Crafting a Figured Chestnut Mystery Bowl - woodturning project

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

It Amazes me how much vibration that Record Power lathe can take!😲

[@MikeHolton]

I'm not even pushing it ☺️

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

@@MikeHolton Hey Mike, You wouldn't happen to be a motorcycle rider!? Just curious 🤔

[@MikeHolton]

@@AGRIV8TD1963 No, never ridden one in my life lol

[@ruthportway5198]

Carry on producing unusual forms very tangible. Please carry on producing these unusual items

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Ruth, I will 😀

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

Unusual & Cool!❤ Nice piece Mike😅

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 👍

[@mhaz49]

Super job. Off center turnings raise my BP so I don't do many. Really lime the Danish Oil finish - one of my favorites.

[@MikeHolton]

They certainly are a thrilling ride 😁, Danish oil is great as long as you have petience.

[@davidbaxter5132]

Another super exploration/ tutorial/ discovery all in one. I like listening to you work it out from idea, through making, to finish. I try to 'look and listen' to my blanks tell me the way to go, but too often I feel I don't hear it right .. but you certainly do! I have a piece of crotch wood cut into two to give a matching pair; perhaps I will try to follow your lead? I will need to watch the video a few more times first! Many thanks, Mike.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks David, it takes a bit of practice but I'm very open to different design ideas so changing is never a real problem. I'm generally just happy to get to the end with it still being in one piece 😁

[@albertdawson6814]

I like the way you saw that. That is a very beautiful piece and an enjoyable video. Thank you for sharing. I hope to see you on the next one

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Albert, I am glad you liked this one, there is another video out today but it is just to give away the bowl we made a couple of week ago. Hopefully I will have another video ready to go out on Thursday. All the best, Mike

[@lyndaowen2154]

I like that that was really cute! Wood turners don’t make mistakes they just make smaller bowls. I’ll be sure to remember that when I am at my lathe. I will probably make me a plaque and frame it just so I make sure I remember. Good one!--oh that turned out so gorgeous the shape and the finish just really made that wood pop. It surprising what a difference a good finish does because I initially thought the wood was kind of plain but I was definitely wrong. Thank you for sharing once again.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Lynda, this has to be one of my favourites, the shape and the wood are just so pretty in my eyes, I know I made it but I've made plenty of things I don't like. This one I love 😃

[@racheldray1057]

Now I have got my lathe and am turning, i appreciate the difficulty of those wings! Great design and beautiful bowl

[@MikeHolton]

You can do it Rachel, give it a go 😀

[@brentbeacroft7530]

Another very interesting turn, enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Brent, all the best, Mike

[@nordy67]

Very creative use of an oddly shaped bit of wood.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much, I had to look at this piece for a few days before deciding what to do with it.

[@petershipman7314]

Wonderful wood grain 🎉❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Peter 😀

[@sharonayres6102]

Great demonstration, and love the bowl! Great job!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Sharon 😀

[@ElsbethOtterbe]

Been enjoying your work immensely over the last few weeks. Happily giving a “Like”:and subscribe. I work in textiles, so absolutely fascinated as you share your thought processes and decisions as you design and work. You are an excellent teacher.

[@MikeHolton]

Awesome, thank you Elsbeth, it may not surprise you to know that my day job is lecturing at a local University 😀

[@williamswhistlepipes]

5:09 I need a place to chuck this 😂😂😂😂😂. Didn’t think you would give up that easily……. Great work👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MikeHolton]

😂😆😃😂😆😃😂😆😃😂😆😃 Thanks, I just spat my coffee out 😂😆😃😂😆😃

[@William_Kenny]

A stunning piece Mike nicely done mate 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much William 😀

[@donnagreen7386]

That’s fab!!! Your work is always stunning :)

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@johnermlich7882]

Great vision to see the finished turning

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John, this is one of my favourite turnings to date. All the best, Mike

[@Keiths_Shopsmith]

