Facework: Cutting End Grain

Learn how to safely and cleanly cut "accross" end-grain while doing facework.
Opening tool: Hamet 3/8" bowl gouge with 40/40 grind

[@cannonfodder3677]

Very well demonstrated. Best I've seen in hundreds of videos.

[@outboardfixer]

Probably the best explained end grain video on here...very well done.

[@tomleahy8603]

This really helped me to understand the difference between spindle and bowl work, and how the bowl gouge severs the fiber and then removes the material. Great video. How could 42 people dislike this video? Clearly they have never tried to turn a bowl, or are professional "dislikers".

[@joe833a]

Thank you for the clear video showing your cut. I think this is the best I have seen yet.

[@alanmiller4012]

Thank you, Brian! That's the best explanation that I have seen yet about the proper way to turn the outside of a bowl.

[@TerrapinCreations666]

Wow. Thanks for this very thorough video. People like you make KZbin fabulous. I really loved the close up photos too.

[@murraypotts924]

Brian when it comes to explaining the fundamentals of wood turning you are second to no-one. I have a spinal CSF leak and requires me to be horizontal about 18 hours a day and I watch a lot of woodworking videos. So I think I am well placed to make that coment

[@yvindnilsen8849]

Very good demo. Thank you from a norwegian woodturner.

[@rkdavenport]

Wow, raising the bar with the excellent video and "camera" shots. So helpful. Efficient and paced instruction as well. Kudos ;-)

[@hasherscope]

Excellent explanation and demonstration of the end grain cut. This will make it much easier for me to find that groove that makes turning so much fun.

[@pianotorious47]

Watching this video again as I attempt some bowl work. This explanation is truly the best I have ever seen on the subject. Thanks so much.

[@gregwilson4982]

Thank you so much I've watched so many instructors show how to do it. But I never understood quite what was shown. You baby stepped me through. Thank you !

[@thomasbruckner9734]

Watched it also 3 times! Your Explanations and demonstrations are excellent, Brian!

[@arifikoseoglu5337]

Probably the best demonstration I have seen so far. Many thanks and congratulations.

[@flyingsawdustjemtz9226]

Excellent video explaining a challenging wood turning technique. You are truly an excellent teacher and videographer. Thank you.

[@arturoverde3807]

Thanks Brian, this video has put a lot of light on a dark subject and brought back a nightmare situation when I was working end grain. It finished with a broken window,a tang on my roughing gouge at 45 degrees and a expensive blank in three pieces and a very shaken turner Thanks for the guiding light .

[@victorstalick5528]

A great video. Well presented and explained. Brian is a great teacher.

[@JamesCouch777]

I'm a beginner and since I don't know what I'm doing this was very helpful, thank you. This is the best explanation I've seen and I've watched lots of videos 👍.

[@victorrussell6284]

Nice explanation of what's happening with the cut Brian. Many thanks.

[@gregjohnson8486]

Great lesson and well presented. I now feel I have a better understanding of grain direction and the tools that best accomplish the cut I want safely. Thanks for sharing! 👍🏾

[@MisterKisster]

I am going to go ahead and award you one of the best KZbin instructional teachers that I've seen. Hugely informative content in every single one of your videos. Very good video shots also. Thanks.

[@c.7959]

Ive not had any formal instruction - and whilst it looks fun and easy on videos, there are, as you can imagine, various issues that arise. Flying tools etc finally reulting in a broken tool post. I wanted to thank you for the time taken and detail shown in this video. I felt a black weight lift from my shoulders as you answered the questions that have been cloying at my soul. FANTASTIC! Some things you just can't figure out yourself, especially being a proponent of the bish bash bosh method. Gently does it. Nice one!

[@thomasckuzia7129]

Hi Brian, As a beginner wood turner I find this video as being excellent,excellent,excellent!!!! I well know from experience that trying to teach/show someone how to do something can be very difficult but you have mastered it very well! When you know how to do something and have been doing it for years it is very difficult to bring yourself back to "ground zero" and not forget all those little things that come naturally! Thank you very much for this video! Tom

[@mrgroovestring]

Excellent tutorial on cutting end grain. I have been looking for a clear explanation on how to make cuts on bowls, and your videos are top notch. You are a fine instructor, thanks for the help.

