I Spent a Week Trying To Turn & Core These Huge Wood Bowls on My Lathe!

[@kunkprime6980]

Welcome to the "Funnel" club. What I do is to turn the bottom out until it has a thick enough edge to accommodate a glued in a highly contrasting wood plug (like Purple Heart), turn it smooth and call it a feature. Some folks asked if I had any more with the "decorative Plug"...kunk

[@northernhumidor5615]

I was literally going to write that you should consider the one way coring system. One little tip , when starting you’re cut out, put you’re hand on top of the cutter arm and put a slight downward pressure ,it will help with the cutter jumping.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate the tip & I definitely will try that next time! I had considered doing it a few times but was a little hesitant getting my hand that close to the bowl

[@tonyblanco305]

Love this video and the different format. I've watched a number of your other projects and those are also great. I honestly think there is a place for both types within your catalog. As a newer turner who is still developing, I appreciate the 'under the hood' aspect and your perspective from this one. Either way: keep up the great work and thank you for sharing.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Tony! I completely agree about having a place for both. I really enjoyed making this video & I think keeping it in my "style" of video really helps it fit in with the others. Im already looking forward to some other ideas I have in mind. Thank you for watching & the comment!

[@FortInTheWoods]

Love this format! Enjoy seeing the thought going into everything as well as the unexpected things. Hope to see more like this as well as the shorter format.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate it man! Ive got some longer & shorter vlogs planned!

[@sharpshooter470]

Andrew, Thanks so much for taking the time to share your journey of coring with the OneWay system and Korpro cutter. I too have been down this road, and share all the problems you encountered. You will never regret buying the Korpro. Here are a couple of tips for you to consider. 1. When using the larger knives and the binding issue arises, try to change the width of the cut by moving the base 1/16” toward you and re-cutting the groove. Yes, you lose a bit of bowl size but the coring cutter will now work. 2. Consider cutting a tenon on the top face of the every bowl. This will allow you to do two things. One, re-cut the bottom tenon should it fail, and two, have a tenon for reversing the cores to make a new foot. 3. The natural edge cutting is tricky any way you go about it. After coring about 100 bowls I agree your method works best for me also. A larger set of chuck jaws is worth checking out as well. Happy Turning. Chuck

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share some awesome tips! So for the binding, the sliding over is something I have tried but I was still having problems but it was still always occurred around halfway or so into the bowl which is why I ended up taking the grinder to my #4 knife. I didn't really have that issue with any of the other ones but that one was constant. What I love about the Korpro is its kerf is wider than the support so it seems I shouldnt have any issues with it anymore which i'll add I didnt in this video so thats a step in the right direction lol Now I LOVE the tenon idea. Never really considered doing that. What I have been doing is when I round out the blank, I have been drilling a hole for the wormwood screw so I would just use it when Id return the bowl but since it was never perfectly centered with the faceplate it would always be somewhat off balance. I will absolutely be trying the tenon though next time. And for the natural edge coring, that seems to be what I have found while doing some more research. I think if I would have had the speed up a little bit more it wouldnt have been so stressful so thats something I will do a little different next time. And you read my mind, earlier today I was wondering how much a larger set would be! lol Thank you again for the wonderful feedback, I really do appreciate you taking the time to help & comment!

[@padan3729]

Great job brother! I second the hand on top with downward pressure! Also when starting into the blank I spin the rest around and put the post as close to the blank as I can get it. Loved today's video! Keep up the good work!

[@andrewmccarn]

I will absolutely be trying that next time! I kept trying to lift up on the back of the handle to create the downward pressure and I figure now thats why I was getting so much vibration there at the start when I shouldve just been holding it down like y'all have been suggesting lol Sometimes the solution is as simple as it seems! I appreciate ya watching and thank you for the comment!

[@PoisonShot20]

My favorite lathe to be! Dreaming about it, next year, but I'm get the 16" .

[@iamwad2216]

Awesome video! I do my best not to core without tail stock support and was inspired to see you achieve this without the support. I have run into many of the issues you highlight in this video and seeing "my problems" replicated in in this video makes me feel like maybe I am not crazy. Thank you for sharing and keep producing beautiful bowls!