Beautiful piece of work. I love your process for working it out.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Keith 😃

[@brycegenevaostler9359]

Very nice job again. See you next week.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Bryce, next Tuesday will be the giveaway, but I will put a project video out on Thursday. All the best, Mike

[@timponder7487]

Very unique and beautiful Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tim, glad you liked it 😃

[@bnaivar]

An excelent job of finding the piece within the piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! I knew (hoped) it was in there somewhere 😃

[@kerstin4516]

I never left a protruding rim on top of the board. Usually I open the bowl a bit into the board. But next time I'm gonna try your rim as it looks very cool. Chestnut is such a beautiful wood. One won't believe it looking at the raw material. Happy turning!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Kerstin, if you have a go please send me a picture, I would love to see your creations. All the best, Mike

[@juliebarker1531]

A lovely unique piece there. well done

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Julie, this one was a lot of fun to make (if you ignore the vibrations lol)

[@billrose2083]

Mike, this is a fabulous idea !! I assume since you wanted it to tilt to one side you are using it to display something in the bowl itself. This was a very interesting idea. Making an item off center in a one piece construction has its own distinctive challenges for safety. I'm glad it worked out. Have a great vacation !!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Bill, this still has to be one of my favourite pieces to turn, I loved the process 😀

[@billrose2083]

@@MikeHolton I'm cutting up my large burls today. Been sitting for over a year and I see some ants under the bottom. Who knows !! Maybe they made some cool designs under there. These things HAVE to be 3 feet tall by 2-1/2 to 3 feet wide at the base. Don't know how to send pics.

[@MikeHolton]

@@billrose2083 If you can, send me an email, [e-mail] I would love to see them

[@mnp1964]

It is a beautiful bowel Mike how ever I would have done it the opposite way around and saved some of that beautiful rustic side blessings to you and yours

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Wade, I intend to turn the other side the other way up to see how it comes out 😃

[@thehampshirewoodturner]

That was an extremely clever way of making the best use of that wood mike, another great job

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Steve, and my fingers are all still there 😃

[@raydriver7300]

I started watching your video when there were only two likes but then I had to leave for work. I’ve returned and it was well worth the wait. Another fine piece, Mike 🌞

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Ray, and thanks for coming back 😃

[@lindapratt1824]

Really inspiring. I love this wood

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Linda, this piece of chestnut has some amazing grain!

[@Ken.norwood2]

Love this one.

[@MikeHolton]

This is one of my absolute favourites 🙂

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

Mmmmm... Chestnut!!!😅

[@MikeHolton]

Indeed 😊

[@Brendas-Boscage]

Beautiful bowl thanks for sharing

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you like it Brenda, all the best, Mike

[@andrewhall1693]

Nice work Mike ......thanks for sharing

[@MikeHolton]

You are welcome Andrew, sorry for the delay getting back to you. All the best, Mike

[@nickyt3269]

WOW. beautiful!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@Angela-en6oh]

Hello Mike. Yet another exquisite piece - thank you. I did fear that Hooch the Pooch, might fly off the lathe at the beginning, but he hung on right to the end. I like these off-centre bowls very much. They always combine practicality with beauty, keeping the ‘essence’ of the original tree at their heart for the woodturner to draw out. And you have demonstrated this with aplomb. Well done. 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Angela for those very kind words and for teaching me a new word 'aplomb' not sure why but I have never come across that one before 😆

[@Angela-en6oh]

@@MikeHolton Ah! You are welcome. 😁 And I look forward to my next woodturning lesson as well.

[@MikeHolton]

@@Angela-en6oh Haha, sounds like a fair deal, Tuesday is the giveaway prize but there will be another 'making of' video out on Thursday 😁

[@oneturnatatime6309]

Excellent work 👍

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Jojo, loved your bamboo off centre bowl by the way, that was stunning!

