Didn’t think plywood could do this…

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This week I’m following the audience suggestions from my last week and making a bowl out of Patterned Plywood. Since I don’t have a lathe in the shop I found something called a stave bowl. Often made by wood turners, these bowls are made from flat panels that are ideal for patterned plywood. There are a few charts that I found to make this project a TON easier.
Matthias Wandel’s Tapered Polygon Miter Cut Table - woodgears.ca/miter/
Malcom Tibbetts’ Tables for Compound Miters comes from his book “The Art of Segmented Woodturning” tahoeturner.com/book/
I found this chart through Anduril Design’s video “Making a Tulipwood Stave Bowl, Part 1” • Making a Tulipwood Sta... Both are great guides if you want to dive deeper into bowl making.
Ducan Hooper Helped me a ton during this build. Follow his work on instagram @firewoodcreatons2
How to draw Dodecagons • 4K How to draw regular...
Thanks Rockler for sponsoring this video!
Rockler products featured:
Rockler Precision Miter Gauge www.rockler.com/rockler-preci...
Rockler Precision Miter Gauge Fence www.rockler.com/rockler-miter...
Rockler Silicone Project Mat www.rockler.com/rockler-silic...
Rockler Glue Application Kit www.rockler.com/rockler-3-pie...
Rockler Marking and Measuring Pouch www.rockler.com/marking-and-m...
Dyed Wood Veneers www.rockler.com/dyed-3-square...
Affiliate links to all the tools used in this video
ISOtunes PRO 2.0 Noise Cancelling Earbuds bit.ly/almfabiso
Digital Protractor amzn.to/3H4F6ZD
Bevel Gauge amzn.to/3GYrjUj
Wixey Digital Angle Finder amzn.to/3eaRdI5
GVS Half Mask Respirator amzn.to/3snl2NO
Magid Safety Glasses amzn.to/32pnR6h
SuperMax 16-32 Drum Sander www.rockler.com/supermax-16-3...
Jet 14” Bandsaw amzn.to/3yIYTuG
Kreg KMS7200 Bandsaw Fence amzn.to/3qajVhX
Sawstop 36” 3hp Cabinet Saw amzn.to/3so0pkO
Irwin Quick Grip Clamps amzn.to/30O814G
Titebond Original Wood Glue amzn.to/3qkwxDk
Armour Tools Auto-Adjust Hold Down Toggle Clamp Low Profile with Horizontal Base Plate amzn.to/3pepbSr
Speed Ball Super Black India ink amzn.to/3mmLfZc
Mirka Deros 5” Palm Sander amzn.to/3qbcwil
Odies Oil Universal Finish and Polish amzn.to/32l2ino
Table Saw Blades I use (affiliate links)
Note because I have a 3 hp saw I use “ industrial” 1/8” kerf blades. If you have a lower power saw you'll want to use "Thin Kerf" Blades.
Favorite all around table saw Blade
Industrial amzn.to/3J6oRwT
Cutting splines, crosscutting, and general usage | Freud 10” x 50T Combo Blade
Industrial amzn.to/31q5w56
Thin Kerf amzn.to/3cqIYHK
Ripping and milling | 10” x 30T Glue Line Ripping Blade
Industrial amzn.to/3w6Yv7B
Thin Kerf amzn.to/3svkLpg
Plywood | 10” x 80T Freud Ultimate Plywood Blade
Industrial amzn.to/3ssGjTr
Thin Kerf amzn.to/2NZf3NB
You can support the channel by joining the Patreon!
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Music: www.epidemicsound.com/

[@MichaelAlm]

This project came from your comments, so let me know what you want to see next! I'd love suggestions for new projects, patterns, and experiments in plywood. Thanks for watching!!

[@cam4894]

I think a vase would be really cool!

[@Spectre_MZ]

I would like to see coffee table just like that...

