Live Edge Cherry Bowl

Very nice bowl Tim. Unless you have a vacuum chuck you’ll have to make a jam chuck to turn the tenon off the bottom.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

Or you could build a doughnut chuck (eg http://lumberjocks.com/projects/67107 is one made by LJ “harry1”). My understanding of a jam chuck is that it requires a consistent rim (?). Personally, I don’t mind leaving a stub or recess but the turning seems to be deemed more professional without same.

That’s quite the sap wood layer on this bowl !

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

A jam chuck can be turned that fits inside the bowl. Put a layer or two of paper towel between the jam chuck and the bowl to prevent scratches. Bring your tail stock up and center your live center to the center of the bowl and tighten it between the tailstock and headstock. Keep lathe speed slow when parating off the tenon. Sanding can be done off lathe. It’s also possible to pad your chuck with several layers of paper towels and use it for a jam chuck if the bowl isn’t to much bigger than the chuck. There’s a great book out titled “Fixtures and Chucks for Woodturning” by Clarence Green. Lots of great information in that book that will be of help.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

Very nice!! Your one up on me here. I’ve tryed 2 different live edge bowls & lost some of the bark on both. Cut during the summer months I presume!

-- Roger

Hi Darell:

Sounds like a good strategy. I skipped this part and bought a vacuum chuck. Way more expensive by terribly nice to use. My comments were based on how I heard Richard Raffan refer to jam chucks. Sounds like the term is more broadly used . . .

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

Hi, MonteCristo:

One of the things I’ve learned about turning is that there’s more than one way to do something. The only wrong way is an unsafe way. I prefer my vacuum chuck too. Much easier and quicker.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

How did you keep the green wood from cracking after you turned it? I’m having some problems in that department. Any help? Thank you!

-- "They don't want it perfect - they want it SPECIAL"

The sides of this bowl are pretty thick, but the bottom is quite thin. i came close to breaking through, and if you hold it up to the light, you can see a ring of light shine through the bowl on the bottom. I think turning thin helps with cracking, from what I’ve been told. Seems like the bottom might be the most important area to have thin. True?

-- Tim, Myrtle Beach, DrTim@ONeillChiro.com- Just one more tool, that's all I need! :)