[@andrewmccarn]

I use to try and use it every time but I dont know if I had the wrong type of center in it or what but I could never get it to go over the coring system or either I had something set up incorrectly so I just gave up on using it! lol And definitely not crazy! I think we all just going through the learning pains together lol I appreciate the comment!

[@daveschmitt6369]

Andrew, you should go to the manufacture about what you discovered and your solution. You may find that they modify their design, who knows, perhaps you can test the new versions.

[@brendadriver2702]

Thanks for all the valuable tips Andrew!

[@andrewmccarn]

I always appreciate the kind comments Brenda!

[@joeblow7489]

Andrew, very nice work. I always enjoy your videos whichever style they are. You’re more artistic ones are beautiful, the images are great but I like hearing you talk about things as they happen as well. I think all turners have had one of those catches that send a bowl off the chuck. Your perseverance and patience with it is commendable. I do not have a coring system, yet. I’m not sure if that’s in my future or not but I do appreciate your comments on it. I’m curious if you have a day job or if you are able to make a living making bowls and other turned art. I only recently become addicted to turning but thankfully am retired and can survive on government issued pocket change.😅 Keep up the great work!

[@andrewmccarn]

I really appreciate the kind words & comment! I love making both types of videos and I think if I can find a good balance of both then I'll be set! Funny enough, turning and just woodworking in general has taught me ALOT about being patient lol Its a great teacher for it. And woodworking/turning is my full time job! My business is called Carolina Grain Co. but this year I have taken a step back from that to focus on more of my artistic & personal work. Carolina Grain is more of items I continually make like spoons, rolling pins and other utilitarian items but I have been full time with it for around 6/7 years now. I still make all those things but just not as frequent right now as I use too. And be careful with the wallet and turning tools, it can be a black hole on the bank account if youre not careful! lol

[@joeblow7489]

@@andrewmccarn That’s great! I did the same when I was your age. Loved photography, bought my own equipment as I could. Did some free work and eventually just went out on my own. That did lead me to computer graphics and finally programing. It’s great if the thing you love can provide for your family too. It’s also good to take time from the daily work that pays the bills to explore. You’re doing great in my book!

[@jameskuhlman9835]

That oops isn't firewood, it's a lampshade. JS. Great insight, liking this format. Could you do another sometime about how you set up the coring cuts?

[@MarykateMcCarn]

That’s what I told him!

[@andrewmccarn]

I would have loved too and thats still on the project list & I didnt show it in the video but there was actually a really bad crack running down the side of the wood of that piece from the coring that I figured it wouldnt have been worth the time to fix it and the bottom was very thin. I hated having to get rid of it! But absolutely! At the moment I am still learning how to setup the cuts but once I feel like I am comfortable with it then I would be more than happy too!

[@jameskuhlman9835]

@@andrewmccarn All I can say is that there are times when something doesn't have to be perfect to be perfect. The faults have a beauty of their own. But, your project your rules, y'know?

[@taylorbynam1929]

I have a 1524 lathe with a 1.5hp motor. Do you think it would be powerful enough to core with? I believe it’s the same motor as the 1836.

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

Yes that, the Korpro, is the bit I was talking about. I thought I had watched this video but I had only watched part of it.

[@VickiAndersonwoodturning]

Good gravy. I clearly watched the videos in reverse order. Hahahaha Glad you found the Kropro cutter. Love your format for this video. You did really well with the composition and flow of it all. Great job.

[@andrewmccarn]

To be fair, I did post them in reverse order but I was just too excited to share how well this all worked out! lol And thank you, this video was very experimental for me since it was my first time doing anything like this. I have got use to my normal bowl videos that this forced me to think outside the box a little bit! I really appreciate the feedback & kind words!

[@jonnyglucose72]

Really enjoy your channel. Great demos. Looking to purchase a Lagona lathe like yours. You sold me on this lathe. Thank you so much! You inspire me.😅

[@andrewmccarn]

Its been a great lathe! My one recommendation though is if you can afford it or have the power, go with the 220v! I appreciate the kind words!

