Lathe-turned wood bowl

How to make it

1. 

   1

   Mount the blank

   Find the center and screw the faceplate to what will be the top of the bowl. Thread it onto the lathe.

2. 

   2

   Start slow

   Set the speed low, around 500 rpm for an 8 in blank. Spin it by hand first to check it clears the tool rest. Stand to the side when you switch on.

3. 

   3

   Shape the outside

   Rub the gouge's bevel on the wood and cut from the bottom toward the rim. Make a tenon on the bottom sized for your chuck's jaws.

4. 

   4

   Flip it

   Stop the lathe. Remove the faceplate and clamp the tenon in the chuck.

5. 

   5

   Hollow the inside

   Cut from the rim toward the center, bevel rubbing. Stop the lathe and check the wall thickness with calipers. Aim for about 3/8 in all around.

6. 

   6

   Sand at low speed

   Swing the tool rest out of the way. Sand from 120 to 320 grit with the lathe running slowly.

7. 

   7

   Finish it

   Wipe on mineral oil with a paper towel, never a cloth that can wrap. Rub in beeswax and buff.

8. 

   8

   Clean up the foot

   Reverse the bowl on a jam chuck to turn off the tenon, or sand it into a neat foot. Set it on the table and admire it.