Popular Woodworking 2007-02 № 160, страница 65

To set up to turn a natural-edge bowl, the workpiece is mounted between cutting, and you should be using the low side of the gouge to cut (that is, the centers with a spur drive in the headstock and a live center in the tailstock. part of the edge most directly supported by the toolrest).

As the piece spins, you can see the shape of the outside curve of the limb (this will be the rim of the piece), surrounded by a ghost image of the entire limb section.

Getting a clean cut and a smooth curve when alternately cutting wood and air can be difficult. You must slice across the irregularity, rather than bouncing along on it. Instead of moving the whole tool forward, try using your left hand to hold the tool firmly down against the toolrest in one spot. Then ...

... lever the tool across the cut. Use the leverage the handle affords by holding it toward the end with your right hand (my right hand is close in only so both hands can be seen in the photo). Swing smoothly through the cut.

... until the tool exits the cut. Then move your left (fulcrum) hand, and repeat. Keep the toolrest close to the workpiece, and keep your gouge very sharp. Faster lathe speed will also help, but be careful not to exceed a safe speed for your lathe and for the size of the workpiece. Remem ber, th is kind of turning tends to be more out of balance than regular bowls, even when the rounding has been completed.

Continue shaping the outside of the bowl. Keep the tool sharp and pay attention to controlling it. Push up the side of the bowl (into the cut), not toward the axis (into the workpiece).

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