[@edwinacoffman6429]

Make an egg out of the dragon scale pattern. Maybe turn it into a lamp

[@AlbertScoot]

I'm not sure how well it would work but I love one piece solid body electric guitars. Any ideas on how dragonscale could incorporated into something like that?

[@marilynhoon1031]

if you can do the patterns thin enough (so light can shine through) - these would make awesome lamp shades.

[@BobbyDukeArts]

That looks so amazing! I'm definitely going to have to try something like this one day. Great video!

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Bobby! Thanks man!! 🙌 I would love to see you give it a go

[@exynth1a215]

i get the feeling you might do this with a flexible metal

[@dropkickedmurphy6463]

@@MichaelAlm *wewd

[@Kshthymyla]

Nice of you to support another’s Wewdworking channel!

[@grumpswalpole4856]

As a retired woodworker I'd like to tell you that I have made many scrollsaw bowls w/plywood, but your patterned ply would be an excellent variation. Health prevents me but you have inspired me to advocate anyone to try it.

[@anoirbentanfous]

I wish you good health and I hope you will go back to do what you love.

[@expatmoose]

It’s a shame he did not reply (although I’m sure he’s very busy) to your message, I would have loved for you that he did, I’m sure when I’m better in wood working (I’m still new to this) that I will try this, I will name it the the Almgrumpswal bowl, hope that health is still with you, greetings

[@RamadaArtist]

As frustrating as it must have been, losing those corner pieces on the jig, I actually think it improved the end product. The rim has a nice level of visual complexity with the three "depths;" two peaks, and then a valley where another peak would have been if you'd have kept the corners. That third peak would have been between the heights of the other two, which would have made the rim much more uniform, I think the effect you ended up with is more interesting. This also suits the internal patterning that happened as a result of the join angles; where the pieces meet you get a bunch of variety in the shapes of the "scales," which again, I think adds to the visual interest, but isn't a native feature of the pattern as it's first glued up. Having an exaggerated pattern around the rim matches nicely with these variations in the interior bowl.

[@protoguy]

I actually was wondering how the bowl would look with some teeth missing but cleaned up. I'm a fan of asymmetry.

[@rockshot100]

I understand you perfectly. And agree that these "imperfections" emphasize the had made quality of the bowl. This is obviously not a mass produced item.

[@maxcooperman356]

Amazing how much depth the dark veneer adds to the pattern, it really does give the appearance of overlapping scales

[@Galvaterics]

I think a double patterned chess board would be awesome! Like one type of pattern for the white squares and a reverse of that pattern in a different type of plywood for the black squares. Love your videos!

[@VishalArora25]

Ohhh, that would be EPIC.

[@rendragyn]

Heck yes!

[@ktulu193]

The one from the offcuts would make an amazing lampshade, for that application, i would put the bottom from the inside, so gravity helps it seat. Beautiful work as always, Michael!

[@showlottathings]

Wow! I thought he was making a lampshade until the end

[@raylarkin5004]

I thought that was what it was too as soon as i saw it 👍🏼

[@forgealice7412]

I agree! That would make a kick ass lamp for a ceilling

[@zebanon5]

I was thinking he could make it into a lid for the larger bowl.

[@heidihalderman1118]

I love, love, love this bowl. My husband was a woodworker. He built a king sized platform bed w/ 3” thick plywood edges for friends of mine. It was so heavy, even broken down, they sold it with their second home.

[@jlpintomd]

Just a thought. You might want to hand sand (orbital) each panel with a lower grit sand paper (80?) to get some of the glue off, before you plug up that awesome drum sander. That paper is much more expessive to go through with a large amt of glue on the wood. Or just scrap the glue off with a good scraper, if it does not tear the wood up too much. Your project rocks. Can't wait to try it. Just discovered your site. Ditto Maria, down below. Love the fact that you show the 'fails' you keep in. Nice to know, I'm not the only one that screws up a project just when you think you are on a roll.

