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I have seen manta ray bowls but thought it would be fun to make something different so I pulled some pictures of the sting rays we saw at Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman. The last picture is the model for my bowl!

It is walnut with an insert of red cedar that served as the center of the bowl and the 3 legged base. I got my share of practicing carving on this project. The 5th photo is how I turned it to start and then the cutting off of the top and bottom rings was hairy. I broke the upper fin 3 times from cutting and power carving but managed to save it and the break is pretty well hidden. Thank God for epoxy!!!

It finished up at 8" diameter and 4 1/2" high. The lid has a brass orientation pin and bushing to keep the lid positioned correctly. The eyes were supposed to be ebony and ivory and I have some that I bough in Ohio at the Warther museum. I put it away in a safe place and I still cannot find it!!!!! So I had to improvise and these eyes are black and white Corian.

It is finished with satin lacquer.

What do you think I should call him? He needs a name!! I was thinking of Steve to remember Steve Irwin!!

Cheers, Jim

Gallery

Comments

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7,008 Posts
That is one very AWESOME bowl!

Beautiful… and Unique…

I got the Point. :)

Thank you!
 

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29 Posts
Very cool bowl Jim….looks amazing…awesome job.
 

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332 Posts
Absolutely fabulous mate, no doubt about top 3 for this beautie :)

As for a name???? well what about plain old Ray ::)
Pete
 

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841 Posts
Very creative-you've outdone yourself! Very nice job.
 

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Wow, you've taken turning to a whole new level!
 

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37 Posts
Hey Jim very cool. Would like to see this in person. Your thought process is very different and I like it.
 

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All it needs now is some liner inside to ware as a hat :)
 

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1,675 Posts
The resemblance of your bowl and photo six is spot on….great creativity…well done
 

· In Loving Memory
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365 Posts
That is a beauty Jim, definitely taken the RAY bowls to a new level. I go with Pete for the name.
 

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What a unique way to combine your various talents as a woodworker Jim. I think Ray is beautiful but can he swim? LOL!!
 

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WowZa, Jim! That is incredible!
 

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What the heck Jim, you buy a new tool and you have to play with it. I can see a good deal of carving on the top also. Nice detail work. Very creative. I would have to ask, what kind of food goes in that bowl? LOL
 

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Jim, That is awesome!!! I thought it looked like that fur hat that Debbie P wears…lol Another amazing job buddy
 

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Boy some of you guys just blow me away. What a piece. I don't think I will ever catch up.
 

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Thanks you all for the nice comments. This was in the works for 6 months and I was so careful after breaking it a few times.
hi Buster and Randy, My wife said it looked like a hat too!!

Hi Dave, that would be M&M's NO ice cream, Roger!!!!!!!!!!!

hi Pete and Bob. I think RAY will be his name!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Ron. I'll bring it to the Guild meeting, but I won't pass it around like the chips and dip in the bowl at the last meeting!!!!!!!!! I'd hate to see that fin broken now!!

Cheers, Jim
 

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4,010 Posts
really cool way to shape this jim, i really like it….
 

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Incredible work Jim. The real life likeness to a Stingray is quite amazing, you would almost expect it to swim away if it was put in the water.
Really impressive project. Maybe his name is "Stan The Man Ta Ray" Or Ray.

Regards,

Cliff.
 

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169 Posts
Awesome Jim !!!! Really creative and well executed.
 
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