I Pushed My Laguna 1836 Lathe to Its Limits With This Wood Bowl… | Woodturning

I wanted to see what my Laguna 18-36 lathe is made of, especially since it is the 1.5hp, 110v version. This was one of my last big chunks of elm and once I cut into it, I knew I had to use this piece of wood as my test. The other side of the log had some checks & cracks running throughout most of the wood so this side was the only option as far as turning a large piece but even still you can see I ran into some issues with this bowl. What started off as a 28" bowl finished out around 23" after clearing around most of the bigger voids. All in all, I am super happy with this bowl & love the beautiful colors & grain that run throughout the wood. Even though I didn't break my record of largest bowl turned - currently 24", I am thrilled with how this piece came out & how smoothly the overall process went. I look forward to trying to break my record again here in the next few weeks so stay tuned!
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Tools that I use -
Laguna 18|36 110v Lathe
Carter & Sons 5/8 Bowl Gouge (Unhandled)
Trent Bosch 5/8 Handle
Crown 3/4 Round Nose Scraper
Crown Detail Gouge
Real Milk Paint Co. Tung Oil
Vince's WoodnWonders 3" Sanding Disc
Rikon Slow Speed Grinder w/ Wolverine Sharpening Jig
Canon M6 Mark II

[@Artisanalwoodcreations]

Absolutely gorgeous! I love elm!

[@MASI_forging]

What a beautiful design.👏👏

[@danielvasileioicaliuc8332]

What an enormous bowl!! Absolutely beauty!!

[@rgcustomcalls3655]

Awesome piece.👍🏻

[@JohnFerraro]

Awesome project! Massive, beautiful bowl. 👏👏👏

[@lori-ellencoley6100]

Love your work ethic and attitude with the frustration parts. Great job!❤

[@alsaffarstudios]

Very beautiful Bowl, well done. Thanks for sharing your work with us 🙏🏼

[@fastjazz]

Well done!!!

[@davidgraham2673]

Good job. I'll look forward to another video.

[@leegillow3475]

That's one BIG bowl. Thank you.

[@tedenglert5564]

I’m impressed.

[@sethwarner2540]

looks great with just the outside turned!!

[@peterrauch6604]

Really nice job! Beautiful bowl!!

[@johnhicks4992]

Well done!

[@kellyshaw2877]

Wow! Great job man... That's definitely a piece to be proud of!

[@richardparis9463]

Very nicely done Andrew

[@samanthayoung6031]

A beautiful piece of art...I could have some serious fun finding uses for this one. 💜

[@loriboldt6171]

First time watching your videos, but not only is this bowl huge to me, the Elm is such beautiful wood! Thank you for putting thia "out there" for all to enjoy, and learn!😊

[@scottshawwoodworking1752]

Beautiful and massive bowl. Great work and the Laguna lathe was put through the test.

[@tf484]

Amazing piece.

[@gregstragier196]

I really like how this one turned out. Good thing you were able to turn past the hollow spot and still maintain most of its size.

[@tommj4365]

Beautifully shot video. The bowl turned out fantastic too

[@michaelkrause1338]

Great work, well done Sir !!

[@cliffsmith7069]

Really nice , looks great

Wow, this is a BIG warp... Amazing work my friend. Beautiful piece.

[@annlaurie1484]

Looks great. 😊

[@bobpede4647]

I only got up to about 12.5 in on my laguna 15 24 lathe.Time to fire up the chain saw!!Nice work!The load sensitive speed control on these modern machines is amazing.

[@davidcrandell1172]

What an amazing piece. Your work is incredible

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you David! I appreciate that!

[@AlexGarcia-ly9fq]

Glad to see you are putting the Laguna through it's paces with the large turning. looked pretty stable to me. Beautiful bowl (cracks and all)

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Overall the lathe was very stable especially adding in the 2x4 on the end. Given I needed help getting this piece mounted, id say it handled it pretty well! 👍

[@paulich8253]

That's a bowl. Well made.

[@wyattcorreia2803]

This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and this was so great to watch because I have been trying to improve my woodturning skills since I started at 12 years old I’m 15 now but amazing work

[@caslonbodoni42]

Nice work!

[@paulblaha4897]

I love your commitment to this project.... you have a good voice to listen to and you are telling us what you are doing while you are doing it....I've got a black walnut monster log that ive been drying now for 5 years,,,it is time for it to become a big bowl

[@andrewmccarn]

A huge black walnut bowl is the dream! I just got a large log myself and hoping to turn it soon!