[@pferguson2212]

That bowl is nothing short of stunning! Turned out amazing and as other people have mentioned, the offcuts bowl would make a lovely lampshade. Well done and love your work, such an inspiration!

[@mylesloan]

This would make a pretty sweet lamp shade that would look great in your new home office. Awesome work as always. It’s so satisfying to watch a sheet of plywood turn into something this beautiful

[@yunglynda1326]

was thinking the same!

[@jeremyspecce]

As soon as I saw the first cut on the jig I was thinking “hmm, I wonder if the scrap pieces would add up to another bowl” Also, I would have made the spare panels, like you did, but then I’d FORGET that they were spares and try to glue 14 pieces together instead of 12 and wonder why nothing fits. 🤣

[@yunglynda1326]

these would make such cool lampshades, especially with the teeny gaps/pinholes showing through!! i could see playing around with the gaps placement could make a cool shadow lamp!!

[@yunglynda1326]

could work as a pendant lamp or sconces even!

[@weberwoodshop]

SOOOOOOOOOOO cool. Man what a fun project Michael!

[@jurgenshaywood5937]

Great project, this will look stunning as a lamp shade with a steeper angle.

[@atariks1475]

Thought exactly the same thing :D

[@ITBubba1]

Dude ! So awesome. Like me you never throw away anything that still works. It's so cool to see a new purpose in life for Grandma's old iron !

[@firstmate015]

You can call the "bowl" a bowl, but I can see a $250.00 hanging lamp shade for over a table you made. The light peeking out would be so soft and intriguing. A leather recliner in dark brown, that masculine lamp shade for reading and a beverage of choice would make any man or woman feel wrapped in luxury. Fabulous job Michael. I want one. I'm a new sub that will be watching from now on. Great editing and soothing music makes me a keeper.

[@marialeotta2973]

Thank you for including and admitting to your mistakes and not just leaving them on the metaphorical cutting room floor. As a fellow maker who gets increasingly frustrated whenever I mess things up, it was cathartic, encouraging and inspiring to see you begin again. The end result is incredible. I'm not sure I would have the patience (and I definitely don't have the skills or equipment) but you'd would be a stunning piece in any home!

Absolutely stunning! LOVED the scraps bowl as well, I think this shape would look amazing as hanging lampshades, like 3 or 4 on top of a dining table or 2 as night stands would be great!

[@livertiahaywood9917]

Beautiful. Looks like a lampshade. Just needs a fancy bulb

[@pamallen2498]

This my friend belongs in a museum. So beautiful!!

[@HyperactiveNeuron]

That's just awesome. I love it. The "free" one is really cool too. It would make a great lamp shade it a hanging light.

[@nitrogenFox]

Thank you for using lots and lots of safety techniques around all your cutting tools. I see so many people dont use pushers and blocks and just do whatever they want because they have a lot of experience. Accidents happen to everyone, that's why they are accidents.

[@brandonnelson5021]

Humbling experience to watch talented people not have all the answers but find a way to move their projects forward. Great woodworking!

[@jridges9956]

WOW. That looks absolutely amazing. Also love how you showed the challenges associated with making these bowls. Great work keep at it. Would love to see more

[@RedBudRed]

Absolutely stunning! One of the most creative and beautiful pieces I've seen in a while. Keep on crushing it man! 👊🏻

[@joeyramonelookalike]

Man, when you clamped the base I was clenching and holding my breath!!! Very cool bowl.

[@jlar6362]

No se si tu lo sepas hermano pero realmente eres un artista increíble y me inspiras a ser mejor!!!

[@courier11sec]

Hi, Michael. This was in my recommendations and was great to watch. Since you asked for project ideas, I think patterned plywood with veneers for contrast would make a great top for a guitar body. Maybe even a fingerboard, but I don't know how it would hold up to being radiused and slotted for frets. Thanks for sharing your work. 😊

[@1st1anarkissed]

Hole already in place for the cord and hardware, nice matching lamp shade and fruit bowl. One hanging over the table, the other sitting on the table below. Perfect.

