DIY Network

Ebony-Rimmed Bowl: Preparing the Stock From "Wood Works" episode WWK-706

	The hand-turned sycamore bowl.
	The ebony rim of this turned wood bowl provides a striking contrast to the lighter sycamore.

In this episode of DIY's Wood Works, host David Marks creates a hand-turned bowl from sycamore. The bowl is turned by hand on the lathe and rimmed with ebony using a special laminating process. The curly figure of the English sycamore is showcased by the contemporary shape of this bowl. The laminated rim of exotic ebony adds a dark, rich contrast to the classic design.

In this first segment, David prepares the sycamore and ebony stock and begins the turning process.

Materials:

Sycamore stock
Ebony stock for rim
Alder or scrap-wood for sacrificial blocks
Lathe
Turning faceplate
Turning hand-tools -- gouges, scrapers, parting tool, etc.
Jointer
Drum sander
Band saw
Pneumatic angle grinder
Disc sander
Jig saw
Cordless drill
Circle tracer
Circle template
Calipers; double-sided calipers
Epoxy glue
Cyanoacrylate glue
Clamps
Straight-edge
Compass
Carpenter's pencil
Sandpaper, various grits
Safety glasses or goggles
Protective clothing for wood-turning
Face shield for wood-turning

Safety Alert: Wear protective clothing to protect yourself from flying chips and shavings when woodturning. Also wear a face shield to protect your face and eyes.

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

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Figure A

Preparing the Stock

• David begins by cutting a block from a raw piece of English sycamore using a jig saw. The block is about 11" square and 2" thick.

• Joint one face flat using push blocks to apply good downward pressure so that the face is made perfectly flat (figure A).
  

• Use a circle tracer and mark out the largest possible diameter on the block (figure B). In our case, the circle is 10-1/2" in diameter.

• Use a band-saw to rough-cut the circular shape (figure C), cutting close to the line.

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

• While at the band saw, you can also cut a block of ebony into 1/4" strips. These strips (figure D) are the laminates for the rim of the bowl.

• Drum-sand the ebony strips to a uniform thickness of 3/16".

• The final piece that needs to be cut is the sacrificial block that will be used to fasten the sycamore to the faceplate. Cut a small piece of alder, 3" in diameter and 2" thick (figure E).

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

• Use quick-setting epoxy to join the sacrificial block to the sycamore blank. Mark center-lines on both the sycamore and blank. Use the center-lines to align the sycamore and block (figure F).

• Secure the metal faceplate to the block using screws (figure G).

  Figure F

  Figure G

  
  

  Figure H

• The sycamore bowl will be turned using a one-way 2436 Lathe (figure H), a heavy and versatile lathe. The full length of the bed and the 24" swing of the lathe won't be required for this project, but extra stability of this lathe and the variable speed control will be useful.

• Safety Tip: Once you've mounted the stock on the lathe, stand off to one side, well out of the way, and turn the lathe on to test the fit. It's best to make sure that the stock is secured before you begin working with the tools.
  

• Turning for this bowl begins with a scraper using the tool-rest (figures I and J). To attach the ebony to the rim, you'll want to flatten an area about 2" wide around the face.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  
  

• Reposition the tool-rest near the foot (i.e., bottom) of the bowl blank and use a diamond-shaped parting tool to clean up the base of the bowl (figure K).

• Use calipers to measure and mark the foot of the bowl. The foot should be 4-1/4" (figure L).

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

• Center the calipers around the base and make a mark. Hold a pencil in position at the mark and turn the blank to trace the outer diameter of the foot.

• To mark the outside diameter of the rim, use a handmade circular plexi-glass template. Set the template on the face of the bowl blank and make a mark (figure M). Our template is marked in segments to show how the eight strips of ebony will create the laminated circular rim.

• Rest the pencil on the tool rest so that the point is aligned with the mark from the template. Turn the lathe on slow speed to trace the outer diameter of the rim (figure N).

  Figure M

  Figure N

  
  

  Figure O

• Replace the standard tool-rest with the curved tool rest.

• The next tool used is the super-flute bowl gouge. Using the sharp bowl gouge, shape the outside profile of the bowl. Work around the sides and bottom of the bowl (figure O), stopping to inspect your work periodically. Check for tear-outs. If you encounter any, mark these areas with a pencil, then shape until the pencil lines are gone.
  

• Next, focus on rounding the outside top-edge -- or shoulder -- of the bowl.

• Turning Technique: For this particular application, rotate the bowl-gouge close to the wood so that the bottom edge cuts and the top edge is about 1/8" from the stock (figure P). Rotate the bowl gouge, and gradually rotate the shoulder of the bowl to the line (figure Q).

  Figure Q

  Figure P

  
  

The cutting tool should always be supported by the tool rest before it contacts the wood.

Turning Tips

• Always use the tool rest by placing it in close proximity to the wood.
  
• Never let the tool contact the wood before supporting it on the tool rest.
  
• Always use sharp turning tools. Dull tools can be more dangerous than properly sharpened ones. You may need to re-sharpen a tool more than once during a particular project.
  
• Always "let the wood come to the tool." Don't force the tool into the wood.
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
  Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
  Publisher: Taunton Press
  ISBN: 1561580619
  

  
  Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
  Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
  Publisher: Taunton Press
  ISBN: 1561583456
  

  David Marks Website
  David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com
  

  
  Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composite, Veneers
  Model: 080836878
  Author: Rick Peters
  (2000)
  Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
  Website: www.sterlingpub.com

  Fine Woodworking
  A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
  The Taunton Press Inc.
  Website: www.taunton.com

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Ebony-Rimmed Bowl: Preparing the Stock
  	Ebony-Rimmed Bowl: Laminating Technique
  	Ebony-Rimmed Bowl: Hollowing the Inside and Shaping the Foot
  	Ebony-Rimmed Bowl: Tung-Oil Finish