[@oneturnatatime6309]

@@MikeHolton Thanks a lot 🙏

[@mickwilson127]

It’s commonly said in the military that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, seems it’s true of bowl turning too 😂. Lovely job as always Mick.

[@MikeHolton]

So true Mick, adjust, adapt and know the enemy. Luckily this piece of wood was beautiful so even an egg cup would have looked good 😊

[@crackerjack3359]

Hey Mike. I ended up watching this again by accident (not unusual at my age). I did enjoy the video again and really like the end product. I notice that you used steel wool to cut the finish. I have now switched entirely to 3m fiber pads which give just as good if not better finish, without the stray bits of steel everywhere. Its been a boon to me since I also build Cigar Box Guitars with magnetic pick ups, and the steel wool fragments produced by polishing the necks, tended to drift to the magnetic pickups. The pads are a cleaner process altogether.

[@MikeHolton]

Hi there, I have a few fibre pads as well I use now which really work great 😃 thanks

[@canoetipper019]

Very interesting looking bowl.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers!😃

[@spiderspid]

Totally lost on your description at the start , but it all made sense in the end and turned out fantastic!!

[@MikeHolton]

Yeah, my description was not great lol, glad we got there in the end. 😃

[@rickfetting2347]

Beautiful work

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much 😀

[@brucerowan6630]

Again, you have out done yourself. Great and imaginative turning. Really enjoy watching you turn.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Bruce😀

[@boydblack9087]

Beautiful piece. I enjoy watching what can be found in a piece of wood. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀, this was a lot of fun to make if not just a little scary at times.

[@Henry-n7n8]

cool, a bowl with a cutting surface,, very nice

[@MikeHolton]

😂 it may be a bit wobbly 😆

[@Henry-n7n8]

@@MikeHolton yep,, maybe turn like a wooden doughnut to act as a stabilizer? still a great turning, good looking finish, you do some amazing stuff.

[@MikeHolton]

@@Henry-n7n8 Thanks, I'll look into that idea next time, all the best, Mike

[@mariabasil9631]

Wow - beautiful!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Maria 😃

[@tomburns7544]

I was a bit of a Doubting Thomas at the beginning because of the challenges you pointed out at the start. I was thinking, "How's he gonna make THAT work?" But you certainly did make it work and it turned out wonderfully! Great job as usual, Mike! 👍!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Tom, must admit I did have second thoughts a little while into the project wondering if I had made the right call.

[@tomburns7544]

@@MikeHolton some projects I've done have teetered on the edge of disaster throughout their entirety but when it turns out well, the feeling is one of triumph. Again, well done you!

[@MikeHolton]

@@tomburns7544 Thanks my friend 😁

[@E-Glide]

Very nice, Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😃

[@waynejones6215]

Great piece

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly Wayne

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very nice another great video.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks David, this is still just about one of my favourite pieces.

[@harryshaw4998]

Very nice good video about a plan for the work to come

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Harry, glad you enjoyed it, all the best, Mike 😀

[@MightyWizardTim]

It's a weeble bowl. It wobbles but it won't fall down. Great piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, love the name, thanks Tim 😆

[@AlienLeader4]

Very cool bowl. Like how you push through odd pieces of timber and make it work out beautifully. Keep up the great work.👽

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much, there were a few times things did not go to plan so the ability to think on your feet is always a useful skill to have, doesn't always work but I got away with it this time 😃

[@DavePlutto]

Very cool like the design

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Dave 😀

[@79Firegirl]

Very nice piece.. love it..

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Firegirl 😃

[@rexmorgan6445]

Thank you for explaining what you are doing and why. I have learned so much from watching your videos.

[@MikeHolton]

You are so welcome Rex, and thanks for taking the time to say, it means a lot to me, Mike

[@lv_woodturner3899]

I love the bowl. Well done. I like the thinner wings. As you said, a lot of interesting figure in the wood. American chestnut is not easy to find these days, sad to say, due to disease. I was talking to a local woodworking friend, he said that PA and other states ash will have the same scarcity due to ash borers killing the trees which will also be sad. Dave.