[@mrjoeyman]

Everyone who wants to be a wood turner, especially bowl turners, should (NEEDS TO) have to watch this video. I have been watching bowl turning for months now and teaching myself and this is the first and best instructional video that has addressed so many of the things that has allowed me to pinpoing things that I have been doing wrong, and struggling with. Thanks so much!

[@bcnubynby4056]

I'm very glad I watched this video. I saw the injury to the man you spoke of occur on KZbin but didn't understand what or how it happened. The information you have in this video is extremely valuable and useful. Thanks so much!!

[@AJsWargaming]

I've watches many bowl turning videos that are well presented. This unique description of the techniques and reasoning helped me further understand the techniques. Thank you for making this video. Thumbs up!

[@gracevanpelt6672]

This video is great. Very good explanation about how to cut end grain. I watched this late at night, and could not sleep because I wanted to try this. I finally managed to try it two days later. (Two sleepless nights). I still need practice, but this video helped me a great deal. I finished the outside of the bowl with very little sanding. You are an awesome teacher. Watching again today. I love being "At the Lathe" Kudos to you for helping me love it more.

[@vrb1960]

Thank you Brian, some of the most instructive videos on KZbin

[@hwtatton7648]

Excellent Video. Very helpful to a beginning woodturner.

[@KashaTsepesh]

Been turning for 6 months and this is the issue I ran into last night attempting my first bowl and it was rather frustrating to the point of stopping the project because my work piece came off my chuck. This was exactly what I needed to know. Works great. Thanks!

[@MikeWaldt]

Yet another excellent video Brian, you have a great ability to both explain, and demonstrate in a way that is both easy to understand, and a pleasure to watch. Take care Mike

[@timothygoff896]

been looking all over for in depth videos on what angle to attack with different gouges and this has been the only one with detailed explanation of how to position the tool and why you're doing it. Great Demonstration, very useful to a novice turner.

[@wessykes5450]

Thank you! Finally an explanation that actually focuses on what’s happening where the tool meets the wood.

[@petercrossley7383]

What a different watching your videos has made to my turning, explained & demonstrated well . Thanks Peter Crossley Sheffield England

[@BradsWorkbench]

Im glad i finally found a channel that can teach me without putting me to sleep. Thank you!

[@okieinva1]

My learning curve was just shortened! Great explanation and video work!

[@richardchiswell6517]

Excellent explanation and demo - many thanks

[@gdaruda]

Brian you're 100% right about getting a catch using a roughing gouge cutting end grain I got to meet a really good plastic surgeon while he was stitching up my left paw a couple of years ago. Funny part was he just bought a big new lathe to do hobby work for fun. I asked him who was going to fix his hand if he screwed up like me. hahaha

[@reef1175]

Thanks for the video. The most informative display.Laik is unequivocal.

[@101Echolab]

Thank you Brian you have some of the most informative, clear, well filmed quality tutorials on the web. I have just started turning for the first time and always seem to come back to your videos for a lesson. best regards.

[@Crustyswede1]

Great info for a beginner like me Brian. Thanks.

[@wortheffort]

One of better explanations I've seen.

[@billyeverson286]

Thanks Brian. Finally, someone who can explain a technique instead of just showing how good they are at turning!! Now if I can just hold those thoughts until I can make it to the lathe! Thanks again. Keep them coming.

[@jonminerich9498]

As a newby woodturner I have watched many videos on KZbin. Brian, your videos give the clearest instruction for beginners that I have seen. Not only do you cover technique, you give explanations why the technique is best for the application you are demonstrating. Finally, I appreciate your comments on safety. Overall, very well done. Thank you for your work. It is much appreciated.

[@mrlacroft]

Nice teaching video. I like the way you show how its done and the results of the cut.

