Can you Woodturn Patterned Plywood?

[@taylordurrer4950]

The patterned plywood looks so cool with the colored veneers. You could use the extra cut-off strips to make bookmarks, or you could use them as a patterned plywood veneer as accents on another project

[@elisabethj.gawthrop9312]

Bookmarks!❤

[@OnlyLac]

I would buy a bookmark!

[@matthewmalloy354]

First off let me say I am so impressed with all your discoveries every time you make a video on pattern plywood. We get to learn a lot with you on your journey. Second as somone who turns often, let me offer you one piece of advice. There are different gouges made for different jobs. When you roughed out the handle for your table saw you used your bowl gouge ( pointed gouge with swept back bevel). You’ll want to use the roughing gouge. ( shaped like a half pipe with bevel that dosnt sweep back). Turning is a beautiful art and success makes it so enjoyable. Using the correct tools will give a better success rate. But I have to give you props in breaking out the skew chisel. Even as a seasoned turner I know the best way for me to blow something up is the skew. They don’t call it “the taming of the skew “ for nothing. Other than that another superb video. Keep up the great work and I always look forward to more of your videos

[@Everfalling1]

Isn't that a fingernail profile gouge and not a bowl gouge? Serious question because I've never heard that style of gouge called a bowl gouge. It can be used as one. It is more of a hybrid between a bowl gouge and a skew.

[@merrickallard8488]

I've done a fair bit of pattern plywood turning in the past, roughing gouges are terrible for it because you're turning endgrain. In the same way you shouldn't use a roughing gouge on a bowl, roughing gouges on plywood suck and can even be dangerous. My favourite is the skew (not used like a scraper) for turning plywood, you get a much nicer finish

[@chrisp.76]

Be sure to make a defined foot on bowls. A little undercut around the edge will do a lot to elevate the piece. I’m a potter in addition to being a beginning woodworker.

[@DominusFeles]

I missed that detail as well 😊

[@jillbork2683]

The thin off cuts could be mini paper lanterns or beautiful ornaments 🙂

[@jaderene]

Great idea, also maybe even epoxied bookmarks? Or even earring blanks? I think his partner she would do an amazing job on a product like that!!!!🤍❤️

[@Cadet1249]

Or tinder for a fire 👍

[@DerekHart-g3t]

You are a brave man for turning your first bowl so big and a composite as well

[@davebauerart]

Impressive persistence! Very cool results, the lathe adds a new dimension to the patterned plywood for sure!

[@hayduke]

"Visually digestible" is a great design language term! Conveys a ton about design decisions very simply 👍

[@raheslop]

Just been watching your video, I turn a lot of items made from old skateboards, and for someone turning laminated wood for the first time you did amazing. If you have a go a turn a “normal” bowl you’ll be amazed how much easier it cuts, you are properly learning to swim in the deep end. When I made my first skateboard bowl I also experienced the gouge heating up, however a lot of the heat comes from the bevel rubbing and the pressure on the bevel, I struggle to explain it but as you progress you’ll notice the gouge doesn’t heat up as much & you have to sharpen it less, again on my first skateboard bowl I must have sharpened my gouge a dozen times. Hollowing it you went for a deeper bowl than I’d normally do, kudos, as you found the gouge gives a better finish when turning laminates but deep carving is tricky. Personally I always go for a tenon over a mortise as if there’s any faults in the glue up the chuck can cause them to split. However amazing first time turning veneers as as I said if you master it turn “wood” will seem easy in comparison

[@Everfalling1]

He definitely has some angles to learn with his fingernail profile gouge. Normally a bowl like he made takes a single sharpening. It is hard to explain on the internet what he should look for when he is roughing out a bowl as far as gouge angle etc. But you hit the nail on the head for sure.

[@JTWoodworks]

Dude this looks so good!! It's really impressive and I can tell this opened a whole new world for you to explore. So excited to see where you take this idea

[@jaimecastells9750]

Michael, I've been following your work with pattern plywood for a long time. I am fascinated to see what comes in this video, but I have paused it to hit you with a 'before' comment. Your creativity and explorer's urges are a big part of why I follow you. I share your excitement going into this experiment.

