Well this past week has been an adventure, to say the least.

A few months ago, we had a Maple tree removed. Of course, I had them save a portion of the trunk for turning projects. Selecting what seemed to be a manageable section, I cut a blank for a "BIG" salad bowl for Mimi.

My old Delta lathe has a 14" maximum diameter capacity. So I thought I'd use this to begin the bowl.

The white pencil is laying on the ways and you can see there isn't much clearance. 

Normally I would cut the blank round on the bandsaw but this was going to be a "BIG/DEEP" salad bowl. My bandsaw has a 6" maximum thickness cut. So, using all my Paul Bunyan skills- both of them- I attempted to cut an even, round blank.

Well, it's not perfect, but what the hey.

WHAT THE HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, back to the drawing board. A couple of more tries with the chain saw didn't improve the balance too much. Looks like the bandsaw will have to be used to even out the blank. Chain saw is fired up once more (I think the neighbors are getting a little sick of me) and cut the blank to a 6" thickness. So much for the BIG/DEEP salad bowl.

On to the bandsaw and that's where things really went down hill. All the gory details are posted in my "Broken Bandsaw" post. The piece caught the guide block holder and broke it in several places.  Although the bandsaw piece is Red Greened back together, I'm hesitant to try and complete the blank. So, things are currently at a stand still on the bowl.

On a happier note, this months Woodcraft Magazine has a really nice project for dust collection on the lathe. If you don't subscribe, pick up a copy at the local Borg or news stand. Lots of great non-lathe projects, too. (But you really should subscribe)

Also got an email from "Popular Woodworking". It has a very nice oval handle turning project.

Safe Turning. 

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Hey Lew looks like your lathe was just like mine on Sunday. My wife could feel the whole house shaking, seeing as how we live in a mobile home.

I've had kids at school before turn on a Powermatic 45 on high for starting out and had the thing about bouncing off the floor. 

Rick and Roy,

Thanks for the comment!

My poor little shop is so cramped for room that I have always had to mount the lathe on top of a cabinet. Certainly not the most idea situation, especially when it comes to counterbalancing/weighting down the machine.

I did finally get the blank round- posting more on Wednesday.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

So did I then stated hollowing and got a catch and broke my tool handle in half.

Lewis Kauffman said:

Rick and Roy,

Thanks for the comment!

My poor little shop is so cramped for room that I have always had to mount the lathe on top of a cabinet. Certainly not the most idea situation, especially when it comes to counterbalancing/weighting down the machine.

I did finally get the blank round- posting more on Wednesday.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!