Philip Greenwood

Here are my notes about Philip’s Three Corner bowl. I hope they are some use! To make a Three corner bowl Place a cube of wood between centres seat one corner in the lathe spindle (drive) and the other in a cup chuck You will see ghost peaks either side of the centre when spininng Turn the tailstock end Tighten if slippage Aim for the ghost peak at the headstock end Use a bowl gouge Move in the rest as you turn away wood Make sure there are no flats at the peaks At the peaks, float the gouge with minimal pressure or it will nick the peaks Get best finish with the gouge, because you DO NOT WANT TO SAND ON THE LATHE and risk injury Finish the tenon at the base by parting partially then saw off Reverse into chuck. Place bowl gouge on the centre.and cut from the tip. Gentle cuts till hollow. Bring up tailstock with pointed centre to support. Begin cutting away outer part If find you are pushing harder you may need to sharpen the gouge Remove tailstock and cut down the centre Keep away from peaks with your hand Cut from outer edge to inner Cut away the tops first. This keeps bulk in the bowl centre and helps stability You can put tape on rest to locate the tips of the bowl Check consistent width of edges. Use callipers. You can use a negative rake scraper moving from outside to inside. Plan to cut the central recess the same diameter as your chuck jaws when in a perfect circle in expansion. Reverse into jaws and remove tenon.