[@MikeHolton]

That is sad Dave, I hope it does not get over here as we have so much chestnut and ash. Those along with sycamore, oak and beech make up for a huge percentage of our hardwood trees. All the best, Mike

[@StuartMcLean-u9o]

Interesting piece. I'm not sure I would have attempted it, but thanks for the idea

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, the hardest bit to cope with are the vibrations, try it but with less of an offset to see how you get on. All the best, Mike

[@LadyKatJPhillips]

That was genius how the bowl came 'up" out of the wood! 🎉 I loved watching you puzzle this out! You have a level bowl! Bravæ!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Lady Kat, I loved watching emerge as well, love it when a plan comes together 😃

[@k9insomniac783]

I’m really loving that shape. The raised edge of the bowl on the top side adds such a smooth element to the natural edges of the wood. Another beautiful piece my friend.

[@MikeHolton]

Cheers Shawn, I do like the way this came out 😃

[@k9insomniac783]

@@MikeHolton I really should start using Danish oil more on my finishes. I think it’s my patience that gets in the way of that. Lol. All the best my friend.

[@MikeHolton]

@@k9insomniac783 I think it's what put a lot of people off, it is a real pain to do lol

[@fionanaylor6104]

A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma…that was this bowl. Fascinating to hear you describe your planning and how you adapted to the changing faces of this bowl. The bowl itself is beautiful, and, as I am a foodie, I can see the bowl being filled with nachos 😋 (Or could be used as a Stoup at home for blessing…) 👍🏻💗

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Fiona, I have never come across the word 'Stoup' before, every day we learn something new 😃. Must admit though, not a fan of nachos 😂

[@fionanaylor6104]

Other snax are availble 😂 just don’t use the bowl for both snacks and holy water, otherwise you will end up with soggy snax 😁😂😂😂

[@keithgolds3289]

Thank you for showing the process of off centre turning another great demo

[@MikeHolton]

You are so welcome Keith, best tip is to keep your fingers well away 😃

[@marklawrence64]

Another very enjoyable watch, resulting in a great looking piece. You really did do the blank proud 👍🏽😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly Mark, the blank was beautiful, it deserves something different. All the best, Mike

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Great work. I’m happy you were able to see this piece in the raw blank. The design is splendid. I knew the wood had lots of character, but when you added the DO, the grain, spalt, burl, crotch, and curl figure all showed up for the party. A stunning piece for sure. Love that it’s footless as well. Great job!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Doug, piece of wood had so many possibilities but none were straight forward. I was tempted to cut it in half to make two smaller pieces but so glad I didn't. All the best my friend. Mike

[@vinimarshall7301]

Turned out really nice for a knuckle wacker , i wouldnt know where to start😂😂

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks Vini, I have done a few odd shapes recently and getting pretty good at keeping my fingers well out the way 😃

[@DavidMulldune-j7o]

Nice bowl !!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 👍 😃

[@jaxxlawson4545]

Enjoyed that turning. I was intrigued at the start as to how you were going to create the bowl.. Worked beautifully and once the finish had been applied, it was stunning 😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Jaxx, this one was fun to make even if finding the bowl was interesting work lol.

[@NCGreen]

😮holy moly that is such a beautiful piece of art. Love the hard work you put into every piece. Keep up the great work

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Scott😀

[@PeteBeardsley]

When I saw the back of the piece I really didn't have the vision to see where a bowl could evolve from, but it was there all along. Great job Mike and good to hear your train of thought as you went along. Thanks.

