Bowl #3: Purple Heart

That looks great, good choice with the purple heart.

-- Martin ....always count the number of fingers you have before, and after using the saw.

Ok this may sound hokey but here goes.

“The simple things made exceptionally well are the best!” -me

And I certainly don’t mean simple to build. I bet you have some good time in on this one.
I have yet to turn anything. But can’t wait.

My late grandfather turned several very nice bowls I ended up with, so I really appreciate them.
He was also the family member that gave me my first real set of wood chisels.

Good job on the photography too.

Looks great!

-- "So many projects...so little time..." Psalm 23

Good start. Bowls don’t have to be fancy to be useful. Basic bowls get used more too!

Purple Heart finished with oil is going to gradually turn brown. Also you should never use “vegetable” oil for the finish because it does not dry and will eventually go rancid. Use tung oil, Danish oil, processed walnut oil (my preference), or mineral oil (mostly for cutting boards). On small items I use one of the fast drying finishes, like those made by Hut, that you can apply while the item is still on the lathe. If you finish it with a hard finish like Varathane, or a salad bowl finish, it will preserve the color of Purple Heart longer but even that will over the years darken. Also salad bowl finish is non toxic and very durable. I use 3 to 5 coats, buffing with 0000 steel wool between coats.

Some observations that might help. I see a little end grain tearing; often unavoidable. You may need to sand a bit more with a coarser grit (60-80 grit) working your way up to 320 or 400 to get rid of that. I’m not sure what the small circle is in the bottom and it may not be as visible in real life as it is in the photo. Pictures sometimes bring out things you don’t notice otherwise.

Hope that is of some help.

-- Les B, Oregon

Third time was definitely a charm

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Love the bowl, great wood and nice finish!

-- list your handcrafted treasures @ www.generationwoodworks.com for free!

Great work!
Really nice looking project!
Keep up the good work, Thanks for sharing.

-- Robert B. Sabina, Ohio.....

Thanks guys! I heard the vegetable oil is not the best thing to use from a few people now. Les thank you for the advice. Like I said, turning is an art I do not have the amount of patience for yet. Thanks again

-- that WOOD be cool..... JL

hi nice plain bowl love purple heart but it is very expensive here in Ireland it cost me 85 euro for a piece measuring 40 inches by 2 by 6 inches i only use it for making feather rings in segment turning
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