[@tomswoodturningchannel482]

Hats off to you Andrew beautiful job God bless from Ireland 🇮🇪 ☘️

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that Tom, Thanks for the kind words!

[@debramacnabb499]

just found you and im so pleased that you talk i cant stand videos when they dont talk i must say you are awesome

[@wildlandfarmstead]

Gorgeous

[@k9insomniac783]

I think you did an amazing job. Max out projects are both exhilarating and terrifying. I don’t think you could have done it any better. Beautiful as usual my friend.

[@JoseRoberto-gv2wr]

Parabéns, belo trabalho !!!!

[@beckireid4208]

This gives a whole new meaning to "go big or go home!" Beautiful, and beautifully done! 🥰

[@andrewmccarn]

Had to see what this lathe was made of!

[@miker648]

Andrew, my complements! Beautiful bowl with very interesting grain.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that! Elm is one of those woods that never seems to disappoint. Thank you for the comment!

[@MarykateMcCarn]

That thing really is a beast of a bowl

[@andrewmccarn]

You know it’s a big one when I needed the neighbors help! 😂

[@drbockel2]

Mad respect! I can't believe the spindle is strong enough to hold that bad boy straight (I have the same lathe, though no bed extension)--very heartening! Love your big bowls!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank ya! The spindle & the screws on the face plate were the real hero here. I was amazed when taking out the screws that none had bent or had any other issues. If youre ever interested in turning bigger pieces, I highly recommend the extension!

[@tonyturnswood]

really great work... love how your videos are progressing... big fan!

[@andrewmccarn]

Appreciate that Anthony, Just learning more and more with each video!

[@waltervancleave6495]

Great job man! Love it when a plan comes to gather. That blank was real ball breaker! 😮 think you for sharing your ambitious experience. From Ohio. WALTER 😮

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Walter! Yeah this bowl wasn't as large as I had hoped it would be but still very happy with the final piece!

[@earljtharp]

This is the best wood turning project ivevever seen in KZbin. I like that the shape changed. I would keep it that way because it looks cool. I have the same setup as you and now I know what can be done with it. Lookout !!!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thats a fantastic compliment! I appreciate that! Letting the bowl warp and form its own shape is always a fun time & it gives the bowl some unique characteristics. The laguna with the extension is a great setup! Highly recommend trying out a big bowl

[@weathormantom7206]

I've been using that same lathe for a couple of years. I'm batting around the idea of getting the extension. Thanks for showing it in use with a very heavy piece. A little bit of a sway at first but it didn't seem to be too bad. Thanks for the help. I love those big imperfect bowls.

[@andrewmccarn]

Absolutely & thank you for watching! I highly recommend the extension if you have any interest in turning bigger bowls.

[@terrygogz]

wow wow thats cool .

[@chrisjohnston2449]

Amazing to watch. I for one am so glad you did not give up on it. I have 2 elm crotch pieces in my garage I am trying to find time to turn. I bet they will produce 28 or 30 inch bowls. I will have to turn them on the outboard side of the lathe. My Powermatic is only good for around 20 inches on the inboard. Thanks for sharing

[@andrewmccarn]

Thats exciting! Elm is such a great wood to turn. I think powermatic may make an extension similar to mine if Im not mistaken but good luck on those bowls!

[@robertbourke7935]

Truly unbelievable work. Very well done. The biggest I have turned inboard on my Aussie lathe was about 21+1/2 inches, a piece of avocado which came up very well.

[@andrewmccarn]

I honestly had no idea you could turn avocado, much less that it got that big! Thats awesome & thank you for the kind words!

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Dried, warped, cracked. Looks good.

[@jjisella]

Nice work :)

[@larryjensen9227]

wow I thought it was Maple. that is one very nice bowl

[@JamesCouch777]

The amount of warp is amazing.

[@andrewmccarn]

Its one of the reasons I love turning green wood! Warp can add so much uniqueness to a bowl

[@paulsedelmeyer4098]

Wow. Great project. Love the warp.! I also have a Laguna Lathe, but not the extension. Thanks for the info on the Simpson screws. I have 4 yrs turning experience. The biggest bowl I've done is 15 1/2 by 5. Thanks. Enjoyed! 🙂

[@andrewmccarn]

The lathe is a good one & I highly recommend the extension if you ever get the opportunity!

