wood saver bowl process

[chuck vernon]

I buy boxes of scrap exotic woods from a local outlet and have glued them togather to make various projects. I am new to turning and wanted to make a glue up to turn into a bowl. Not wanting to waste this exotic wood I came up with a method to get multiple bowls from one glued up block. I started with a glued up plank 9"X 19", I cut this in two and glued the two pieces together rotating 90 deg. This resulted in a block 8 1/2" in x 8 1/2" In X 2 1/2" high. I layed out circles, decreasing each dia. by 1 1/2". This resulted in four circles, the smallest about 4". I cut the block in half and than cut the half circles. I than glued the half circles together. I than glued up another plank and glued it to the bottom of the circles, making 4 bowl blanks from the original block. I than turned them into what I call busy bowls. I will try to attach pics. Sorry I was not able to navigate attaching pictures , but I hope this is useful.

[Nathan Clark]

Interesting approach. I'm sure the same could be accomplished without halving the circles. Drill a pilot hole, then use a jig, or scroll saw.

[Robert McGowen]

I am not sure about the technique, but it sounds like it would work. I would not turn the wood 90 degrees before glueing it though. It seems like you are just daring it to come apart due to wood movement.

[Ralph Lindberg]

Segmented turning is similar to what you are trying. What has been found in that process is that having crossed grain is an invitation to failure.

[chuck vernon]

As I mentioned, I am new to turning. This is my secound post. I have received only negative comments. I guess my input is just not up to the standards of the this forum. No encouragement to be found here.

[Dennis Nagle]

Hi Chuck. I would not take the comments that way. Everyone here is really helpful and are always looking out for the best interest of other turners. I like your approach and think it is a good way to minimize waste as well as ending up with a cool looking piece. Post pix if you have any.

I am buying a shop press this week to use for glue ups. It is easier than using all sorts of clamps.

[Brian Kent]

I apologize, Chuck. We jumped right in to improvements on your techniques.
So welcome! It is great to hear what you are doing and we love the pictures !

What kinds of wood are you using in your exotic mix?

[chuck vernon]

Apology accepted. However I do not understand why cross grain is subject to failure. Maybe on single poeces but in my application It seems to methat it would be like plywood. However I am going to try it with all the grain in one direction Chuck V.