[@MichaelAlm]

Love this idea!! 🙌

[@johnbianchi23]

Well done, great example of holding “every“ facet to tight tolerances . Path to perfection is narrow and strenuous. Often pursued, seldom attained. What you called a “ little luck “ was your reward for excellence. I squealed when you squealed. You took a “ kit type “ project and elevated it to fine art. Museum level perfection. Now take a well deserved bow and get back to work. Two in a row?? Your video skills made this adventure great for the rest of us. Thank you…jb…👏👏👏

[@busomite]

Wow! You have to be over the moon with how this turned out. Easily my favorite patterned plywood project you’ve made thus far. The India ink bottom was a key finishing touch, really brought it all together.

[@martinwinther6013]

The wedges dont have to be wedge shaped. They can be foursided, rectangular. Cut the tip off so you have a side were you only need to give em a small tap before they loose up

[@texasgemtree]

Oh, wow, that is SO awesome! And I was really thinking about how you had all that lovely scrap! I am SO GLAD you USED it! Beautiful!!!! *squeeee*

[@Nusszucker]

I love it when YT recomends me new woodworkin channels, I love watching people make stuff. And the bowls look amazing

[@chrisemens4022]

That’s it. I’m definitely going as “patterned plywood” next Halloween. Also, thank you for not doing an epoxy pour on the bottom.

[@jessicabuchbinder7537]

Wow! Your Squarespace add art gallery projects BLEW my mind! Creative rut - over!

[@davidgrosvenor6685]

The precision of a surgeon and the eye of an artist. What a privilage to watch, thank you Micheal.

[@pathardage1880]

Absolutely stunning. Never would have remotely occurred to me. Thank you.

[@zhilalmulki8068]

why does this whole process feels so satisfying to watch

[@dawnlambe8601]

I think some lampshades made of patterned plywood would be interesting as well. One for a table lamp and one for a hanging light (like a pendulum light) …and maybe a night light 💡 cover, too!

[@sidtron1810]

Hi Michael, you do wonderful work. Thanks for the interesting videos. I am a carpenter from Switzerland. I've been working with the tablesaw for 40 years and still have all 10 fingers, because I use a protective cover over each moving blade. So, please protect yourself and use a protective cover over every rotating saw. Kind regards Pascal.

[@russellwall1964]

Absolutely beautiful! I had no idea plywood could ever be beautiful. Amazed, dude.

[@eothamec2427]

I have no words for how beautiful this is to me

[@neurofiber2406]

I can't believe I stopped what I was doing to watch this whole thing. That was a beautiful piece of work... from plywood. Amazing.

[@danielgbeck]

This is the most impressive patterned plywood project ever! This could make an awesome lamp shade, especially with the holes for light to shine through.

[@kitemanmusic]

It might rip out the ceiling connector with the weight! I'd guess 8 kg!

[@TheBookDoctor]

That's pretty damn epic. But honestly, make whatever you want. I'm here for the humility and grace with which you seem to approach all your projects.

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear Michael, at one moment I thought of a name change for your project to “Painter’s tape held together with plywood”. In the end, turned out brilliantly. Cheers.

[@DerekFromMalden]

What a beautiful job, well done. I cannot believe you did not have a sander!!! Great Job

[@moonpie21012]

When you talked about a tapered base, I was imagining something that would slot in from the inside so there would be less need for matching to the very bottom edge of the bowl

[@andrewirvine6444]

You have created a perfectly matched bowl and lampshade!!

[@luiscarlossuarezmarquez264]

A bowl o a very nice lamp? Who knows. Your work is just perfect and outstanding. Congrats Michael

[@alexiscarlton1355]

Your work is amazing! All the skill that goes into your pieces is astounding. The moment you turned your bowl upside down I saw a lampshade. Wonderful to watch thank you for sharing!