[@ernestthebo5441]

Thank you Brian for a great video. Without it I'd have made every mistake you illustrated!

[@fa18mhr]

I am a new turner and I have searched a lot of KZbin videos searching for examples of not only good technique but more importantly, clear descriptions of how those cuts/tools were used. Yours was the first video that does both. Outstanding Brian. You are my hero. I tried to turn my first bowl about two months ago. I blew it up..TWICE before I threw it into the recycle bin. I have not screwed up the courage to turn another one until I saw this video so I am off to the shop to try again. Thank you.

[@thelevicole]

You are such a good teacher! Thank you so much for all of these videos.

[@sk13ppy]

Thank you very much for this awesome video, walking us through step by step and giving excellent explanations of all your techniques and the dangers of using the wrong tool and the wrong cut! Your audio is great and I love that you don't play music whilst you are talking and turning. 10/10 I have never given anyone a perfect score on youtube before. I've watched lots of men, and a few women, do bowl turning and you are the first to explain how you are cutting the end grain properly. 💜💚💙🤎

[@mariner8082]

Thank you for this video. As a relatively new woodturner I have struggled with the concept of endgrain and proper tool utilization. Your explanation and great camera work have helped me get past that hurdle.

[@dennismitchell5276]

I greatly appreciate the camera work. One picture is worth a thousand misunderstandings.

[@icespeckledhens]

Excellent explanation. thanks James

[@justinsane332]

im so glad I found your channel. between yours and worththeeffort, there is almost no limit to the education. obviously, there 8s no replacement for hands on, but this is about as good as it gets. thank you for your hard work

[@TimPiggott]

Really helpful video Brian. I recently got given a lathe - but I only got taught scraping techniques at school over 45 years ago! I really love your teaching style and camera work. One of the best I've seen - Thanks

[@MrWagner528]

Thank you for the lesson! Very informative. I learned alot and you helped to keep me safe.

[@jimdavidson3537]

Just rewatched this video for the third time. I find your "fundamentals" series my goto videos when I run into things that don't just seem right. Your technical approach creates understanding of not only the how but the why that appeals to this retired engineer. This is important to a new turner (been turning for about a year and a half) who now has lots of time to experiment. Thanks for this whole series, I have found none better. You are creating craftspersons (politically correct) out of the uninitated.

[@chuckcanham3516]

Thank you for great info , I am a beginner turner and I am glad I watched your video before I turned my first bowl, I will be watching all your videos ,

[@scottr4520]

Brian, I'm thoroughly enjoying this series of videos. I have only been turning for about 3-4 months and you have greatly de-mystified parts of turning that I knew were challenging ... But I knew so little I didn't know why they were challenging. Looking forward to the next videos.

[@johngibson5726]

Great videos Brain - been turning for years and still learning - I like you approach to instruction

[@ernestthebo5441]

Brian, thanks for another awesome video. Your detailed explanations and illustrations of the nature of the wood and the tool are perfect for my OCD personality. They make it so much easier for me to understand and reproduce the correct use of the tool.

[@wilcoxtube]

Brian - I have to say, this is the first explanation that FINALLY allows me to wrap my head around what is actually happening when properly using a bowl gouge on end grain! Thanks so much for the thorough discussion and great camera angles - well done. I also now understand what the nuanced twisting of the tool does in terms of speed-of-cut. I always knew about "riding the bevel", but did not really understand what was physically happening between the wood and the tool. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@adamb7508]

I have watched a number of videos on how to use a bowl gouge. This was an excellent way to explain what is happening. I understand better now. Thank you!

[@GarageWoodworks]

So glad you're back Brian! I was wondering what happened. Your teaching style is top notch. One of the best video instruction styles I've seen on KZbin. Looking forward to more.

[@gordoncorney6857]

A use

[@mark3476745837]

Great video and explanation. Very clear on what to do and how to do it. Thank you for sharing.

[@gcbound]

This is such a good video - thanks! It really helped me to see the tool applied to the wood on a non-spinning lathe to understand the slicing.

