Bowl Turning 201 -Round Bottom Calabash - Q2-2024

Requirements and general information

• Students must be members of NWWT
• Class will be limited to 7 students - one per lathe
• Instructors are experienced NWWT members
• 4 Sharpening systems will be available

• All wood will be supplied
• Students bring their own PPE (face shields, dust protection)
• Coffee and snacks will be provided, but bring your own lunch

Course Objectives:  

The primary objective of this course is to refine and expand your skills in the finer details of bowl turning.  When you look at a bowl, your eye is very discerning.  You will learn optimal bowl shapes, rim designs, and base options.  Skills learned here will help you advance to the next level of expertise. 

Each student should complete one piece in class. Sanding and finish application included, time permitting.

Prerequisite Skills

If you have not yet developed the skills below or are unsure, please attend an open shop and talk with one of the helpers before registering for this course.

• Ability to prepare and mount a bowl blank between centers, and in a chuck using a tenon or a recess
• Ability to shape the outside and inside of a bowl using a bowl gouge
• Ability to use a scraper for finishing the inside of a bowl
• Ability to complete a basic bowl except for sanding and applying finish

Agenda:

Morning

• Tune-up/sharpen tools for the class with help from the staff.
• Presentation on advanced design and form concepts, shape, rims, and bottoms as relates to a Calabash bowl
• Review of bowl gouge grinds: 40/40, traditional (50°), bottom (65°-75°), Ellsworth, etc
• Mounting options: when to use a tenon or recess
• Turn Calabash bowl through the exterior finish-cutting stage with a green blank

Lunch Hour:
Additional Demonstrations and Q&A session during lunch

Afternoon

• Turn a jam chuck to cut and finish the round bottom 
• Learn methods of cutting thinner wall thickness
• Learn methods of scraping thin-walled bowls
• Sanding and finishing as time permits

Tools to bring