Matt Hutchinson
Member
- Messages
- 438
- Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
So I have been terribly negligent in getting some nice pieces of hickory turned. It's been almost an entire year since Larry brought me several sweet chunks of hickory. I finally got to roughing out the largest one a few months ago, so here's some pics.
Of course, I decided to rough out this monster with a nub of a bowl gouge, and I ran out of tool. So I still haven't roughed out the inside. DOH! However, I did finally get a new 3/4" bowl gouge from Doug Thompson....woohoo! But the rough bowl is a block of ice right now, so it may be a while before the rest of it is complete.
Anywho, here's the beginnings of the largest natural edge bowl I have made to date. It started as a blank that was at least 150 lbs. By the time it got on the lathe it was still well over 100 lbs, and I barely was able to clear the headstock with the bark wings. I actually had to chisel a couple areas in order for it to swing clear.
The following pics show how I get a huge rough blank prepared for the lathe. I cut a flat for the faceplate by cutting slots with a chainsaw, then knock them out with a chisel. I follow this with a large forstner bit, leveling an area large enough to mount my 6" faceplate to. I also trim it as close to round as possible, again with the chainsaw, then on the lathe it goes. With a piece this heavy, I really wish I had some type of pulley system or winch! After making sure all areas clear the lathe, I bring up the tailstock, and fire up the lathe at 120 rpms or so.
More pics to follow. Thanks again Larry!!
Hutch
P.S. Almost forgot to say that rough blank was about 23" in diameter.
Of course, I decided to rough out this monster with a nub of a bowl gouge, and I ran out of tool. So I still haven't roughed out the inside. DOH! However, I did finally get a new 3/4" bowl gouge from Doug Thompson....woohoo! But the rough bowl is a block of ice right now, so it may be a while before the rest of it is complete.
Anywho, here's the beginnings of the largest natural edge bowl I have made to date. It started as a blank that was at least 150 lbs. By the time it got on the lathe it was still well over 100 lbs, and I barely was able to clear the headstock with the bark wings. I actually had to chisel a couple areas in order for it to swing clear.
The following pics show how I get a huge rough blank prepared for the lathe. I cut a flat for the faceplate by cutting slots with a chainsaw, then knock them out with a chisel. I follow this with a large forstner bit, leveling an area large enough to mount my 6" faceplate to. I also trim it as close to round as possible, again with the chainsaw, then on the lathe it goes. With a piece this heavy, I really wish I had some type of pulley system or winch! After making sure all areas clear the lathe, I bring up the tailstock, and fire up the lathe at 120 rpms or so.
More pics to follow. Thanks again Larry!!
Hutch
P.S. Almost forgot to say that rough blank was about 23" in diameter.
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