My first bowl!

Very cool, especially as a first attempt! I’m afraid I can’t help you with the “bellybutton” problem other than to note that I’ve seen several turners use a sanding flapper or shaped attachment to their drill or rotary tool.

Best of luck and keep up the great work.

-- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO

great first go!
as with the “pimple” it depends on the bottom of your bowl. if it is flat you could use a square scraper or a bowl gouge. but if its curvy you could use your gouge or a round nose scraper.
i think the gouge would be the better option as it would give you a better finish.

hope this helps

-- BRODY. NSW AUSTRALIA -arguments with turnings are rarely productive-

Great first bowl. Nothing wrong with it. Just part of the design, then you move on.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Very nice! I’ve been trying to make a good first bowl, too, and I’m just terrible at it, so I can really appreciate your work here.

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

Very nice for a first try.

I’m not sure what you mean by “bellybutton”, do you mean the bottom?

I usually make the bottom a little concave to make it more stable.

-- -** 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

”One question though, my bowl has a bit of a “bellybutton”, how do I address the problem on the next bowl?”

you are refering to the little rise in the very middle of the bowl aren’t you?

-- BRODY. NSW AUSTRALIA -arguments with turnings are rarely productive-

Thanks all for the encouragement. The “bellybutton” is on the inside of the bowl. I didn’t have a bowl gouge at the time I did this. Darn, I guess I’ll have to go back to the tool store. ;)

-- Rob Central Coast of Ca.

Great first bowl. I haven’t tried natural edge yet but I’m dying to try. I use a round nose scraper to knock down the belly button.

-- Bill from Lithia Springs, GA I love the smell of sawdust in the morning.

Nice job for a first attempt. As for the bottom definately get a bowl gouge. To tell if the bottom is flat put the tool rest across the front of the piece while it is chucked up. Shine a light infront of the tool rest slightly below it towards the bowl. When the shadow is straight across the bottom is flat.

-- Dale

Looks cool nice bowl keep em comming

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Again, thanks all for the kind words. This really is a great community and website!
Dale, great tip about the light, one I will use the next time.
There will definitely be more bowls in my future!

-- Rob Central Coast of Ca.