Jam Chuck – Wood Lathe Magic Trick
The jam chuck is our “unseen” partner in the wood bowl making process that helps us, bowl woodturners, look like magicians. When someone picks up a bowl looking for an obvious lathe connection point and says something like, “how was this made?” We have the jam chuck to thank for this wonderful trick. The jam […]
10 Bowl Turning Basics – Important FAQs Answered
Bowl turning basics are important steps in developing and honing bowl turning skills. Sometimes it feels awkward asking questions, but that’s why we’re here. Many bowl turning basics need to be addressed, learned and understood. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to learn everything all at once, instead, build up your knowledge bank of bowl turning […]
3 Surprising Round Nose Scraper Hacks – Fix Inside Curves
Have you wondered why a round nose scraper is useful for turning wood bowls? I know I did. Afterall, it’s a scraper and scrapers can do more harm than good sometimes. However, a round nose scraper is a valuable tool for fine-tuning the inside curves of a wood bowl. The catch is, you need to […]
Live Edge Bowl – 10 Secrets For Turning Success
Live edge bowl turning is especially fun, exciting and the end results can be visually stunning. Of all the bowls I’ve turned, nothing gets the same excited and positive response like natural edge bowls. Making a natural or live edge bowl is like displaying an elegant cross-section of a beautiful tree for all to see. […]
Wolverine Vari-Grind Jig – Illustrated Guide Bowl Gouge Sharpening
When I first got my Oneway Wolverine Vari-Grind System, adjusting the Wolverine Vari-Grind Jig was confusing. After doing some research, I learned how to make the Wolverine Vari-Grind Jig work for a variety of bowl gouge sharpening grinds. So how do you adjust the Wolverine Vari-Grind Jig? Three variables need to be set to make […]
Wood Lathe Maintenance Checklist – 7 Areas to Maintain
Wood lathe maintenance needs to be a routine habit almost like the frequency of sharpening a bowl gouge. Yes, it may seem mundane, but this essential practice can be quick and will keep your wood lathe up and running for years to come. If you aren’t sure of all the parts of a wood lathe, […]
Wood Lathe Faceplate – Never Do This – 8 Things
The wood lathe faceplate can be one of the most secure ways to attach wood to the lathe. However, there are some precautions, also that need to be incorporated with a wood lathe faceplate. What is a wood lathe faceplate? A wood lathe faceplate makes a secure mechanical attachment between a lathe and a wood […]
Bowl Gouge Vs Spindle Gouge Difference Explained
What is the difference between a bowl gouge vs spindle gouge? The bowl gouge flute is curved with wings and designed for turning wood bowls. A spindle gouge has a more open flat flute and is best used for details and spindle turnings. I remember when I first started turning there were so many terms […]
14 Ways To Avoid Grain Tear Out With Wood Bowl
How can I avoid grain tear out on a wood bowl and get a good smooth final surface? Wood bowl grain tear out can be frustrating. There are many ways to address this issue including using sharp tools, cutting with the supported grain, speeding up the lathe, changing angles, and even treating the surface. This […]
Vari-Grind Jig Setup Oneway Wolverine Sharpening System
Vari-Grind jig setup is easy and straightforward, but a couple key factors must be addressed before sharpening a bowl gouge. When the Vari-Grind Jig Setup arrives, it is not ready to immediately use. A properly adjusted base needs to be created. This base may be portable or fixed to a work surface. Why Vari-Grind You […]
