First Bowl

[Bernie Weishapl]

Well I did it. I turned my first bowl. I got it roughed out and have it soaking in DNA now. I was so excited I took the first two pictures on the lathe and when I finished the inside roughing I put the bowl in the DNA before I thought to take the other two. Guess I was just to excited. I had a ton of fun and learned a lot this afternoon. I watched Bill's DVD again this morning before I started. The next one ought to go a lot faster.

One question I do have is how long would you leave the Elm bowl in the DNA before letting it dry and then wrapping it?


Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.

[Glenn Hodges]

looks good! I let mine soak over night. Dave Smith said 2 hours when he first started posting about this method (I believe I am right), but I go overboard on about everything. Good luck with it.

[John Hart]

Looks great Bernie!! Yep...me too. I go overnight, then let it dry for a little over a week. Sure hope she don't move on you!

[Corey Hallagan]

Congrats Bernie, that is awesome. It looks like your a natural. I hope the next week goes well!

Corey

[Keith Burns]

Bernie, I can tell you are travelling quickly, and with great skill, into that dark hole

[Jeremiah Jordan]

Nice looking bowl Bernie, a lot better than I would do on my first try.

Jeremiah

[John Miliunas]

Way to go, Bernie! You got yourself a nice form going, too! Way, way better than my first attempt (or three! ). Sorry I can't guide you on the DNA...Still need to try that myself!

[Bob Noles]

Bernie,

Slap some finish on that rascal and call it done while you are still ahead

Looking good my friend and I can already hear that bigger lathe calling

Great job and best of luck on having good stock to cross the finish line. I can't wait to see it in the end.

[Michael Stafford]

Bernie, it will look great when you return it after drying. You have a good shape going and it should not distort too much after the alky bath.

[Ernie Nyvall]

Allright Bernie, way to go!!! Lookin good.

Ernie

[Dennis Peacock]

Looks good Bernie.

I always let mine soak overnight or until I get in the shop again. I've found bowls in the alchy bath almost 4 months later!!!
Soaking longer does not harm to the blank.

I've found that soaking them too short of time doesn't get the alchy all the way through the bowl and the bowl tends to warp more on the finish turn. But YMMV and I'm only sharing what I've experienced and learned over the last year of doing this particular method. BUT....it has turned out to be the most successful method of bowl blank drying that I've ever tried.

[Bill Stevener]

Your on your way now Bernie, I can see DNA going for an all time high, in about two weeks.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Bernie Weishapl]

Thanks. I appreciate all the kinds words and help. I plan on leaving the bowl soak all night and then wrap it in the morning. Will let it dry for a couple of weeks or so. I will then turn it to final size. As soon as I can I will post the results.

[Blake McCully]

Bernie,
Welcome to the alky club. I, like most everybody else, soak mine over night. Unlike some, I don't wrap mine. Being and old guy I can't wait months for stabilization . I weigh mine every day, and when I get two or three consecutive weights that are the same, I put it back on and spin it again.

I don't have a moisture meter so I use my good digital kitchen scale. I've not had any problems doing it this way. The shortest time it has taken to stabilize was 5 days, a yellow poplar bowl, the longest was 9 days, a honey locust bowl. Just depends on wood density and thickness I guess.

[Dick Parr]

Great job on the first one Bernie. That is going to be a nice looking bowl when you are done. Make sure you post some pictures of it in a few weeks when you get it finished up.

Great start to your new addiction.