[@ShevillMathers]

The best series showing how the tool works, excellent video and stills angles with spot on cometary, there is no wasted time in your presentations. 👍👍🇦🇺🔭 from down under- Tasmania.

[@youenn2180]

Bravo ,excellente explication ,you are a good teacher ,Brian ,like Mike Waldt . I had myself to explain that problem with end grain cutting using a comparison with cat stroking ,always from head to tail ,never from tail to head ,cats don't like it ,"coucher le fil ,ne pas le soulever" (over the grain ,not against it ?) by the way ,the best way to learn english is when it's about what you are interested in ,thank you for that lesson too !

[@jedtaylor3551]

Can't live without you bud..........about a year of trial and many errors and still doing more grinding with a gouge than cutting. Good days and bad because of a legacy of no training Talk about grind angles when you can

[@cornwasher]

Thanks Brian for this video. Very well produced with both technical and with demonstrations.

[@Aebvtivs14]

Brilliant video - not finished it, (I'm at work), but, yes, I started as a spindle turner, then tried bowls - always wondered why I'm fighting the wood - I'm using the wrong tools... I'll be back to finish off, and I've been subscribed to your channel for a while - Thank you so much for this, can't wait to get home and try this out!

[@raywalton6470]

Let me add my thanks to many others listed below. I am fairly new to bowls on the lathe and am self taught with big assists from you experts on uTube. It helps me learn when I have a problem to understand why the problem occurred. End grain has been a mystery that I couldn't come up with an explanation for. Can't wait to get back to the shop and practice what I have learned from this video. This is the first time it has been explained to me along with a suggested remedy and it finally makes sense to me. Thanks again!

[@cigarsmoka9741]

I've been getting into turning bowls lately, and this is without a doubt the best video I've seen for cutting technique on end grain. Well explained and to the point. I'll be using this technique tomorrow, can't wait to try it out. Thank you for a very informative video. This should save me a lot of time sanding while improving the finish.

[@zippy3711]

Master Wood Turner and Master Teacher. The only guy to watch.

[@tonyb2614]

Great video, so well explained. We need more videos like this one. Thank you for taking the time to do this for us.

[@missteeturns]

I've just come across this video and it's the most straightforward video I've seen on turning end grain. Your explanation of the way you use the bowl gouge and the angle you present it are the clearest I've seen. I've been struggling with this cut since I started turning a few months ago and I will apply the lesson when I get some more bowl blanks next week. Thank you so much for the wonderfuly clear video. I just wish I found it sooner.

[@jamesmoore3346]

Right on time Brian, I'm fairly new to turning and yeah thought I knew enough (Wrong). I've scrollsawn around 25 years now and foundout turning and sawing are two differant worlds. LOL. Scrolled some rings from dimentional wood, glued, attached a face plate, supported the tail and got to work, haha, after untold catches and completly breaking the piece in half twice I was ablle to repair it but put it on a shelf until I learned a bit more. I was blaming it being red oak but bottom line it was my lack of knowledge. After your video I think I'm going to put it back in the lathe and finish it. Live an learn, LOL. Thanks a bunch, you probably saved my first attempt at a vase. Who knows, maybe it will survive me after all, haha.....

[@briansinclair3967]

Great explanation as always. You make things so clear.

[@camike4968]

Just... WOW! Really eye-opener.

[@Barrysworkshop]

I really appreciate this video. Although I've seen other videos that talk about cutting end grain, yours broke it down for me in a way that really makes sense to me.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am happy that you are back with your videos, Brian. I think the most confusing concept new turners have is "cutting downhill", a most confusing term. You explained very well about slicing the grain without using that confusing expression.

[@bunyaminaltinok9252]

Great video, great tutorial. Thank you Brian

[@robinbrooks1840]

Thanks for that tutorial been turning for a few years Learned something hopefully a little less tear out and a few less catches

[@toddyork226]

Thanks Brian, you do a great job at teaching.

[@pointer2null]

I have been watching video after video and they all have a crucial bit of information missing so that no matter how I try I can't get it quite right. Had a large chunk fly off earlier. Had I only watched this video first then I would have known what I was doing wrong! Excellent video, by explaining HOW the bowl gouge works (cut and peel), it also shows how to use it properly.