[@PatLap]

Hahaha! Awesome! 😂👍🏼

[@sharpshooter470]

Very nice work Andrew. I was interested to see the movement of the piece as the lathe struggled against the weight. The lathe did a good job with it. Keep up the good work and enjoy your time turning. Blessings.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you very much! The lathe did handle this piece very well. I didnt know what to expect, especially that first time turning it on but it sure got the job done.

[@garryevans3594]

That is an gigantic bowl. Truly exceptional grain Good luck with your next one

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Garry!

[@zanebeegle6825]

Beautiful bowl!👍 I love turning large bowls, they'll be much larger once I get my extension! But I'll have to get a hoist, neighbors got a bad back!😁 I'll can't wait to see your record breaker!

[@andrewmccarn]

I dont get to turn stuff like this too often but I have considered making a lift or wench system myself lol

[@billymurphy3]

I really enjoy your shooting and editing style. Lovely work man. I’ll be watching more of your channel. Getting my first wood Lathe this weekend and your video entered my feed. They know what to feed me 😂

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate the kind words! Great decision on getting a lathe, you wont regret it!

[@user-ft3jf8wi8x]

very beatifull

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@JamesCouch777]

Reminds me of the Crocodile Dundee movie where he pulls out the big knife 😊 That's a bowl!

[@andrewmccarn]

LOL! One of my favorite scenes

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

Got to love the large bowls.. I turn the laguna 24/36 don't have the extension but have turned 23 inches over the bed and cored a few out of that. I could do bigger but I don't have any neighbors that can help me lift them up. lol.. the laguna 's are good for the price.

[@andrewmccarn]

Its hard to beat the experience turning something large. It would be something else to be able to core out a 23" bowl! Have you considered putting some sort of pulley system in?

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

@@andrewmccarn maybe a lift🤣

[@petercallaghan4718]

I was thinking of down sizing to an apartment, which I can cope better with in my 70's. No workshop, so would have to sell my two lathes, workbench, etc. I think you have just convinced me that an apartment is a bad idea! Thanks.

[@andrewmccarn]

I hope you don't! Lathe > apartment lol

[@serafinopinoccio]

Great piece 👌👍

[@stevee.7419]

Wow!, great work! As a CNC lathe machinist by trade, this kind of work inspires me to stay with it as I lose interest with over 20 yrs of turning out boring (in my opinion) production parts. I’m planning on buying a manual lathe, and I am going to turn stone and wood into beautiful pieces so to do something more creative and artistic. Videos and crafty work like your own, inspires me to make that move. Thank you.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the kind words! Go get a lathe and get to creating! Working with stone would be really interesting. It seems sculptural work with stone is a lost art. Its amazing what you can do with such a hard material.

[@stevee.7419]

Question for you, sir. I’m currently looking at buying a Laguna 1836 lathe. There is one listed on my local classified. Do you think I could turn small stone pieces on it? Small, bowl sized stone pieces, like alabaster?…i got a hankering to turn out something crafty, besides gears.

[@FortInTheWoods]

Great video, surprised it only took two to get it on there.

[@terrytenley9404]

Very nice work… I was guessing the bowl is green and a bit of shrinkage will distort the bowl over the next 6 months.. I have turned larger ones but drying time was over two years in my attic..I left the wall thickness at 2 3/4 inches think and was barely enough to have to make it round again. I label the date and weight aa drying progresses in the attic..To prevent bowls from drying out to fast i coast with paste wax used on floors and then shrink wrap them.. This often stops cracks from forming.. Sometimes I keep the bowl in a moist place for 6 weeks then place into the attic.. Have fun😁👍😊

[@waltwhybrewwoodworking]

Very nice. I have the same lathe, without the extensions and the biggest I've turned is about 15".

[@andrewmccarn]

Its a great lathe for sure & 15" is a good size and still pretty big. Thats right around my favorite size to turn overall.

[@jonperley7304]

One big salad in that!!!👍

[@BrailsfordWoodworks]

If you live anywhere near Fayetteville I would let you come over and try my Robust.

[@user-ck8gd1so6c]

تحياتي لك من المغرب

[@smeefamily54]

Andrew: a friend of mine, Jim of Sprague Woodturning, does coring on large bowls. Very impressive lathe you have. I would never attempt something of that size bowl. Too scary. Take care and stay safe; from Petawawa, Ontario.

