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Face Plate or Chuck
While faceplates are the simplest, most reliable
method of holding a block of wood for turning,
chucks can also be used. A chuck is not a
requirement but is handy when working on more
than one piece at a time. Rather than removing
screws, you simply open the chuck and change
workpieces. The most popular ones are four jaw
scroll chucks with a variety of jaws to
accommodate different size tenons. Most also
come with a screw chuck as well.
Wood Selection
Firewood is the cheapest, most widely available
stock to use while learning to turn bowls. Develop
skill with each tool before attempting to make a
finished piece. It is best to start with dry wood,
without worrying about drying or distortion. Once
turning becomes comfortable, try green wood,
which cuts very easily. As the turner gains
experience, he or she will find extraordinary grain
and figure in the form of burls, crotches and bark
inclusions.
Checks and Cracks
Green wood will check and crack. For best results,
leave logs in as long lengths as you can handle. As
the material starts to dry, surface cracks will
develop on the ends of the log. Cut off two to three
inches and you should find good, sound wood.
Also, cut the log in half along the pith to avoid
having it in the finished piece. Most checks radiate
from the pith. As you turn bowls from green wood,
make sure you maintain a consistent wall thickness
throughout the piece. Leaving a piece thick in some
areas and thin in others will cause the wood to dry
unevenly and promote checks and cracks.
Distortion
Distortion is a problem associated with turning
green wood. It will vary from one type of wood to
the next. Typically, fruitwoods tend to distort more
than others do. It also varies with the time of year
the tree was cut and how the logs are stored.
Tools for Bowl Turning
The deep fluted bowl gouge is the most essential
and versatile tool for most bowl and faceplate style
turning. The bowl gouge is heavier and easier to
control than other types of gouges. It also allows
removal of wood much faster and with less
vibration than other gouges. Most average sized
bowl work can be accomplished with a 3/8" or 1/2"
bowl gouge. A 1/4" bowl gouge is best suited for
smaller bowls and light finishing cuts. Larger 3/4"
and 1" bowl gouges are only used for extremely
large pieces.
Large domed scrapers can also be used to help
clean up the interior surfaces of bowls. A light touch
with the scraper slightly tilted will eliminate some of
the ridges left by a bowl gouge.