This bowl is titled experimental since I've taken on a type of woodturning I've never done before. Yet I documented the process enough to be sure I could pass on to you, the reader, enough insight for you to make one of your own!
This bowl is made by turning a whole piece of log on its side, and this presents the woodturner with many obstacles to overcome, starting with the mounting of the log to the lathe, and ending with the fact that the bowl will present two large knots (which are the centre of the log, a part of the wood we try to avoid mostly in woodturning for its tendency to crack while drying), with a few more surprises between those.
The skill level you will need for this project is low to medium, and it has just a few more points to be aware of while turning than your normal bowl-turning technique.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Mounting your log
Since this turning will be done on a whole log, instead of what we turners call a 'blank', it presents a few unique problems to overcome. Branches, uneven bark and the general shape of the log might prevent us from simply mounting the log and spin it freely.
First, if the length of your longest diagonal on your log is longer than the swing of your lathe (mine is a 12-inch roughly 300mm - swing lathe), you will need to trim the edges of the log so it will spin without hitting the lathe bed.
Next we need to find the centre of the log by width and length (using one of two rulers), once we decide which side will be our top (that side will get tapped with the drive centre) and which is our bottom (will be held by the tailstock with a live centre), we can tap our drive centre into the log (some like to flatten a spot for this, or even drill a small indentation using a forstner bit, but if the bark is not too thick, you can just hammer the drive centre to it well and make sure it grabs wood).
Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2023 de The Home Handyman.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2023 de The Home Handyman.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
SLEEP IN STYLE
This queen bed has a low profile yet it still has some unique design aspects. I used a hardwood and that made this project a little more difficult, but overall, I'm happy with how it turned out.
Paint roller tip for clean corners
When painting a room, I've found that wrapping a small sandwich bag around the roller's edge works wonders for clean corners.
Cable organiser using toilet paper rolls
Here's a clever little hack to keep your cables neat and tidy.
Metal cutting tools for home projects
I'm looking to get into metalworking and want to start with a few basic home projects, like making small furniture items and maybe even some sculptures.
Pleasurable plumbing
I just wanted to express my appreciation for your recent article on DIY plumbing fixes.
MAKE SOME NOISE!
Are you ready to embark on a musical adventure and create your very own drum kit from recycled materials? Get ready to unleash your creativity and make some noise with this fun and eco-friendly DIY project. Let’s dive into the step by-step guide and bring your mini band to life!
DIY HOME APPLIANCE REPAIR
From the whirring of the washing machine to the gentle hum of the refrigerator, our trusty home appliances keep our households running smoothly. But what happens when these essential gadgets start to falter?
EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR A PEST-FREE HOME
Pests, those unwelcome guests, can turn our homes into uncomfortable environments, disrupting our peace and posing health risks.
COMMON SEALANTS FOR DIY USE
By familiarising themselves with the diverse array of sealants available, mastering proper application techniques, and prioritising safety at every step, DIY'ers and homeowners in South Africa can tackle sealing projects with confidence and achieve lasting results that enhance the comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics of their homes.
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF ANGLE GRINDERS
In the world of DIY, few tools are as versatile and indispensable as the angle grinder. From cutting and grinding to polishing and sharpening, this powerhouse tool is a must have for any homeowner or DIY enthusiast.