[@andrewmccarn]

I enjoy his videos! He does some great work! Thank you for the kind words. Turning something this large isn't as bad as it seems. Ive become more comfortable turning something this size than I have smaller pieces lol thank you again!

[@karlsangree4679]

Congratulations! Webster's Dictionary is using a screen cap from this video to illustrate the definition of "Insane" lol. Seriously though, this was a great turn. I chuckled when I saw you rolling that monster in at 1:40.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that, that made me laugh! I seriously thought I could pick this piece up but I definitely underestimated just how heavy this wood was lol

[@chadholt6235]

Ha!😂 Your yard looks like mine! Lol

[@andrewmccarn]

Wouldn't have it any other way! Just wish it wasn't so visible sometimes.... lol

[@raystevens687]

CA glue for some of cracks might help out.

[@jarmstrong2843]

Definitely pushed the lathe to the max. That was a lot of weight spinning around on the power head. Hope the bearings & VSD didn't suffer. Nice bowl, though!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! It seemed to handle it really well. On my last lathe, when I tried something similar it would squeak and struggle to get going so I was curious if this would do the same but it started right up. Won’t be doing something like this too often since I know deep down this lathe isn’t made for this kind of work but it’s fun to see what it can do especially being 1.5hp lol

[@boooshes]

My comments from my own large pieces would be 1) good results, 2) its well worth the effort to get the piece balanced before you begin turning - its the imbalance, not the weight that is hard on the machine and operator. It looks like you did a decent job of it.

[@mikehooper3392]

That would have made a great candidate for a coring system

[@andrewmccarn]

I would’ve loved to but the last time I tried to core on the extension it caught & bent the only coring knife I have so currently saving for a new one

[@dtork47]

Very nice LARGE piece, to bad about your coring system. Amazing for a smaller motor! Well done.

[@alanpaulin8175]

Exactly what I thought, and gotten a couple more bowl out of it

[@k9insomniac783]

Coring systems are great but with all the cracks and checks on the blank, I think he made the right call.

[@pkutschman]

Beautiful

[@tropifiori]

That’s really cool. I have a somewhat similar piece of white oak Burl ready for faceplate. I don’t know if I have enough spindle bearing or nerve to try it. Also I think I will turn it wearing a hockey uniform. Nicely done Frsnk

[@andrewmccarn]

A white oak burl this size would be an awesome bowl! When I first started testing out pieces this size, I would just attach them on the lathe to see how it spun & do a few cuts & then go from there. Once you turn something this size, its hard to go any smaller lol I say go for it!

[@ms-mac521]

👍👍👍

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

Awesome Bowl and video. I looked threw your videos and fell in love with the little feet you created on the "Trying Something Different" video . If you wouldn't mind I would like to steal that idea for one of my bowls. Subbed and bell rung.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate the kind words & absolutely! I definitely wasn't the first person to do the carved feet & definitely won't be the last so by all means go for it! I just subbed as well!

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

@@andrewmccarn Thank you

[@cattleNhay]

For any beginner turners…stuff this size is best starting off about 1800 rpm

[@jobyshaw5459]

I agreee

[@jvmiller1995]

That would make a badass sink in a bathroom

[@user-fn6ui7og9n]

Мастерство не знает границ и оно вне политики, коллега браво, очень проффесиональная работа, это я говорю как краснодеревщик

[@donuszko1]

Who ever your camera person is, they doing a great job! fantastic video my friend!!!

[@andrewmccarn]

Im the camera person so thank you! lol also Go pack, excited to see how Love does this year!

[@susanholiday7347]

Looks like the Flintstones spare tire... lol.

[@andrewmccarn]

LOL Would make for a bumpy ride!

[@SilverBack.]

Andrew if you intend to turn more that size it might be an idea to find a fabricator and get them to make a Y set of legs that fit with the trunk of the Y under the bed of the bed extension because that constant waggle will stress fracture the join between the lathe and extension

[@andrewmccarn]

I actually have been looking into getting a small welder & making one myself lol I took some welding classes back in school so I have a very basic understanding but thought it might make for a cool video lol Right now I just have a 2x4 wedged under it to help stabilize it. It does the job but definitely isnt a long term solution

[@GRIZZ357]

WOW no joke on maxing out the lathe brother, the bowl is spot on. Massive turn great job on the finish, what type of oil did you use? You rocked it

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate the compliment, I had to see what this lathe could handle lol For this piece I went with Tried & True's Varnish Oil.

