Is That a New Hat?

I love turning bowls. It is fun, I can make something beautiful in a few hours and they are useful! They also make great gifts. When people I know are getting married, I usually take the time to turn a large elegant bowl with the wedding date on the bottom; these gifts have all been well received. I have turned bowls for each of my kids from wood salvaged from the big elm tree that grew outside of their childhood home. I’ve also turned bowls for many a charity silent auction.

But apparently there are limits to the number of wooden bowls a person can use or want or store. Whereas in the past when I’ve given my children a wooden bowl for a birthday or a holiday and their faces glowed with happiness, now their countenance seems to fall. I see the “Where in the world are we going to put THIS bowl?” thought cross their minds.

Yes, I believe it has gotten to the point that if I give one of my progeny one more wooden bowl this Christmas, I may be wearing it home on my head.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

Featured Videos

Turning a Closed Form Bowl

Learn the basics of how to make a closed form bowl on the lathe. A closed form bowl has an interior that is bigger than the mouth opening. Ernie demonstrates this process using a glue block to secure the work piece, but you could also use a four-jaw chuck or a vacuum chuck.

Parts of a Lathe

Learn the names and functions of each part of a woodworking lathe. You’ll learn the answers to questions about lathes, such as: How is lathe speed controlled? How is the wood supported by the lathe? Is a heavier lathe better than a light weight lathe? What is a lathe banjo? What are the ways?