Prepare for an onslaught of any number of potential thicknesses.  Is this piece destined for 'art' for active usage?  My personal preferences only but I like my user pieces to have a just little more heft in them and it's something that resonates with my customers.  In the end, however, it's right when it looks right to you.  Good luck...John

lloyd harner wrote on Aug 27^th, 2016 at 10:55pm:


Lloyd,

Basically, the thinner you go on the walls, the more you'll minimize your chances of it cracking. If I were you, I'd turn it to have walls that are 4mm or less in thickness. I would not include the pith, as White Oak is particularly prone to cracking, but in any case, the fact that thinner walls will minimize the chances of it happening stands.

To further minimize the chances of cracking, after you turn it, saturate it in a penetrating oil such as mineral oil, and once the wood one application saturates, give it more. If you plan to ultimately finish it with a shell finish, such as with shellac or lacquer, I'd wait a few weeks on that while I saturate it in the penetrating oil to make sure it doesn't dry so fast that it cracks. I wouldn't be concerned about warpage, as that is usually attractive and adds to the character of the bowl.

I'm sure others will have additional advice for you, as John suggested, but that's how I'd approach it if I were you.   

Good luck!