[@GRIZZ357]

@andrewmccarn I'll put a shout out to your channel on my next video brother

[@olofdahlstedt9918]

Just checked for a lathe like yours. I can get a pretty Nice car for that price😢 Keep on turning

[@andrewmccarn]

lol Yeah theyre not the cheapest tool! The lathe and extension was total around $3500. I went with the 110v so it wasn't the MOST expensive lol

[@louisjcharlett5804]

Wonderful turn! I'm curious how the epoxy fill will react/hold up with time. An update will be appreciated. Thank You.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! So far still holding strong with no changes

[@mattprofewhitney5638]

How did you finish off the Tennon? Big jam chuck or massive Cole Jaws? I’d have loved to have seen that. Great job!

[@andrewmccarn]

Just a jam chuck! I have one I made thats around 5" diameter and 8" tall with some padding on the end.

[@marknienstadt6963]

I am surprised how well that machine handled that heavy wood. I have the same machine without the extension.

[@andrewmccarn]

I am as well! lol Not because its a bad one but just wasn't sure what the motor could handle. I recommend the extension if youre interested in turning larger pieces!

[@MrRupertguy]

Super cool - One day I will invest in one of these nice heavy lathes - Out of interest, what was the total time actually spent on the turning and finishing ?

[@andrewmccarn]

You wont regret it! For this, turning wise was around 8 hours I believe but that is also having to start and stop for filming. Sanding and finishing was probably an hour.

[@jessalford5927]

What finish did you use? It made the wood look beautiful.

[@andrewmccarn]

I used a tung oil finish for this one! Specifically Real Milk Paint Co. Half & Half. Its a great finish!

[@charlesnichols1215]

I've been enjoying your large bowl videos and i am anticipating going that route when I get my shop finished this year. Would you recommend the laguna 2436 or is the weight of the blanks more of an unanticipated obstacle?

[@andrewmccarn]

If I had 220v I would definitely get the 2436, have heard some good things about that one!

[@TroyWest-jw4ut]

Great piece. Did you rough turn the piece, and let it dry a bit, or just turn the final piece green?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Troy & this was just once turned to final thickness then dried for a few weeks

[@hardknotwoodcraft]

I'm sitting here watching you turn this thing, and then you mention that your lathe is a 1.5hp 110V and I'm like, wtf am I doing over here? lol. I've been fearful of turning a 20" piece on my 3hp 3-phase Grizzly. Guess my inexperience is making me too cautious. Beautiful piece.

[@andrewmccarn]

Get you a big chunk on there asap! Its a whole different experience turning something large, one of my favorite things to do. That 3hp would probably eat a large bowl up so I wouldnt worry about it!

[@miguelsermeno8200]

Wow, what an awesome sized bowl. Great job, I’d be a bit scared myself to tackle this project. One question, what type/brand screws do you use on the faceplate when turning the outside of the bowl? I have issues with the heads breaking off when screwing then in😅

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks! I had the same issue, constant breaking and bending and spending 30 minutes getting them out. I got these at lowes, I believe they are the Simpson Strong Tie Hex Screws. I bought them a few months back so I dont remember specifically but they have been fantastic. I havent had one bend or break so I would recommend them for sure.

[@miguelsermeno8200]

@@andrewmccarn Awesome, thanks for the info! Happy turning!

[@crackerjack3359]

Lovely. Maybe a core or two from the next one?

[@andrewmccarn]

Would love to but the last time I tried to core on the extension I ended up getting a bad catch and bending the only coring knife I have for my oneway system so I am currently saving up for a new one! lol I was trying to core without stabilizing the end of the extension like I did here which caused too much down force on the knife without the back end to support it if that makes sense.

[@crackerjack3359]

I'm using the McNaughton sytem and I only core if the piece is worth it. I understand the the downward forces an on a 14' to 16' core, I really have to hang on tight.@@andrewmccarn

[@andrewmccarn]

@@crackerjack3359 Thats a good system too! If the oneway knives weren't so expensive then I might would give it a go again with using the board to help prop the end but Im a little hesitant to try since theyre like $200 a knife lol

[@dapow60]

Your bowls are beautiful. What is the moisture content of those huge pieces?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I never really check when I first turn them; they are always green so they can be pretty high but I will typically try and wait for 12% or lower before finishing it.