[@HLR4th]

Outstanding. As always, thanks for including the challenging moments we all fear but learn so much from. The bowl is magnificent! It was as much fun seeing you discover new ways to make the pattern blocks, and then make them even more efficient.

[@QuarionGalanodel]

Your comment about revealing more and more of the pattern and stopping when you liked the way it looks reminded me of a quote from a famous sculptor (I forget which one). He basically said that his sculptures were already in the marble and he was just revealing them to the world.

[@JustinMurray170fin]

Fantastic video, my thanks❣ I've recently purchased my 1st lathe and videos such as yours, where things don't always go to plan, are invaluable to my development. I appreciate you including the entirety of your project, from inception to completion, along with your narration & thought process in problem-solving.👍

[@carolumyi4768]

The bowl looks totally "AMAZING!!!!" I just love the beautiful pattern of the wood.

[@heretoserve5023]

AND LOVE THAT LITTLE HANDLE SO MUCH MAN THAT IS SO EFFING COOL!

[@MeToob]

Amazing work once again, you never cease to amaze! When I was taught to turn bowls, we always glued a scrap disc to the bottom of the blank, with a piece of paper in between. Screw on the adapter plate, do all your turning (inside and out), carving right into your scrap if you want. When the turning is done, split the bowl off the disc with a chisel, the paper should let it split away cleanly. Sand the bottom, and you're done. Also my wife says to use the scraps for bookmarks. Thanks for another great video.

[@alankeith7866]

I'm glad you stuck with it. The finished product is fantastic!!

[@adolfoman]

Love seeing your craft expand into these new things. You are such an artisan and I love the inspiration you exude and passion you put into everything you create. Keep up the amazing work Michael!

[@oldhamwoodworks]

Absolutely brilliant idea and execution! If you haven’t already found a use for the offcuts from trueing the large blank, they would make insane handles for a marking knife. They look about the right size anyway. I’d love the opportunity to make one for you, but it’s an easy enough project to tackle yourself as well. I always love seeing where your creativity takes you, and thanks for sharing!

[@SuperVoodude]

It was nice to hear and see the details of your turning learning process. You could probably send the cut-offs and shavings to Peter Brown. He does a lot of neat resin + strange material bowls and projects if you aren't familiar.

[@Mykidsareswimming]

I love your enthusiasm for this. Also super sick project. I would display that in my home.

[@slowdaze]

Loved the video Michael and congrats on working on a new skill! Traditional wood turning gouges are all about tool presentation. That takes time and as you eluded too plywood probably isn’t the easiest material to start learning on. It’s hard to tell from the video, but I think your tool rest may have been too high. If your handles are long enough they should be tucked into your hip when the tip of the gouge engages the center line of the wood. Your inside cuts are a push cut, you kinda want to do that on the outside too. Most of your tool presentation on the outside was scraping cuts, which are fine but the tool has more versatility and you can get a better finish with the push cut. It will all come with practice. Keep it up!

[@ctfddftba]

Congratulations on learning a new skill and sharing your journey with us!

[@someonenamedsean91]

Man, you gave us like 3 videos worth of content in one and I love it!!

[@negotiableaffections]

The plywood that keeps on giving - and a nice sideline in confetti too! This can only keep getting better, with practice etc. And with the variables for making blanks almost endless - this should prove very interesting.

[@chrisdavis1722]

As talented as you are with wood, it’s exciting to see you experimenting with lathe work. The handle and bowl are stunning as are the multicolored veneers. The thin offcuts look like wood box top veneers or cut into pendants or earring pieces. Looking forward to future vids. Great job! 👍

[@bytesizedengineering]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this one Michael! You continue to amaze!

[@leonardomapache]

I've seen thusands of wood turning videos and never seen tools so shiny and new.

[@JoshuaTrautmann]

I recently found your video, and I am loving your creativity. Admittedly, I am a bit intermediated about the process; however, after seeing how great your rip fence handle turned out, I am eager to try it for myself. That was amazingly cool, even if the blue did not turn out the way you had hoped!

[@hrodwulf172]

I think you could layer those shavings together, epoxy them like Cam from Blacktail did with his denim table, and then turn that into a matching spoon/knife/fork/spork handle. I vote spoon though, because spoon is the best word out of all them. Great video once again, cannot wait to finally get started in my little shop and try some of your projects!

