The only bowls that I have seen that had a uniform thickness throughout, are 'earthquake' bowls by Larry Karlin of Roseburg, OR. They are round on the bottom to rock if there is an earthquake. The foot on a bowl will add thick spots, or you will have a flat bottom with a rather sharp angle in the transition area, which won't look or feel good. robo hippy
Those two dimensions give the three dimensional piece its form. Try one.
Hi Derek
I think I weathered the storm, but the shovelling? That is an entirely different matter.
I agree that differing thicknesses can lend interest to various areas of a bowl or other form. The thing that I strive for is the consistent thickness I want in a particular area, say the rim or the side or the bottom. Each requires subtle changes in technique. For me, I like to know if I am coming closer to my personal ideal. So if I can find that out best by cutting every fifitieth or so bowl in two, why not?
One of the things this thread demonstrates, I believe, is the individual approaches we have to the way we turn. I think we are, as a group, better for it. At least I am having fun. :-) Me and Monty Python, in search of the holy grail.
I have two kinds of trash. Some are the piecs with which I'm not happy. I cut these in half to learn what went wrong. I actually keep these around for awhile as show and tells. The others are good pieces that I cut in half to learn how a good piece looks. I keep these too for show and tell. Many of these bounce around the shop for years. Eventually, they all find the fire wood pile.
As far as thickness is concerned, some pieces want to be consistent and others want various thicknesses. It depends on the design.
As others have said, the most important part of this is that we are making trash. We all need to occasionally push the limits of our abilities to fine tune our skills.
Joe Fleming - San Diego
I couldn't agree more. This is my fun time, my enjoyment. If I had to rely on turning for a living, I would starve to death, and that certainly would be no fun.
You know Darrell, you may have given the inspiration I need to whack a bowl in half;
"Sweet Concord, you shall not have died in vain!!"
Robert
before you cut it in half, bore a couple of 3/4" or 1" holes in the bottom, one on each side of where you plan to cut.. if you're gonna cut a bowl in half, might as well get turn some handles and have a couple of scoops..
mac
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