Riding the Bevel – Bowl Gouge Technique Explained
“Riding the Bevel” is said over and over among woodturners. But what does riding the bevel really mean? This article is going to explain the ubiquitous woodturning term – riding the bevel. Before I explain riding the bevel in detail let me simply explain that this term is used to describe the purest, most clean-cut […]
Wood Bowl Tenon Removal – 3 Easy Ways
Bowl tenon removal is one of the last steps to finishing a wood bowl. After a properly formed tenon has done its job, its no longer needed and must to be removed from the soon-to-be-finished bowl. Depending on the final bowl foot design, some of the tenon areas may become incorporated in the bowl base. […]
Bowl Gouge Technique – 4 Turning Cuts To Master (Push, Pull, Scrape, Shear-Scrape)
I remember when I first started turning bowls. With the bowl blank spinning on the lathe, the feeling of approaching the tool rest with the gouge was a bit intimidating. How am I supported to present the bowl gouge? The bowl blank has a way of telling you when things aren’t quite right. But luckily, […]
6 Perfect Wood Bowl Bottom – Techniques
The bowl bottom is so critically important to wood bowl turning. In a well-made bowl, the curve flows smoothly and evenly from the side walls to the gracefully curved concave bowl bottom. When that bowl bottom isn’t smooth or flowing is when we usually take notice. After our fingers glide across the bowl’s rim, our […]
Four Jaw Chuck – How To Use Bowl Chuck Wood Lathe
We need to celebrate the four-jaw bowl chuck, because it is a spectacular tool! This bowl chuck is a must for any serious bowl turner. Turning is easy and safe with the four-jaw wood chuck’s underlying advantages of stability, strength, and ease of use. We will explore the integration of the four-jaw chuck in the […]
Jet 1221vs Lathe Review for Wood Bowl Turning
The Jet 1221vs lathe (vs stands for variable speed) fills a much-needed gap between small not-so-powerful and more expensive large wood bowl turning lathes. This lathe is an ideal wood lathe for the beginner to advanced wood bowl turner working with pieces up to 12 inches in diameter. Jet 1221vs Lathe Specifications Max Swing or […]
Wood Bowl Crack Fix Secrets – Woodturning Repairing Cracks
It’s hard to think of anything other than a wood bowl crack as a wood bowl turner’s number one enemy. A wood bowl crack appearance can make grown men cry and draw attention away from an otherwise perfectly turned wood bowl. To prevent and repair cracks in wood turned bowls, we need to understand better […]
Micro Bevel Gouge – Wood Bowl Turning Secret Weapon
The micro bevel gouge may be a new term for you. Some people call this a bottom feeder as well. If this is true and you’re a wood bowl turner, this article is going to be a special treat for you. Let me explain the benefits and advantages of turning wood bowls while incorporating a […]
10 Tool Marks Tricks – Wood Bowl – Understand Fix Remove
Removing tool marks? Who cares? I remember my early bowls so clearly. The pride and joy of simply making a bowl-like shape far exceeded the need to fuss over a perfectly smooth surface. As time went on, those pesky tool marks, grooves, hills, valleys, and occasional gouge divots needed to be addressed. My bowls didn’t […]
Supported Cut Wood Grain – Bowl Gouge Cut Direction
The supported cut and bowl gouge cut direction is initially a big hurdle to jump in wood bowl turning for some, myself included. I think part of the reason for the confusion is the fact that there are so many not-so-helpful phrases thrown around about bowl gouge cutting direction. “Oh, just be sure you cut […]