I think I'm hooked on this spinning wood idea. The vortex is indeed strong. Mark was kind enough to let me invade his shop twice this week. Once for a few hours of demonstration and then tonight to let me make a bowl. Well mostly make a bowl. He did some of the work that my hands weren't quite figuring out. Namely the inside curve (he warned me when I wanted to round over the outside it was a little trickier), getting a nice rounded foot/ring at the bottom for the bowl to rest on and various work during the turning to re-enforce concepts. But I got to do enough of it that I don't mind calling it my first turning. The bowl is turned out of an ash blank and sanded with 80, 120, 180 and 240 grit with a wipe on walnut oil finish. He was being very gracious with shop time so I didn't want to ask for even more time for a fancy finishing regime. Mark is an excellent teacher and I'm looking forward to turning with him some more.
Now for the pics! The nasty bathroom floor will have to do for a white box for now. Football season means lots of dirt tracked around. Just focus on the bowl
IMG_1650.JPG
IMG_1651.JPG
IMG_1652.JPG
IMG_1654.JPG
Turning 2.jpg
I must say this stuff is an incredible amount of fun. I'm fighting the urge to go to harbor freight and get a lathe+tools+grinder tomorrow. Not sure I'll win the battle. I know the HF lathe has its faults. But there is one thing it really has going for it... I can have it in my shop tomorrow