[@joeehrlich2898]

Andrew, thank you!! Congratulations, you showed me it is possible to core over the extension. I truly didn't think it could be done without the tailstock. I apologize for doubting you, sir!! Man, what an incredibly informative, well-done video. I really like what you are doing. Thank you for sharing with us. I have thought of purchasing the cutting head for about a year now. I'm still dragging my feet since the whole system was so expensive anyway. I have $800.00 in the coring system alone. But obviously we have to pay for the quality of good tools. Did you have a problem with mounting that cutting tip? I have seen a couple of different fixes. Jim Sprague has a pretty good video on what I think is the best fix so far. I don't know if Hunter tools has modified the tip yet. I look forward to your next video! Thanks again

[@andrewmccarn]

First off thank you very much for watching! After I had my bad catch last year I honestly wasnt sure how possible it was either just until a few weeks ago when I just had to try again and I am glad I did! After this week I highly recommend the cutter head if you plan on doing and decent amount of coring. It really did make a huge difference in the time it took to get it all done. I was blown away by the amount of time I saved. And the cutter head went on just fine; I didnt have any issues at all with it! But again, I really do appreciate the comment and thank you for the kind words!

[@jkurbanski6475]

Gotta love all the wood pasta! Great video, keep up the amazing work! 😎

[@andrewmccarn]

The wood shavings are make turning green wood so much fun! Thank you for the comment!

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Excellent. The new cutters worked great.

[@andrewmccarn]

They did, definitely was the solution I have been looking for!

[@Hog-g2z]

Great territorial, well thought and laid out, And well done on your turning, I’ve actually been thinking about purchasing the one-way coring system, as I have been following quite a few people over the last three or four years using this device, and yes there has been a lot of people talk about the hunter tool cutter, it seems to be a must, though it is expensive, keep up the great work stay safe. See you next week.,

[@andrewmccarn]

I highly recommend the oneway if you are wanting to get into coring! I started with the number 2 knife and I think its a great entry point to learn the basics and if the budget allows, after this week I have to recommend the Korpro cutter as well! I appreciate the comment!

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

very nice. The style and content of this video is spot on. Great information thanks.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that & thank you for watching!

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

Very nice work, Andrew. I am in the process of purchasing a used One Way easy core system for my Laguna 1836, same as yours. I have a number of green Black Cherry burls, and I just cannot turn them into 90% shavings. I enjoyed how you approached what you were doing on this video. I love turning big bowls. I am working on a 17" x 7" Apple Wood fruit bowl right now. I wish I hadn't turned the majority of it into shavings. The chickens love it, but I only got 2 bowls out of a couple of large blanks. I ordered the 20" lathe extension kit for the 1836. I waited over 3 months for it to show up with little to no correspondence from Laguna. I finally got frustrated and canceled the order. I will try again at a later date. Thank you for a perfect video on where I am heading with my turning. I've been turning since 1978 or 9 and I have grown weary of turning little stuff. At least for now, bigger is better. If I get the extension kit, I will be buying an engine hoist at the same time. I'm too old and fat to lift those monster pieces like you do. Thank you again.

[@andrewmccarn]

I bet the cherry burls are beautiful so I dont blame you for wanting to save what you can. The last time I worked with a cherry burl was when I helped my grandfather take down a dead cherry tree that was hanging over his garden and it had a nice little burl on it. Not much but enough to turn a little bowl from. Was the last tree I helped my paw take down before he passed away so that cherry burl is something I cherish. I bet the apple is beautiful as well! Thats not something I have had much opportunity to work with but its always been a great wood to turn, seems to love to warp as well. and I have heard of others having trouble ordering one. I bought mine from Woodcraft and I honestly didnt have any issues at all but know of others who have experienced what you have. If you do decided to get it then I dont blame you for the engine hoist, I think I need one as well sometimes lol

[@loranwfry-zu9pu]

They are definitely beautiful. I've made 2 pieces from small burls that looked like a vase, so it was easy to figure out what I was going to turn out of them. The big Apple fruit bowl turned out pretty nice. What a great memory of your Grandpa. I found a One Way Easy Core System, 16" to 24" with 2 knives, on Facebook Marketplace for $325. The guy says he never used it. It was still in the box and looks brand new. I feel like I ripped the guy off, but he said that was what he wanted for it. I had to order another clamp plate to fit the Laguna, and it just came today. I hope I can start coring this weekend. I have a bunch of big Red Maple pieces to play with.

