Thread: How to make wooden bowls...

Kinda takes the fun out of it all doesn't?

This is why I've never bothered buying a bowl-saver.

'Cos regardless of your skill, timber choices, etc., etc., the resulting bowls all look like something spat out in bulk by a factory!

Very interesting thread Yowie.
Perhaps the bowls all look the same, that is true skewdam. However they are still made with a reasonably passable design in as much as they seem to have a consistent wall thickness and a flowing curve on the outside and inside surfaces. While the angular flat sided lip does not do it for me.The fact is, most customers know nothing about good woodturning design. Usually it's only other woodturners who pick up on such detail. Heck! I have seen a lot worse hand turned designed ones. They are also optimising the timber which is a pleasant alternative to the somewhat preposterous propensity peculiar people pursuing pathetic pastimes partake in down this neck "o" the woods. Like selling woodchips to foreigners for less than us locals can even buy firewood! No doubt at a loss to the state coffers.
Good luck to em I say.

I like how the commentator throws words around such as expert and skilled. When in reality its a low skill job compared the bowls turned here by many if not all the turners.

Still its really a propaganda video for the would be customer.

Now I know a little bit more. I need to get a red crayon. Where can I get a red crayon?

The last sentence of the presenter said something that we all can agree on.....no two bowls are ever alike.

I don't mind someone making something out of wood in a mass produced process it adds value to the ones we make individually.

Might need to find out where these are made so that when you want to sell a bowl and a customer ask for a lower price you can send them to this factory to get a mass produced one.

Originally Posted by hughie

I like how the commentator throws words around such as expert and skilled. When in reality its a low skill job compared the bowls turned here by many if not all the turners.

Still its really a propaganda video for the would be customer.

Well it would take a reasonably talented turner (with at least half a clue)to make a bowl of similar design, timber seasoning expertise and sale-able product with an acceptable finish to produce such an item. Wouldn't it?
If you want to get into the real nitty gritty some folk might argue that woodturning in general is a "low skill job" Don't see many millionaire woodturners calling the shots on the big issues these days. Not round here anyway.

Originally Posted by hughie

I like how the commentator throws words around such as expert and skilled. When in reality its a low skill job compared the bowls turned here by many if not all the turners.

Still its really a propaganda video for the would be customer.

you have to give credit where credit is due. not everyone could walk in off the street and run the equipment and get a good result. The design of the bowls cam be worked with if needed. The blanks could be left double thick for more details or different shapes. Many people like a very plain shape and don't criticize everything because it doesn't fit "their" style. Frankly some of the Critiques I have read on this site in my opinion have been made for the purpose of puffing ones own opinion up and not for the guidance of the other. They make AND sell a lot of bowls!

Originally Posted by Christos

Now I know a little bit more. I need to get a red crayon. Where can I get a red crayon?

The last sentence of the presenter said something that we all can agree on.....no two bowls are ever alike.

I don't mind someone making something out of wood in a mass produced process it adds value to the ones we make individually.

Might need to find out where these are made so that when you want to sell a bowl and a customer ask for a lower price you can send them to this factory to get a mass produced one.

My cracking wiltshire ram "Roger" has a red crayon on his underbelly right now as it is the season.
For the machine made bowls to change their designs, it would cost megabucks.
Fear not, just make nice handmade ones with a better more interesting design and market them as that.

Originally Posted by artful bodger

..... Don't see many millionaire woodturners ......

There would be if people sold the items produced for a reasonable price.

Originally Posted by yowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt3ZIVsLUZM

When I went to look at the video, it had been taken down.

Was it of this place? http://www.hollandbowlmill.com/

If so the "hand made bowls" is a bit of a stretch. A bit like Fords are "hand built cars". They do make good bowls that last a long time and provide employment for a bunch of folks in an area where there is little industry.

They also get more money for their plain bowls that I can get for my made one at a time from exotic timber bowls of the same size.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

This is why I've never bothered buying a bowl-saver.

'Cos regardless of your skill, timber choices, etc., etc., the resulting bowls all look like something spat out in bulk by a factory!

I often use it just for coring out excess, you don't have to do inside and outside, nor let the tool govern the shape. You can do inside and outside leaving very thick bowl that can then be shape refined, still saves timber

I agree with you Neil .If you follow the 10% rule ie make the wall thickness 10% of the diameter ,you have plenty of room to shape a well designed bowl and don't end up with about 80% of your bowl blank on the floor as shavings .
Ted