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wall thickness (Read 1,544 times)
 
lloyd harner
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wall thickness
May 5th, 2016 at 10:40pm
 
jsut finished my first bowl.  how  thick/thin is proper for a usable bowl?  i know are work can be wispy thin but im not doing that yet.  i like useful stuff
this one might be about 3/8 thick on a im guessig 12 inch bowl
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Louie Powell
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #1 - May 6th, 2016 at 7:57am
 
lloyd harner wrote on May 5th, 2016 at 10:40pm:
how  thick/thin is proper for a usable bowl?



How long is a string?

Seriously, you can do whatever you want and whatever looks good to you.  Thin equates with fragile - and too thin and it might have to be a display item (dust collector) only.  Too thick and it's still usable as a practical bowl, but not pretty enough to display.

I think your first attempt looks very good - thick enough for practical use, but thin enough to be attractive.
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Louie
 
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Tom Hamilton
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #2 - May 6th, 2016 at 8:06am
 
That's a nice looking bowl. 

Nice shape, the wall thickness looks good, nice grain, the finish is nice, I bet whatever you put in it won't fall out.

It will last a lifetime, and be enjoyed as a nice usable bowl.

Happy turning - Tom
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Mark Putnam
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #3 - May 6th, 2016 at 8:18am
 
Lloyd, I have only made a few bowls so far, myself. I'm confounded, in particular, about finishing. The finish on that bowl looks great. Can you tell us what finish(es) you used and how you applied it/them?
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Ed Weber
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #4 - May 6th, 2016 at 9:42am
 
IMO, Wall thickness relies on may variables, like usage, proportion to overall dimensions of the bowl and even wood species.
Your bowl looks like you have a good eye for proportions. good job
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lloyd harner
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #5 - May 6th, 2016 at 10:48am
 
as for the finish just a quick and dirty 220gris sanding and 3 coats of semigloss poly with 0000 wool buff down between coats
thank guys
the knives and razors i make are tools not art so less i get a wild hair or jsut want to see if i can i think i will stick with usable bowls
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James Saxinger
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #6 - May 6th, 2016 at 1:53pm
 
I would be very happy with that for a first bowl !!   Nice finish, really like the shape Good work !  What kind of wood ??

Good work Lloyd

James
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lloyd harner
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #7 - May 6th, 2016 at 3:24pm
 
walnut
i think part of what helps me with shape i used a potters wheel in school for 4 years and liked it so much i have one in my workshop wood turning is just the new vortex for me
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Tom Coghill
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #8 - May 6th, 2016 at 3:57pm
 
Lloyd,

The wall thickness of a bowl for use is (in my opinion) a careful balance between wall needed that will satisfy the "fit for duty" and the "feel".  I like a bowl to "feel" empty when it is empty.  I have not carefully measured what I mean by that, but I do know when I have left too much (usually in the bottom 1/3 of the bowl - maybe the fear of making another funnel?) Shocked Cheesy

Anyway, for a 10-12 inch bowl, I find a ~3/8 thickness is good. 

I have some salad bowls that I made of cherry.  They re about 8" in diameter and are more like 1/2 inch thick - too think in my opinion, however I also did not put any finish on them (daily users)and I plan to have them make multiple trips back to the lathe before they become firewood.  I "refinish" them with 240 to 320 grit.  Over time, they become thinner...  Thumbs Up
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Mark Putnam
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #9 - May 6th, 2016 at 10:20pm
 
lloyd harner wrote on May 6th, 2016 at 10:48am:
as for the finish just a quick and dirty 220gris sanding and 3 coats of semigloss poly with 0000 wool buff down between coats
thank guys
the knives and razors i make are tools not art so less i get a wild hair or jsut want to see if i can i think i will stick with usable bowls


Do you finish on the lathe or off?
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lloyd harner
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #10 - May 6th, 2016 at 11:26pm
 
on the lathe
i can see many ways to improve the finish already and will do them o the next 3 i have dried and ready to finish turn
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Breck Whitworth
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #11 - May 8th, 2016 at 6:45pm
 
Lloyd,
Since I make and sell quiet a few bowls every year I will tell you what I have learned from customers. The first thing I learned is thin walled bowls please other turners but a person who is looking for a bowl for everyday use wants a bowl that feels solid in their hands. They want a bowl that if it is dropped a few times over the years it will still be in use without any problems. Art type bowls can be as thin as you feel will make the piece fit what you want. 3/8" is the standard thickness I use for a utility bowl the size you made. It looks good but also feels strong. I will even go thicker for larger bowls.
Oh by the way beautiful bowl!
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« Last Edit: May 8th, 2016 at 6:45pm by Breck Whitworth »  

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Walt Nollan
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Re: wall thickness
Reply #12 - May 11th, 2016 at 11:42am
 
Proportions! The keys to being attractive is proportions.  A smaller bowl might need a thinner wall and a larger bowl might need a thicker wall.  You can also create an illusion of thicker wall at the rim and thinner down the sides and thicker at the base.  Some woods don't like this configuration and will crack as a result.  A consistent thickness is usually best.

You created a beautiful bowl, well done!
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« Last Edit: May 11th, 2016 at 11:43am by Walt Nollan »  
 
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