[@helenedesmarais8697]

I'm a hobbyist quilter and all your patterns gave me LOADS of ideas. I was asking "how do I sew this ? " I printscreen a lot of the patterns to add to my ideas files. Thank you. ( I understand perfectly when you asked what else can I do with this ? 🤔

[@dmick1977]

This was probably the most suspenseful of your videos yet. I actually felt anxious near the end after it popped off the lathe a few times.

[@SomewhatObscureFurry]

The shavings you have can be used for some amazing bookmarks, i don't read but i'd be happy if i had one of those as like a bit of decoration... it'd fit well with the style i'm going for in my room... btw this is the first video from you i've ever seen and it's great content! Earned yourself a sub!

[@Drow87]

I'm SO happy to see you back with a video Michael!

[@jaderene]

This quite possibly one of my most favorite videos that you’ve uploaded, as an aspiring woodworker, seeing try something for the first time, and working through all of the difficulties, is awesome! Another idea I think you could definitely try doing, once you’re more comfortable with woodturning is make your own patterned plywood/colored patterned plywood handles for the lathe!!!!🤯🤍

[@michaelmathews8974]

Nice job for a first bowl turning! I was hollering at you through the whole turning process trying to tell you what you were doing wrong! :) Great job getting it done! It turned out beautiful! Regarding the offcuts, I'll cut them up into smaller pieces and put them all into a mold and either pour a rising Charcuterie board or make an epoxy bowl!

[@CameronLockey]

Fun video Michael! I noticed that you started out turning your blank from the hex using your bowl gouge. I think you’ll have an easier time getting it into round and to your max diameter if you start with a wider roughing gouge. I also find it much easier to get smooth shavings that way and usually will do all my wide shaping with it as well. You can turn it onto its side and direct the shavings away from you as well. In general I’ll only use a bowl gouge on a spindle if I need to scoop out a tight curve. Keep up the good work with your turning. I have the same lathe and love it. It gets more fun each piece you turn.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks for the info!! 🙌

[@katemckinney4895]

Anything Murphy or secret cubbies and doors, laundry hampers, tables, for small living spaces Also using tall ceilings for using vertical space for furniture like a reading nook, or a three story bed-mini loft-lookout You do great work!

[@wyvernsieyes]

Inspired by your original videos on pattern plywood, i went to messing about in my workshop with what i could do. I find it really interesting that we have both found the same processes and discoveries. I too was concerned with how the center of a log glue up would come out. But had the same reaction as yourself when i saw the resawn pieces had come out so well. I have a few machines that desperately need upgrading, but when that's done i have some really stunning furniture designs to prototype and build.

[@adrian-mu3jr]

Carbide scrapers are nice and easy for hollowing. Rodeo turning, amazing plywood. Turned out pretty neat in the end. Awesome content!

[@Willeth]

Really relieved when you moved the tool rest inside the piece. I'm no expert woodturner, but I suspect that was part of the reason you found it tough when the bowl got to its deepest - the forces end up getting magnified due to the position of the pivot point. When your rest is close to your workpiece it's working for you, and the more your tool is overhanging, the more it works against you.

[@alexa8186]

I tend to find that when hollowing out a blank the best thing to do is to pull toward myself and take deep cuts. (Catching against the wood is mainly avoided with technique; keep practicing). As mentioned by someone else: drilling out the center (using a chuck attachment on your tailstock) helps a ton. And when you’re turning spindles: I hope that you’ll try out placing a finger or two against the toolrest for added control. This can evolve into planting your palm against the toolrest and pulling on the tool with hooked fingers for hollowing out objects.

[@RoseKindred]

This was a great video, it turned out lovely. I have seen many videos similar where the wood is stabilized into a block of resin, so just using plywood and glue is a great answer to the question if you can turn patterned plywood on its own. Now I am envisioning taking the large blank first, cutting it into inch cookies, and rotating the colors before regluing it into a large blank once again.

[@wit6665]

Idk if it's more reliable but peter brown usually glues on a sacrificial piece of wood for the chuck to grip onto at the bottom then cuts it off later.

[@jeffhreid]

Came out great. Those turning segment are nerve wracking.

