Wooden Bowl Making In 3 Steps
The process of turning natural wood bowls is a rather engaging and multi-step process, which can be summarized into three main steps:
- Timber selection and processing
- Making, storing & managing bowl blanks
- Bowl turning & finishing
Lets look into each step in detail.
In step 1 we are looking for the right kind and size of trees to turn into bowls. For us
here at Whiskeyjack that means selecting Maple and Birch trees from our own property that are healthy and have the right diameter (14" - 24").
These trees are then harvested and removed from our forest and taken down to our timber processing area where they are cut up with a chainsaw into rough blocks.
In step 2 these blocks are taken to the shop and processed into what we in the
turning game call "Bowl Blanks".
These bowl blanks are then coated with a sealant (we use white glue) and placed into storage for up to two years to allow the moisture in each piece, which often starts in the 25% - 32% range to evaporate slowly over time which reduces cracking and splitting. Once the bowls reach a moisture level of 12% or less they are ready for being made into bowls.
In Step 3 we are selecting a bowl blank that we think will either be able to be turned into the bowl shape we have in mind, or... sometimes you start with one idea but end up with something rather different once the wood starts "talking to me".
Here things go from slow and steady to fast and furious. Even a very large bowl can be turned in a few hours, but one needs to remember that for each hour of turning their is another 1 1/2 hours of sanding so a 12" - 16" salad bowl can easily take up to 6 hours to turn and sand, plus the time and waiting one does to get the wood ready to be turned which can easily be measured in years.
When all of the steps are completed and completed correctly, and with high quality then the results to me as the maker and you and the bowl owner are simply outstanding.
Written by:
Gerry L. Wiebe, Founder & Maker
Whiskeyjack Bowl Turning Inc.