In this woodturning lesson, Ernie Conover demonstrates from start to finish how to turn a small hollow form vessel on the lathe. Hollow form vessels make great small gifts and home decorations.
Wood bowls are generally faceplate turned, meaning the grain of the tree runs across the bowl as it is turned. The base of the bowl is usually the outside of the tree and the top of the bowl is the inside of the tree. Sometimes it is better to spindle turn bowls, meaning the grain runs up and down in the bowl. This type of bowl is called a hollow form. Ernie uses a mini lathe to demonstrate this woodturning technique . The basic process is to first turn the outside shape and then secure the form in a faceplate block to hollow out the inside and refine the outside shape.