[@pmgddm]

Great project. I applaud you for putting your learning process out there. As a long time turner, I'd offer two suggestions: 1) More clamps and pressure on your glue ups; and 2) a tenon rather than a mortise to use with the chuck is much stronger. Your "squeeze" clamps don't give you enough pressure for lamination work, plus you need cauls to hit the center of the sheets. For segmented turning, every single spot has to be a solid glue joint. I think you'll find those will give you much better results. The tenon on the end is much stronger because it's putting the wood under compression rather than a mortise which is pushing the wood apart and its strength is dependent on having plenty of wood outside the mortise (but the physics are still working against you :-) ). Good luck and keep up the good work. You'll have a lot of fun with turning square patterns into round objects.

[@nicnacpaddiewac]

These videos are my Saturday morning cartoons. Even had my Almfab hat on while watching!

[@jaimecastells9750]

Fascinating results, Michael! FYI, I am confident that we could create a bowl blank with about one eighth the material that would require MUCH less labor to turn. I'll have to give it some thought, but it is certainly possible. A long time ago I said that I was happy to provide some support because what you were doing was so innovative, even if I didn't see myself using it. I'm starting to see ways pattern plywood could fit into my aesthetic. Innovation leads to more innovation, right? More really good work, man! Thanks and congrats!

[@rmar127]

Some beautiful chatoyancy in that spindle. And well done on that finish. Looks amazing.

[@suzil7687]

Love watching you learn! There is a device that cuts a new blank out of the middle of your current blank. I forget what it’s called but it’s a tool rest and curved stand with blade. Clear as mud description. Besides that crummy recommendation here’s a good one: use the carbide to hog and finish w the other ones! No shame in carbide easy tools for hogging!!!

[@connorculkin5138]

Something you might find helpful when turning pattern plywood, epoxy/wood, or generally fragile turns. Get a drill chuck you can put in your tail stock. Use it as a drill press and gradually step up the diameter of the drill bit. Use some carbide chisels to hollow out from there. Will save you a lot of time and probably a project or two from breaking. And great job for your first bowl. I like how you first real project is with one of the hardest things to turn without breaking.

[@willmanderscheid4236]

Thus turned out amazing! I love watching your patterned plywood videos. They are inspiring. We actually found an old lathe, like a huge industrial one. Not sure what to do yet!

[@Curionimbus]

Love all the creative ways in which you use patterned plywood and I respect the drive for an efficient use of materials. Geometric morphing is a fascinating subject, especially when it's financially incentivized ;) For the thin shaved offcuts, perhaps you could use them as plumage for a potential bird sculpture? Leaves on a carved sapling? I look forward to seeing whatever you make of them. Thanks!

[@Zogg1281]

A couple of this I've seen that might help when turning pattern ply wood bows This one I haven't tried, but seen it done and would do it myself - when making your blank up, start by putting a nice soft wood in the area you will be removing for the inside of the bowl. It's so much quicker to remove sodt wood thats solid then hard plywood thats made up of a million glue joints. It does take so extra time and planning but it also woorks well. This idea I have tried and love. When making a bowl or vase, before picking up anything chiselly, use a chuck attachment in the tail stock, then use larger and larger drill bits and forsner bits to hollow out a load of that bowl. This will save you even more time because when tuning a bowl ther hardest part tk turn is the bit thats spinning really farst in the center of the wood. The drilling methode removes most of these problems. The sides are also the quickest to shave down and the hole the drills leave make life easier. I've also seen people glue a piece of hardwood to the botton so you don't end up with the bowl separating from the chuck. At the end, you could use a laithe tool to separate the 2 piece of wood or a saw. Hope this helps to get your confidence up a bit 😊👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@elizabethwaters7175]

I think the shavings would be great bookmarks!

[@StormBurnX]

This seems like exactly the sort of thing to send to Frank Howarth!! He does a lot of segmented bowls that are, effectively, patterened plywood but minus the ply, so he would have a lot of experience working with that sort of fragmented material! Also, wow, the ai-generated spam comments are truly wild.

[@RoseKindred]

I loved Howarth's segmented wood-turned-ball video he did about a year ago.

[@peterrosenberg8716]

Took the words right out of my mind!

[@StormBurnX]

Watched through the video twice. Absolutely great work. That CA glue polish was brilliant!! Much thanks for linking that video as well, it was quite interesting!

