When it comes to woodworking, the sky’s the limit for creativity. If you have any of the Laguna Tools machines in your workshop, then you already know the kind of freedom you have. If you can imagine it, you can make it.
Video Credit: ToolMetrix
In this post, we are going to show you how to use a lathe, scrap wood materials, and resin to create a beautiful bowl. This unique piece of functional art can serve as a centerpiece for a coffee table.
Creating a Blank
Before you can begin the woodturning process, you need to create a blank. This is the piece used to carve out the finished product.
Step #1 - Begin by slicing your scrap wood pieces into small cubes. You can use whatever scrap wood you have at hand. They can even be different colors to create more depth in the finished product. They used maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory pieces.
Step #2 - Next, place the wood cubes into a mold that is roughly the same size that you want your bowl to be. You can use a plastic bowl for this step. Be sure to insert a larger block in the center of the mold so that the finished product is actually a bowl.
Step #3 - Then, use tape to secure all the loose wood pieces inside the mold.
Step #4 - Now it’s time to mix the resin. You can add colored mica to the liquid mixture to achieve a specific look.
Step #5 - Pour the resin into the mold, and place the mold carefully into a pressure pot. Set the pressure to 45 pounds, and let it sit for 6 hours.
Step #6 - Next comes the part where patience is a virtue. You need to let the resin cure for 7 days before the blank is ready to move to the lathe.
Turning the Wood Bowl
This is where the fun begins. After your resin has cured for 7 days, you will be left with a blank. You will use the blank to turn your wood bowl. Here’s how you do it.
Step #1 - Secure the blank onto your lathe and start the rotations.
Step #2 - Using your lathe tool (or bowl gouge), begin to remove the tools marks to improve the surface quality of the piece.
Step #3 - Next, use a piece of sandpaper to smooth out the surface texture and even out the bottom surface.
Step #4 - To make the bottom perfectly smooth, remove the tailstock from the lath and continue carving. The tailstock helps to reduce vibrations, but it can get in the way if you’re trying to work on the bottom section of a piece.
Step #5 - Then, use a finer lathe tool to cut out a recess in the bottom of the bowl.
Step #6 - Next, flip the bowl around to begin working on the top section. You can put the tailstock back in place to make it easier to flatten out the jagged edges from the protruding pieces of wood.
Step #7 - Begin turning the top section until it is flush all the way across.
Step #8 - Once you’re happy with the level top, you can begin turning out the center gradually.
Step #9 - Remove the tailstock to continue shopping out the center of the bowl.
Step #10 - Once you have turned the center to the desired depth, you can begin thinning down the sides of the bowl.
Step #11 - Now it’s time for some more sanding.
Step #12 - When you are satisfied with the look of the bowl, you can begin polishing the exterior. You can leave it on the lathe to polish the inside of the bowl, and remove it from the lathe to get the bottom area as well.
Now you have a beautiful, unique bowl that you created from scrap wood materials.
Lathes
Here at Laguna Tools, we have a great selection of lathes to choose from. Ranging from $800 to $3,800, you can pick the one that’ right for your budget, needs, and skillset.
First is the REVO 12|16. This petite turner uses a DC Permanent Magnet motor that generates 1 horsepower. It has a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Controller that keeps the torque consistent at all speeds. The speed range is 50 to 3,500 RPM, and it only weighs 125 pounds.
Next is the REVO 15|24. It uses a more powerful version of the same motor to produce 1.5 horsepower. The sliding headstock is great for bowl turning, and it has height-adjustable legs for optimized positioning.
Using a 3 step pulley, it has a speed range of 50 to 4200 RPM, and the new Precise Point feature enables you to dial in the tailstock to meet the center of the headstock. This turner weighs 302 pounds.
The third option is the REVO 18|36 110-Volt. This model uses a 110-volt single-phase induction motor to produce 1.5 horsepower.
The speed range is between 50 and 3,500 RPM, and the headstock and tailstock lock handles are located on the backside of the machine to cut down on workflow interruptions. This turner weighs 570 pounds.
Then, we have the REVO 18|36 220-Volt. Essentially, it is the same as the first 18|36 model, but it uses a more powerful 220-volt motor that generates 2 horsepower.
Finally, the REVO 24|36 220-Volt turner is the largest and most powerful model in our product selection. It generates 3 horsepower and has a speed range of 50 to 3,500 RPM. Weighing 610 pounds, it has the same features as the 18|36 models but with more power.
Talk to Us
Do you still have questions about our selection of lathes here at Laguna Tools? You can easily get in touch with our experts and ask us anything.
We are here to help you choose the best machines for your woodworking shop. You can also take a look at our expansive video library for project ideas and maintenance tips.
