Face Plate or Chuck
While faceplates are the simplest, most reliable method of holding a block of wood for turning, chucks can also be used. A chuck is not a requirement but is handy when working on more than one piece at a time. Rather than removing screws, you simply open the chuck and change workpieces. The most popular ones are four jaw scroll chucks with a variety of jaws to accommodate different size tenons. Most also come with a screw chuck as well.
Wood Selection
Firewood is the cheapest, most widely available stock to use while learning to turn bowls. Develop skill with each tool before attempting to make a finished piece. It is best to start with dry wood, without worrying about drying or distortion. Once turning becomes comfortable, try green wood, which cuts very easily. As the turner gains experience, he or she will find extraordinary grain and figure in the form of burls, crotches and bark inclusions.
Checks and Cracks
Green wood will check and crack. For best results, leave logs in as long lengths as you can handle. As the material starts to dry, surface cracks will develop on the ends of the log. Cut off two to three inches and you should find good, sound wood. Also, cut the log in half along the pith to avoid having it in the finished piece. Most checks radiate from the pith. As you turn bowls from green wood, make sure you maintain a consistent wall thickness throughout the piece. Leaving a piece thick in some areas and thin in others will cause the wood to dry unevenly and promote checks and cracks.
Distortion
Distortion is a problem associated with turning green wood. It will vary from one type of wood to the next. Typically, fruitwoods tend to distort more than others do. It also varies with the time of year the tree was cut and how the logs are stored.
Tools for Bowl Turning
The deep fluted bowl gouge is the most essential and versatile tool for most bowl and faceplate style turning. The bowl gouge is heavier and easier to control than other types of
gouges. It also allows removal of wood much faster and with less vibration than other gouges. Most average sized bowl work can be accomplished with a 3/8" or 1/2" bowl gouge. A 1/4" bowl gouge is best suited for smaller bowls and light finishing cuts. Larger 3/4" and 1" bowl gouges are only used for extremely large pieces.
Large domed scrapers can also be used to help clean up the interior surfaces of bowls. A light touch with the scraper slightly tilted will eliminate some of the ridges left by a bowl gouge.
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