Oak bowls

My first attempts at bowl turning. As I noted on another thread, the oak came from the restoration of our local pub. I have never really got round to trying to turn a bowl before so here are my first attempts. Not sure oak is the wisest timber to try as a first attempt but it seems to have worked and certainly ensures that one gets ones gouge aligned properly. These are all quite small 4-5 inches diameter in old money dictated by the size of the offcuts. Two of these have since been snapped up which is nice especially since I just did them for practice. Finished in danish oil since I had it to hand.

Nice shape and finish Allen mate you've done well for a first attempt. The only thing I would say is I would have taken the foot off the bottom two.

Bloody well done an two of them being snatched up says it all, nice to see you trying the two different approaches to mounting in the chuck look forward to seeing more of your work as you progress

Great safe holding mate I like your approach and success.

Peter.

You have done well turning your first bowls Allen, I do like the Oak.

A great first attempt Allen. You've made a good job of these. I would have taken the foot off as well on the last two, but that comes down to personal taste & is not set in stone. Possibly the foot was left on because you weren't sure how to remove it, another step along the journey. All you have to do is ask or look on YouTube to see how to remove a foot. There are several ways so pick the one you like the best & try it on scrap. Best of luck with your bowls.
I use sanding wax when I sand oak, it sands easier & gives a finer finish as well as keeping the dust down. You can substitute sanding wax with soft paste wax & it'll still do the job. If you find you get tear out which you can't get rid of coat the bowl with wax then use your gouge again. The wax will lubricate your gouge & lessen or prevent the tear out & make sanding easier.
Hope this helps.

They look great Keith.

That is a very nice piece Allan, lovely grain pattern & a great first attempt at a bowl

They look a hell of a lot better than my first bowls. Nicely done.

Thanks for this advice Bill. I never thought of using wax in this way, I will give it a try. You are right about being somewhat nervous to remove the foot, I will have to try that as well, but maybe on something a little more forgiving than oak.

For the first attempts some good bowls at least you kept away from what I call the dog bowl shape. If you want to leave a foot it really is down to personal choice, for me I would at least make them a little smaller in height.
Also if leaving the foot on try to make it the same diameter as the optimum circle size for the jaws which will eliminate any chance of them marking the wood which I can't see any on yours and cut them nice and clean to match the finish on the rest of the turning.

Allen, I forgot to mention if you use wax for sanding or tear out, when you've finished sanding give a coat of cellulose sanding sealer then Denib. This neutralises the wax & you can add any finish you like whether it be oil, melamine, acrylic or whatever.