[@billgeorgene]

Spin the lathe backwards by hand is the best method for clearing clogs out. Try it you’ll be surprised.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thats actually what I ended up doing once I got frustrated enough from the clogs and of course it worked perfectly! lol

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

No fire pit, make that funnel into a lamp shade. Roll with a pendant lamp or something. Nice video thanks for all the tidbits of information!

[@andrewmccarn]

Trust me, I didnt want to waste it but there was actually some really bad cracking running through it that I didnt show from how I popped it out. Its the reason I ended up chunking it or else I wouldve made a lamp shade! lol

[@nobodysbusiness8791]

The bowl at the 16 minute mark looks like the Death Star. Should've run with that theme.

[@andrewmccarn]

I was thinking Saturn but maybe turning a Death Star for next May 4th could make a fun project! lol

[@mymusic1509]

Great video Andrew! I have been thinking about buying the oneway system and the extension also. I have some large 28 inch dia. walnut logs currently under tarps. Thought it would be a shame to waste any of it. I admire your courage to give it a try. I guess that's how all of us learn new techniques. I have read that some turner spray a lubricant as the cutter is cutting helps. Again, great job.

[@andrewmccarn]

Its a great investment! I love the extension and its nice to have the oneway to help maximize the blank. And I completely agree; I know I have a heck of a time finding walnut so I would definitely want to avoid wasting any of it if possible! Its one of my favorites to turn. And I have read that as well! I have tried that in the past but didn't really notice a difference but now with the knew cutter, I may give it a shot again to see if it helps any.

[@OzfGP35]

Great work, love ur bowls 🥣 & excellent teaching Andrew most informative 👍

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!!

[@RealPeoplePerson]

Thank you for sharing your process! I was thinking customers might be interested in buying a set of three bowls, cored from the same piece of wood. Personally, I would enjoy being able to see the same colors and patterns in the wood across the bowls. Is this a thing, or is it just me?

[@johnwhitteron5296]

Great video Andrew. I've never done ant coring but looking forward to giving it a try. Many thanks.

[@andrewmccarn]

Highly recommend it!

[@joncox8334]

Ive the one way system and it’s very good. Consider getting the Korepro cutters and also i always cut large to small that means i can turn a tenon on the smallest one and then i can flip it to cut the tenon on each core before putting it back on the lathe to cut the next core.

[@andrewmccarn]

I had someone else share that technique as well and I am giving that a try next time. Seems a lot more efficient than what I am doing

[@johnwoods9995]

Great work, mate, and inspiring. I havevsome monster pieces aside I could cut into blanks but i'm a bit wary as they're dry and won't be easy to cut into. Plus, theyre all native New Zealand wood species thus dense and tight grained. Not even sure how to approach them....?! I love your modest confidence.

[@andrewmccarn]

Turn one and see how it goes to determine the rest of them! I know in the past I have had some pieces I thought were too dry or even too cracked, went ahead and tried to turn them anyways and they ended up being some of the prettiest bowls Ive made so you never know! Also being NZ species, I bet they are beautiful woods too. Y'all have some beautiful looking trees over there! lol

[@arvidjohansen5628]

Superb😀👍

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@chadw8077]

I had the same problem with one of the knife sets i have, had to grind it too. It's not just you...

[@andrewmccarn]

According to some other forums I read, it seems were not alone! Either way it worked and got the job done! lol

[@davidmiles9342]

First time watcher and have subscribed. I purchase a one way coring system about 3 months ago and have not gotten brave enough to try it. Time has also been a big issue. Already have the korpro cutter in my shopping basket.

[@andrewmccarn]

Awesome, thank you! My recommendation is to start small and get a feel for it. I will say if I had the korpro to start then I wouldve not had as much trouble with it as I did when I started but its not as bad as it seems even without it, just takes longer!

