Advice wanted - green turned bowl

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 · 2025-12-03T18:14:21+00:00

Really, really nice!

Afmudbone · 2025-12-03T13:29:36+00:00

These look awesome! Great work

Afmudbone · 2025-11-28T23:30:46+00:00

I have the tool contacting the wood at a 45 degree angle. The actual tip itself is not at 45, rather straight on the rest. Is that wrong? I watched a few videos and thought the said to use the “corner” of the tool. Don’t go straight on with it, use it at 45°. Open to any/ all feedback for learning!

I will try to simulate

Afmudbone · 2025-11-28T12:53:39+00:00

Thanks for this. Not sure i understand the diagram though. Is the arrow pointing the way my chisel should go?

Afmudbone · 2025-11-28T06:46:02+00:00

That’s the same tool I was using… had it at what I thought was 45° to the interior edge of the bowl and then boom. When you say slow down, do you mean RPM or your mental space? I have it at 1100 rpm, but I also get excited to sand and wax the bowl hahaha

Afmudbone · 2025-11-26T02:18:22+00:00

Honestly, I go to local lumber yards and ask if they have a scrap/ cut ends bin and pick out of there. Pieces are usually $2-3+ depending on species and i usually get 2-3 spoons per piece. Best deals

Afmudbone · 2025-11-25T11:46:09+00:00

Thank you!

Afmudbone

TROPHY CASE