A lot of LJs, after seeing my work, asked for a video demonstration of how to make a natural edge goblet. I posted on YouTube two videos (part 1 and 2). As it turns out, dealing with talking and camera while turning leads to loss of concentration. I managed to destroy the natural edge but I did get a goblet and you can see how I made it.
Sorry for he slightly rough editing and not so perfect camera work (my father is still learning the craft).
Alin
Part 1
Part 2
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida






















17 comments so far
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7036 posts in 1194 days
posted 717 days ago
Good show Alin!
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
DAN
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6439 posts in 877 days
posted 717 days ago
Great blog ! you made it look easy. Thanks for posting
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
dennis mitchell
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3789 posts in 1209 days
posted 717 days ago
Thanks! Makes me want to run out and get a Lathe. I’m amazed how thin you can turn things.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
rikkor
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11335 posts in 769 days
posted 717 days ago
You do make it look easy. Thanks for making the video.
MsDebbieP
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14158 posts in 1055 days
posted 717 days ago
great demonstration and video work!
how do you get the final cut done without the delicate item flying across the room?
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Alin Dobra
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316 posts in 782 days
posted 717 days ago
Thanks everybody.
Dennis, on some woods (fruit trees) it is easier than others. I have heard about people that can do 1/64” walls. Mine, by mistake, is about 1/64” in the lower part. I think with a scraping cut I could get all of it 1/64”. Also, what you must have in mind is that wet wood turns differently than dry wood. I do not think you can go below 1/4” with dry wood.
Dan and Rikkor, it is like riding a bicicle (down the hill at 100mph) easy. It is mostly a matter of practice and guts. I mentioned in a post that I destroyed almost anything I made in the first 6 months. To be honest, it was a surprise for me to see the video; I realized that I am quite confident with that enormous bowl gouge. I did not see any significant hesitation (when I turn I’m way too focused to notice these things).
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Alin Dobra
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316 posts in 782 days
posted 717 days ago
Debbie,
After you get to about 1/4”, any mistake (catch) usually means a ruined piece. It is not only the last cut that is the problem. Once you get good enough not to catch the tool, the only danger is going through the walls. Unless I have a defect on the stem, it is usually not a problem at all to make it so thin.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Bradford
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787 posts in 717 days
posted 717 days ago
WOW!! That was on the inside of a log? It’s beautiful. You make it look so simple and matter-of-a-fact. Thanks.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.
mot
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4902 posts in 931 days
posted 716 days ago
Nice turning and tutorial, Alin!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Mark Mazzo
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343 posts in 807 days
posted 716 days ago
Alin,
Excellent tutorial. You are indeed very confident with that gouge! Even without the natural edge bark, the finished product is very nice.
-- Mark, Webster New York, Visit my website at http://thecraftsmanspath.com
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 960 days
posted 716 days ago
Well done Alin, like everyone said before me – you do make it look a lot easier than it is.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
oscorner
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4572 posts in 1205 days
posted 715 days ago
I enjoyed watching you turn that gobblet very much. Thank you!
-- Jesus is Lord!
Russel
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2057 posts in 833 days
posted 713 days ago
It is always fascinating watching someone turn when they know what they’re doing. I’m amazed that you can get something so fine and delicate from such big tools. That’s control.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
SPalm
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948 posts in 776 days
posted 713 days ago
I finally got to see this. Wow, that was great. You are a confident turner.
Was that a ‘standard’ large gouge or something else? I didn’t know they made holders for sharpening them. I always just did it by hand. That sharpening guide looks great.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Alin Dobra
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316 posts in 782 days
posted 713 days ago
Thanks everybody for your comments.
Russel, it turns out that the larger the tool the easier to control (to a point since it is getting too heavy). I use a 5/8” (1/2” in you are in England since the inside diameter is measured) bowl gouge. The trick to control the tool is to support it on the hip and move the tool from the whole body not the hands (you can see this happening in the videos). A large tool also dampens vibration (always a good thing).
SPalm, I have not turned for long enough to find time to learn how to sharpen by hand. For the first 6 months of turning I got very frustrated since my tools were never sharp. I bought a good grinder and the Woolverine system that One Way is making to sharpen properly. I’m very happy since then (very consistent grind; I do not loose much time since I can put the gouge in while the grinder starts).
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Larry
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3 posts in 673 days
posted 626 days ago
Just bought my first lathe and now really fired up about using it. Great video! How long can a tree be cut and still be used as green? or is it more the moisture? Thanks!!
-- Larry, Rose HIll
teenagewoodworker
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2481 posts in 662 days
posted 623 days ago
great video Alin. after seeing this i can’t wait to get my first lathe. i love to how you always emphasis saftey such as eye protection and using a sharp tool. thanks for the great video!