[@saint-miscreant]

came in here to suggest this! i would actually love to see them do a collaboration, they both inject a lot of creativity into their projects and clearly have fun with things

[@Art_Murder]

For the inside, I recommend drilling out the center of the bowl, approaching final depth, with a forstner bit

[@ryderscustomcreations3665]

Finally you’re using Roarockit veneers! I love using them to make my own rainbow plywood!! I like to alternate the grain orientation though.. makes for flatter and more stable

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

A lot of turners have a drill chuck designed to fit the tail stock and use that to hold a Forstner Bit to drill out the center material of any bowls, cups and vases they turn... Drilling out the center save them a lot of time and effort mining out the center with their gouges since the center of the piece isn't turning as fast as the outer rim is...and slower turning material is harder to cut...

[@davidpretorius2984]

If you were to build (or source) something that has the same mechanism as a hexagonal bootlace ferrule crimper you could (in theory) get substantial clamping force evenly across each face. Awesome video, love the experimentation

[@SlapCabbage08]

Loving the CMYK choice.

[@lisakuhnel1449]

First, gorgeous work and I love your channel! One piece of advice…not claiming to be an expert turner, but I noticed when you first put the bowl on the chuck that the mortise was just a little shallow so the bottom of your piece wasn’t making contact with the chuck. That may have contributed to your piece coming loose while turning. Again, amazing piece and thanks for all the fabulous videos!

[@Sugar3Glider]

8:55 you're learning the ways of the candy maker. Well done!

[@mellymel1100]

I absolutely love that you captioned even the noises. Often is says, "clapping" LOL!!!

[@AFT3RDAY5]

Cool video. As a learned woodworker this really appeals to me. And you can learn so much more from a try-and-fail video than a perfect display of how a master does it. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jaimecastells9750]

I love that Beth Alm is the first support you list! Quite right!

[@OspreyKnight]

Looks awesome. You might try leaving a pillar in the center for your tailstock to press against. It helps keep everything in place while you're digging it out. It doesn't have to be thick. With your plywood I might leave a inch wide pillar until you reach the bottom. Then clean up your sides, and then cut off the pillar. I'll often use a Dimond carbide tip to make a cone in the center then a round carbide to open up the middle. I'll also use a diamond to create a sunken tennon instead of a mortis. I like to make a continuous curve all the way under my bowls but Compression works a lot better to hold the bowls. So I just cut a groove then taper the tennon.

[@flamedphoenix84]

You should use all the shaving of this project and put it in an epoxy table of something like that. The colours would look amazing.

[@RandomBogey]

19:48 seeing as it’s a, I guess, “leverage handle,” (idk the scientifical term) it probably wouldn’t have hurt to use a longer bolt set the full length of the handle, or most of the length so it’s not exposed at the end, to give it more rigidity. That probably would’ve prevented it from breaking unsupported on the lathe and would prevent it from breaking in the future

[@chasm9557]

I have that same mini lathe. I've found that it's well worth the price and it's easily handled turning some rock maple pieces that I wasn't sure if it was going to be beefy enough to handle.

[@DDWells]

Having just watched the Rabbit boxing video before this, i thought the fur on the sculpture was incredible, and the pattern ply wood shaving would look amazing used on something like that

[@Roarockit]

Amazing video! We love seeing all the ways you can incorporate colored veneers into a woodworking project, and the end result is beautiful!

[@pipspastryshop]

This is really cool! You should turn a bowling ball with patterned plywood using those colored veneers

[@victoriaeads6126]

Also look up "bandsaw circle cutting jig," it's a thing that will help you more efficiently cut circles from blanks.

[@jimrosson6702]

Wow look so amazing for your first bowl with pattern plywood. Can’t wait to see what you do next keep up the amazing work

[@jonny555ive]

Cool looking bowl..... Nice job 👍👍 I will be turning my first projects since middle school soon. (LONG time ago) So It was nice to see another newbie going at it and show me what works and what doesn't work. So thank you. Take care, ~Jonny5🥁

[@mandyleeson1]

Great turning👏🏼 The bowl is beautiful.

[@chriskerr1174]

That handle looks so awesome!

[@peternewman9713]

You sir, are the master of patterned plywood!