[@billk8579]

Brian, I have watched this video a few times over the last year. I think it has finally settled into my mind. I am going to make a very conscious effort to follow this technique and really keep my gouge its sharpest. Thanks again for this video...new wood turners may have to view it a few times over a period of time before it really sinks in.

[@craigkeller]

Best description on you tube.

[@stephboeker7835]

Mr. Havens, Absolutely perfect video topic to answer the question I have run into. Not only that, but your method of teaching was so spot on, easily understood and well produced (show and tell) that I feel I will never waste expensive, rare, hard wood again ......... at least by my own ignorance and lack of skill. I will put this to practice immediately !! You see, I recently came across some really hard Bloodwood blanks and proceeded to turn a simple box. I had no trouble w/ the the spindle cuts and not much more w/ the hollowing. I started in the middle of the end grain as you said, w/ my bowl gouge turned sideways, and the bottom below horizontal. That tool is a little large for a 3" box so I switched to my spindle gouge and used it the same way. You tend to have vibration as you get deeper though. Anyway, I had an awful time w/ my pieces (box & lid) turned around and slipped onto a jam chuck to eliminate the foot ! I cracked the lid in half, broke a box to pieces and split the replacement box. ALL TRYING TO CUT OFF THE FOOT !! I tried coming at it from the middle, sneaking up to the side and scraping it. I sharpened each tool, adjusted the jam depth, diameter and even made another jam out of harder wood. Nothing was working and I ended up sanding them down w/ a piece of 36g sanding belt. I assume it was my technique, but, ........... QUESTIONs : Do you have any other advice to share on the matter ? I mean, I don't see the difference between hollowing out the end grain on a box and cutting off the foot ? Except maybe the weaker mounting on a jam chuck. Will this always be a problem ? Again, will you please shed some more light on the matter ? Or anyone that might be reading this that can help ? Brian, I'm impressed at the level of knowledge, ability to explain and overall production quality in this video !!! Thank you so much for your generous consideration to, "we, the ignorant, trying to become informed" ............ or at least, "me, .........." !!! ;) :) :) Merry Christmas & A Very Happy New Year, Sincerely frustrated, Steph_Louisiana

[@jorgeantonioramirezromero5598]

youre awesome friend, thanks for share this video.congratulations

[@richardc6932]

Excellent tip. Enjoyed the video.

[@roysanders258]

Very informative and well presented video, thank you. Looking forward to watching your others!

[@0602Jonboy]

A really good tutorial for this beginner Brian, thank you for such a clear explanation of the way to tackle end grain leaving the wood in the chuck and the tool in one piece, extremely helpful. Regards, Tony (from uk).

[@klausalan]

Great explanation of proper cutting technique.

[@walterwinnipeg7350]

Brian, this is a superb video! Your explanation using the "straw" really helped me visualize how the cutting tool will interact with the wood grain from all the different directions. I'll try out your suggestions on my next project.

[@TheKrinkled1]

This is a very well presented explanation. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely be giving this a try soon.

[@dap2112]

I just tried this after watching the vid and it bloody works, I am very impressed thank you Brian

[@johnastrello]

One of the best explanations and demo's I have seen on this subject. Greatly appreciated. I've got the beginnings of a bowl (almost this size/shape) that I'm struggling with (given I'm a novice) - that I will be able to apply these techniques to.

[@garyfrechette8689]

Thank you so much for this video. As a new turner, with a lot to learn, this was an excellent lesson on cutting end-grain. Cheers Gary F.

[@stormy439]

Great information! Thank you! Your explanation and demonstration significantly helped me! I am a beginner, and trust me, what you say can go wrong DID go wrong! (Thankfully no videos exist!)

[@glasstar6588]

Much appreciated, Brian! Very well done. The right information at just the right time for me. Thanks.

[@simonleach4375]

Great informative video and I like the stills you insert for closeup shots.