[@MikeHolton]

You are so welcome my friend, I loved trying to find the bowl in this one, just not keen on the wobble lol. All the best, Mike

[@WoodWizardrybyColin]

Absolutely Stunning Really well done and the commentary was very good too

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly my friend 😃

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Nice bowl Mike, I do a lot of bowls like this some offcentre but mostly left squarish or rectangular, not so much defined wings though. Great tutorial video

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Greg, I have done a few winged bowls over the last few months and must admit I am really starting to enjoy it. All the best, Mike

[@joesmith1574]

Those bowls are fun to make, aren’t they? I used black cherry for my bowl, a little smaller, though. Unfortunately, I turned through the bottom and left a hole about one and a quarter inch diameter. Oh, no! I turned a plug out of walnut, and set it in place, all is well! If I could figure out how to send you a picture of it, I would. Yours turned out great! Like the rough edge and the bark on it, very nice!

[@MikeHolton]

Hi Joe, I would love to see a pic, just email me at [e-mail]

[@williamweaver4946]

That is a beautiful piece right there! Really like how you showed your train of thought while working on this. Bit of a tough one to map out prior to doing it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much William, you are right there, it was a bit of a leap of faith. All the best, Mike

[@jefflodge3348]

I love this one. Is it difficult keeping your hands away from the corners, as they’re wizing by at 600 rpm?

[@MikeHolton]

Fear and experience helps you keep your fingers well clear. 😃

[@jsprankel4712]

Came out beautiful, Mike! Now, what will you do with it? I only ask as I've never seen a design like that.

[@MikeHolton]

Not sure yet, at the moment it's sat with about 10 others lol, any ideas?

[@SusanZiegler]

I love that design! And the wood is stunning. I'm curious. There are almost no chestnut trees left in the US (chestnut blight about 100 years ago). Do they still grow in the UK or EU?

[@MikeHolton]

Oh yes, they are everywhere 😃

[@robertfulton1915]

Hi Mike I guess one could add 3 short spools ( legs ) to the flat part so it sits like a little table ? Bob Fulton Vancouver IsLand, BC Canada

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Bob, I guess you could, would make for an interesting looking piece. 😀

[@crackerjack3359]

Customers either love or hate these kind of bowls. I love them though they do make you sweat a bit, and grit your teeth at times.Nice job. I'm not sure why you re-cut the bottom and tenon after the nub knocked it off center., after all the tenon and the base were aligned and the nub was removed.

[@MikeHolton]

Hi there, I still needed to sand and being off centre it would have made it a nightmare. I probably could have got away with it but I had enough wood to get it right so I did. If it was the right call I'm not sure but it seemed the right call at the time. All the best, Mike

[@nameless6252]

Did your boots fill up with shavings?

[@MikeHolton]

Yes they do! I really must do something about that lol 😊

[@dozukime]

With such an odd shaped bowl could you not leave the bottom as it was, slightly off centre?

[@MikeHolton]

Sorry I'm not with you?

[@dozukime]

@@MikeHolton After removing the tailstock you noticed it was off centre, could you not have left it & started the top?

[@MikeHolton]

@@dozukime I get you now, sorry for the confusion. No I needed the bottom of the bowl to be square and running true before I turned it round otherwise it would have given uneven wall thicknesses and rim. All the best, Mike

[@dellacampbell7058]

Beautiful but i don't care for the sharp corners on the collar ❤

[@MikeHolton]

That's OK, it's not for everyone 😀

[@deehenry1983]

this really is fantastic! i thought it would lean too, but hey - i was wrong :P wonderful content as always, and congrats on the 7.7k subs!!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Hi Dee, thanks and thanks!! I was really expecting it to lean as well but you can't win them all lol, all the best, Mike

[@joesmith1574]

If only it actually took five seconds to sand, I could triple my daily production!

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, I know, sanding is the downside to the hobby but we have to do it.

[@bobatlawshall]

🌟🌟

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😊

[@raiftadehara9218]

Nice bowl! Are you familiar with the KZbin channel yamabiko wood art? I think you might find his lampshade videos interesting

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks I do subscribe to his channel, I'll go and look again for the lampshades, thanks 😀

[@DavidMulldune-j7o]

Nice bowl !!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers! 😃