Bowl From Carole Rothman's Book

[Pete_M]

Would like to try and make the Triple-Swirl Bowl from Carole's book but I have a couple of questions mostly for Carole but I guess anyone can answer who's scroll cut a bowl.

In Caroles book she deals exclusively with scroll saw tables that tilt to the left. Mine tilts to the right. So I am ASSUMING I will cut counter-clockwise, or feed the work piece clockwise?

The other question is specifically for Carole. I'd like to make your bowl press but can't find any reference to the length of the 3/8" carriage bolts.

Pete

[handibunny]

Hi Pete,

Whoops! You caught an omission on my part regarding the bowl press. I'll make sure to correct it for the next printing. The length of the bolts is somewhat arbitrary. The press pictured used continuous threaded bolts that were 6" long. That length will accommodate most any bowl. If you find you'd like to the able to use the press for vases, choose longer bolts. If you make a couple of sets of spacers, you can use the longer bolts without spending a lot of time tightening the wing nuts.

And yes, if your table tilts to the right, reverse the direction of the cut and cut counterclockwise. This does mean that you're feeding the wood clockwise. And on those few projects that call for a counterclockwise cut, reverse the direction and cut clockwise. You might want to try a small test piece to get familiar with making the cut before you try it on your laminated blank.

If you have any more questions, you can post them in the forum section for questions for authors to be sure I won't miss them, or send a PM. And if you find any more omissions or things that are not clear, please let me know so I can make the corrections. Thanks, and let me know how you make out.

[Pete_M]

Carole,

Thanks! I was sitting here trying to figure out which way I should cut and the direction I should feed the wood. The more I thought about it the less I knew I knew...... if you get my drift.

Ok. If you want any questions I''ll put them in the authors section, or if I find any omissions in the book I'll send you a PM. I have some idea how tough it is to write for publication as when I used to write for a couple of magazines no matter how careful you are at proof reading some Gremlins always sneak in.

Really like your book. I wish I had the gift to come up with the ideas you have in it.

If anyone would like progress photos let me know. Got the boards glued up so could start out with that.

Pete

[Forester21]

Originally Posted by Pete_M

Carole,


If anyone would like progress photos let me know. Got the boards glued up so could start out with that.

Pete

You need to ask?? lol Yes - we would love to see progress photos!
T

[Wood Dog]

We love pictures, progress, and otherwise. Post away.

[Pete_M]

Ok. Here you go.

The picture attached just shows the glue up of the 3 pieces needed for the bowl. Letting the glue dry so I can sand the top side flat (showing) before attaching the pattern and cutting it out.

The dark wood is Walnut, and the light wood is soft Maple, and I don't know what the medium wood is as it was just a piece I was going to throw away so didn't have it labeled. Might be Mahogany.

On the upper right side it looks like the pieces didn't come together. That's really just a slight difference in the thicknesses of the pieces.

Pete

[Sally]

Boy - that's going to be a wonderful looking bowl. I can't wait to see more pictures.

[Max]

Can't wait to see the finished bowl. I think the third wood is cherry. My wife loves when I cut cherry because it makes the garage smell great.

[handibunny]

Pete,

Your color choice is great. I think Dan is right--the third piece looks like cherry. Your glue-up looks great--the grains of all pieces are oriented just right. To make your life simpler, before you cut the bowl, rough cut the blank to about 1" larger in diameter than the pattern. That will make it more manageable to handle on the tilted table. (I've added that tip to my growing list of changes for the next printing.)

Please keep posting, and let me know about anything that needs more clarification. Thanks.

[Pete_M]

All,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm lucky in that I have a table saw that cuts angles very accurately so fitting the pieces together was a snap. Looking at Carole's book it appears as tho she's limited in the tools she has available. I doubt very much if fitting the pieces by hand, as suggested in her book, I'd have gotten anywhere near the fit. Patience is NOT my middle name! As is, it's not quite perfect.

Carole,

PM for you.

Thanks for the tip on cutting the piece to within an inch or so of the outer line. Didn't think of that. I've never done any angle cutting so had planned on just going in at the proper angle and having at it. I can certainly see your idea is the best way of going at it.

It's going to be an experience cutting at an angle. I might be worrying for nothing but keeping the piece from wanting to wander "downhill", and I'm thinking keeping the piece 90 degrees to the blade at all times is not going to be the easiest job I've ever done.

Won't get a whole lot done today. Sanded flat, cutting it per Carole's suggestion, and sticking the pattern on will be about it. Should be able to get a picture up of it ready to start cutting.

Pete