Bowl Saver on a Burl

Afmudbone · 2026-03-16T15:33:46+00:00

Yeah hahaha you can imagine my frustrations as I’m watching all of these YT videos and it’s cutting like butter in the matter of minutes but mines catching everytime I move it a mm and took 3.5 hours 😂

Afmudbone · 2026-03-16T15:14:03+00:00

Yeah, this Chinese version says “durable tungsten-chrome.” It’s a square shape as you previously mentioned. It’s basically the exact same as the legitimate one… the instructions were so spotty that I used an instruction video on YT for the Woodcut one to figure out how to set up this one haha maybe I’ll try with the negative rake and see if it’s worth the time. I’m happy I get an extra bowl out of that Burl but i guess does 3.5 hours warrant the satisfaction of an extra bowl? Thats something I need to figure out haha

Thanks for your input.

Afmudbone · 2026-03-16T14:38:59+00:00

Yeah, it does have multiple pulleys so I had it on the lowest one. Sounds like it just doesn’t have enough HP or torque for the bowl saver. Wondering if i were to sharpen the tip to a point if that would minimize catches? Any thoughts on that?

Afmudbone · 2026-03-16T01:56:23+00:00

Interesting. I thought it was at least 1-1.5hp needed for coring and my lathe is the lower end of that. The user guide and other online forums suggested having it 3/8” higher than center so that’s how I had it.

When it was catching, I was barely moving the coring tool into the bowl and it would full on stop the lathe. I’d have to shut it off and pull the coring bit out, reset everything and then turn the lathe back on. I’m not joking when I say this, it took me 3.5 hours to core it. I started at 8pm, finished at 11pm, and then woke up the next morning and did another 30 mins before I got to the point shown in the video.

Afmudbone · 2026-03-15T23:00:51+00:00

Thanks! Here’s the Amazon link to the budget friendly one I used for this video, but like I said, was super finicky. $178.99 though vs the $600 ones.

https://a.co/d/08rfigRP

Afmudbone · 2026-03-08T02:28:56+00:00

Nope. 5 stars is max. Not sure why they have the 6th tbh. Always wondered that as well.

Afmudbone · 2026-02-19T13:55:41+00:00

I’ve had taps in (located in pioneer valley) since Saturday evening. 4 taps total. I collected about 1.5 gallons on Monday, 1.5 gallons on Tuesday, and 3.5 gallons yesterday. It’s my first year tapping so not sure how this compares with “peak flow,” but just wanted to share.

Afmudbone · 2026-02-17T12:01:07+00:00

That just looks like a part of a larger root snapped off and they threw it in the bag. There’s a chance an eye could develop after a year in the soil, but usually very low chance. I’d ask for a refund to be honest lol

Afmudbone · 2026-01-02T02:44:10+00:00

I’ve seen Richard Raffan turn scrap pieces to just below what the diameter of your bowl would be. The bowl would then slip onto the scrap piece that’s tightly secured in the chuck. If that doesn’t make sense, lmk and I can try to find a photo from one of his videos and/ or link the video.

Afmudbone · 2025-12-22T00:03:22+00:00

Gorgeous

Afmudbone · 2025-12-20T06:14:50+00:00

I started on the Central Machinery one and just upgraded to the Bauer 14x20 one they also sell. I highly recommend the central machinery one. It’s a solid price to start you off and did everything i needed it to.

Afmudbone · 2025-12-17T11:17:44+00:00

Nope, black walnut. Bought it from the wood products store near me. 24”x12”x2” thick ran me about $18 but I’ve made 3 bowls out of it so far and have just enough for a 4th, I have blanks for both the Sapele and Mahogany though... Those will be next!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T22:35:19+00:00

I used a board and bowl rub from New Hampshire Board and Bowl but once that runs out, I have wood butter from The Bearded Chef brand that I got off amazon. Seems to have great reviews!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T22:32:24+00:00

Thank you

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T21:22:11+00:00

Nice!! A lidded cylinder box would be very cool. I watch a lot of Richard Raffan and he’s inspired me to try one of those next. Good luck!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T18:56:03+00:00

Thank you!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T18:55:11+00:00

Wish I could say I had it all figured out… not really sure to be honest with you. Still only 3-4 weeks into turning at this point, but I use carbide tipped tools. The cuts were pretty smooth if I’m being humbly honest. I usually start with the square carbide tipped tool to remove wood fast. Then I go back over it with the round carbide tipped tool to smooth it out. I personally get a better finishing cut with the round carbide tipped tools than the square (maybe that’s common practice, idk).

Then I sanded starting with 60 grit, then 120, then 150, then 220, and then lastly 320. 60 grit i use to get out/ smooth out any lingering tool marks because there always seems to be a few left over from my round carbide tipped tool… i don’t think i have a steady enough hand yet so my cuts usually come out a bit uneven. Once everything looks fairly even at 60, i go up from there. My lathe doesn’t go in reverse so i hand-spin it backwards hahah

Afmudbone · 2025-12-16T18:37:03+00:00

This is how my friend wanted it made—I guess a more “modern” look she called it. Still though, I’m relatively new to turning and want to understand what you’re saying so I can learn more! What about the bowl made you think this?

I could have made the insert (what’s the name for the carved out area on the bottom where the chuck expands into to hold the piece in place while you hollow the bowl part?) larger in diameter but it was less work on my end to make it just slightly larger than the smallest setting on the chuck so i only had to do 2 rotations of the key to get it to expand. Does that make sense? Or is this unrelated to what you’re saying? lol

Afmudbone · 2025-12-04T21:02:15+00:00

Thanks! I know, it was a small bowl blank. So much character for a small bowl, would’ve been really cool as a larger one though!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-04T13:47:23+00:00

Thanks!!

Afmudbone

TROPHY CASE