[@bekahmarie489]

I'm dying when you blew into the bowl and started choking on sawdust. That was hilarious cause I'm 100% certain every woodworker has done that.

[@Britzzio]

For the shavings: drawer front with a solid wood exterior frame and a middle portion with the shavings randomly scattered, held together by resin :)

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice job on the plywood patterned bowl Michael! Thanks for always sharing with us!💖😎👍JP

[@A.ZE98]

those extra shavings could be bookmarks, very pretty

[@lyndaowen2154]

Turned out to be gorgeous! Great work

[@aprildegele1510]

Use for shavings? Inlay, edge banding? Even visible shims. I CANNOT believe that you were able to turn ply. I would have thought this impossible, much less pattered ply. You have just changed my pen-turning world! Impressive work with the gouge for a beginner. Yes, you have to use sharp tools, which means you have to incessantly sharpen (as said in my previous comment). CARBIDE. Honestly , I'm pretty amazed that ply will turn. Question: Why didn't you use your carbide blades to turn the inside from the beginning? I mean, I understand wanting to learn to use the gouge, but why? When you have a carbide tool? Would have saved you a long time re-sharpening and you'd have seen the same effect with the change in pattern that you enjoyed. Just use it from the beginning. GLAD you were able to continue after it came out. Great save. Honestly, I'm stunned. GREAT job !!!

[@andrewmccarn]

Awesome looking bowl & kudos to you for trying something on the larger side for your first time; turning bowls are so much fun, especially natural edge bowls!

[@bbg-designs8364]

I know this guy who has a 3d printed dustport for dustcollection on the lathe, it clamps onto your toolrest, and catches anything that falls down, and also goes around the rest aswell and catches the dust that comes over

[@yerboykakyoin624]

As soon as I saw those very thin and unique offcuts, my mind went immediately to book marks!

[@hubey]

Beautiful work! Re: the shavings; they could be bookmarks after being set in glue or epoxy.

[@SeraphimKnight]

You talking about how the veneers are usually used for skateboards is making me think that a patterned plywood skateboard would be pretty cool!

[@briarmoss2637]

Shavings suggestion - save these and others from various projects across a few months, then stick them all together in a bucket chaotically, and add epoxy, you can also add glitter/pearl or even glow powder to the epoxy for special effect and then turn the epoxy chaos mix

[@SilverBack.]

If and when you try this again it might be an idea to put a glue block on the bottom instead of a mortice or tenon more glue in your joints and more pressure when clamping up. when you think the gouge needs sharpening it does, take your time turning , enjoy the process. The bowl turned out amazing , well done.

[@deborahmatatall]

You create such beauty. I love watching your channel.🌸

[@357BoardGames]

Try adding blo (boiled linseed oil) then ca glue and alternate until the layers are thick enough. It makes for a tougher and deeper finish. I used to make a ton of custom pens and had hundreds if not thousands of hours behind a lathe. Great job on the patterns

[@triciac.5078]

Awesome! Fabulous! Stunning! And more! Seriously, Michael, just a great job on your first turnings, beautiful projects and they look so good with the thicker veneer. I may even buy one of the panels, even though I don’t work with wood. Just to have one because they are so gorgeous.

[@meepcaster]

Love your shop layout. Maybe use the mini cutoffs to make a lampshade or a luminescent orb?

[@wickeddelight]

The scraps really reminded me of feathers. I was imagining them decorating the sides of a mask (the kind you hang on the wall, not wear). Perhaps more importantly, if you go to make a hollow piece like a bowl in the future, if you can glue it up in the 4 quarters of the piece, you can then use a saw to take off a lot of the material that you would otherwise have to carve out of the middle. So you recover more scraps and save time. I learned this from carving watermelons, they are good practice material if you want to measure angles and understand what you will get wyen you reassemble.

[@sparkyenergia]

A bowl perfectly suited to storing all those pattern ply off cuts.

[@frednoble3547]

For gluing up the big log, try clamping from one end to the other, so glue can continually squeeze out. Applying the ratchet straps the way you did probably trapped it from escaping the ends

[@Thomllama]

People may say use a Forster bit to remove excise, but use like a 3 or 4” hole saw you may be able to snap the core out and have a chunk extra to turn also or use elsewhere.