[@joshbrickle834]

Always a great day with an Andrew McCarn video! I’ve been meaning to ask, what type of turning tool do you predominately use and what type of grind does it have? Great video as always.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that! Hoping to get back to once a week here soon! and my three go-to tools for bowls are a 5/8ths bowl gouge with a swept back grind (Im not sure of the angle but if I had to guess it would be around 55 degrees), a 3/4 round nose scrapper and a detail gouge. Thats all I ever use for bowls and been using this setup for around 7 years now!

[@louisjcharlett5804]

Love the turning. Narration? Thanks.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! narration?

[@EnemyOfReality584]

I like to think of wood shavings in the beard as "beard extensions!" Happens to me all the time.

[@andrewmccarn]

haha never heard that one but I dig it! Yeah Im constantly forgetting they get stuck there too

[@18-tube-wattamp64]

I know the tailstock will help stabilize the piece, but won't it also help take a bit of load off the bearings? I have a large Laguna: will using the tailstock prolong the life of the bearings, motor, etc? Referring to the initial turning, not to the coring.

[@andrewmccarn]

Im honestly not sure! It probably does help but I don't really turn pieces like this too often but If I start doing it more consistently then I would start using it more.

[@SuperCruelworld]

I am heading out to the AAW in Portland next week was wondering if you had any intention to show up there? great vid. I have the same machine so I am always looking at how your unit is holding up

[@andrewmccarn]

I would have loved to go but not this year. I need to see if they are having a symposium near me. And I have had the lathe a little over the year and havent had any issues! Doing pretty well especially with what I put it through lol

[@SilverBack.]

the one you took the bottom out of could you not cut the piece you broke out and glue it back if not send it to me and I will do something with it ? Great video with superb information 👍👍

[@andrewmccarn]

I would have but I had actually went ahead and burnt it that day!

[@BrailsfordWoodworks]

did you get a Korpro for every knife? Nice informative video!

[@andrewmccarn]

I wish! lol Just stuck with the one for now to try it out. Going to have to sell a few bowls and save up for another lol

[@BrailsfordWoodworks]

@@andrewmccarn I bought the Oneway carbide cutters. I have heard that they can not hold a candle to the Korpro, but they are way cheaper.

[@andrewmccarn]

@@BrailsfordWoodworks That seems to be the case in my experience. I have used the carbide cutters for the past few months and they do ok especially compared to the normal ones but the korpro made both just look bad lol but yeah $55 for the carbide vs $200 for the korpro is a big difference.

[@philforeman7102]

What kind of wood is that?

[@andrewmccarn]

Its all maple!

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

You only learn by doing...the issues that you had with the edges dropping off on one side i start my natural edge bowls between centers and you can adjust the bowl so the wings are even while you rough out. It makes things better. Good luck.

[@andrewmccarn]

I agree 100% and thank you for the tip!

[@chadw8077]

challenge, make a lamp shade out of the "failed" bowl?

[@andrewmccarn]

I would have liked to however there was a pretty bad crack running down the side of the bowl from how I popped it off so I figured it wouldve been more work than what it was worth BUT a lamp shade is on my "to turn" list lol

[@matthewwright57]

Man its time for a 3hp, 24" lathe.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thats the dream!

[@annlaurie1484]

Liked the video and watching you persist with the coring, does look nerve wracking at times! 😅

[@andrewmccarn]

It definitely can be, especially the natural edge bowl but it usually is worth the stress! lol

[@robertcornelius3514]

"We're gonna need a bigger lathe."

[@andrewmccarn]

Love the reference! Jaws is such a good movie!

[@robertcornelius3514]

@@andrewmccarn , finally someone gets my humor. Shavings ahoy!

[@MarykateMcCarn]

I’m pretty sure you live in a constant state of beard dangles

[@andrewmccarn]

Its where I keep the good snacks & extra flavorings

[@matthewwright57]

I dont core natural edge bowls.

[@andrewmccarn]

I havent in the past but this made me want to try it again! lol