Bowl Gouge Sharpening Angles – Surprise Answer

What is the best bowl gouge sharpening angle? The “right” bowl gouge angle depends on your personal preference. The gouge bevel angle will determine how you stand, maneuver the tool, and how you create each cut on the lathe. Multiple gouges each with different bevel grind angles can be utilized in different turning situations. Like […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
How To Turn A Wood Bowl Without A Chuck

In this post, I will share with you exactly how to turn a bowl without a chuck. When you turn a bowl without a chuck, there are many special aspects to consider during the process. I will share, in step-by-step detail, exactly how to turn a bowl without a chuck. Undoubtedly, a four-jaw chuck is […]