[@fredmercury1314]

The corners coming off was one of those Bob Ross happy accidents that makes the end result better.

[@campbelldaniel58]

The most impressed I’ve ever been in someone’s craftsmanship. We’ll done.

[@chrisdavis1722]

These turned out beautiful! It’s a one of a kind art piece that so few know how to do. Looking forward to the next project; I’d love to see more of these stave bowls. Great job 👍

[@matthewloeffler5846]

While watching I thought turning the bowl would be easier, but I quickly realized it wouldn’t have come out nearly as good. The flat surfaces and angled joints perfectly complement the angles of the dragon skin pattern. Well Done.

[@cmclaren7]

It's beautiful! I would not have thought you could have made it without a lathe.

[@paddyokearney]

When trying to lift the drum sander, one key piece of advice that i can give here, is to try and lift the unit, and in fact any unit with a really violent jerking motion. You want to put your spine in as much strain as you possibly can. remember, lift with your back and jerk. Back and jerk, and so on.

[@jameshansen1148]

What a dream that drum sander is! As soon as you mentioned it I looked up pricing and said, "NOT TODAY" but I'm glad you were able to get that in your shop

[@woolyyak89]

It is beautiful. I loved that you did not hide your mistake at the beginning. It make me feel less of an idiot when I too make mistakes. I also like how you were able to make good use of the 'mistake' bits. loving your content

[@oliphauntsneverlie6227]

Awesome bowl! Also glad to see I am not the only one who uses India ink to get what I believe is the blackest black stain possible. When I rebuilt my staircase I used it on the treads and railings along with 3 coats of Bona Mega One clear satin. Still looks fantastic after three years!

[@danstephensen9032]

My Grampa made many works of Lathe-turned segmented Plywood. Over the years he earned a whole PILE of Blue Ribbons at the Oregon State Fair . . Archie Wilkinson. You can see some of his work in the Oregon State Capitol Bldg. (Salem, OR) where he produced many of the stairways, window casing, mouldings etc. I inherited some of his lathed art works!

[@davebauerart]

I really liked seeing the technique you used to slowly sneak up on the angles for the center.

[@elisabethreeves1786]

I notice you took the motor end when lifting the sander. You are a kind person. :)

[@JustJonNoH406]

KZbin algorithms got another piece of gold in front of my eyes at 4am; forcing me to immediately subscribe.can’t wait to see what future masterpieces come out of your imagination and creativity:)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@kathymullins8800]

A stupendously stunning retort to all those people who've ever said they would never need math!

[@acraftman2823]

Michael, I have been a cabinet /furniture maker for over 35 years and one thing I have found to be true ,The harder you work the luckier you get ! Not so sure about the harder you work the easier it gets though lol. I hope you stick with doing what you love and let the universe decide the outcome.

[@cassidionline2002]

This is ridiculously gorgeous! I've been following these last few videos with the colored veneers mixed in, and I never saw this coming. I don't have a lathe in my shop, but I've been wanting to try making bowls. This video came at the perfect time! Thank you for the inspiration!

[@Kelvallontan]

That indeed looks amazing. I've got to try this sometime soon, for drawer facades. Thanks a lot and keep those patterned plywood videos coming, they are great.

[@m0gg47]

This is the reason why i love woodworking

[@towboatjeff]

Absolutely beautiful! You've got me wanting to give pattern plywood a try now.

[@JennNahrstadt]

incredible!!! my father took up woodworking after he retired in 2007, and I've passed along a few of your projects for his enjoyment. Sadly, when he and my mom downsized, he couldn't keep his shop. I have three pieces he made specifically for my home, so those will always be special mementos of that season of his life.

[@headingoutside]

That's just incredible. I loved watching the whole thing, step by step. What an enormous amount of work.

[@samuelkofsky]

To help you to remove your tightened wedges insert and glue a wooden dow (or "peg wood") into each wedge and just tap on the dow to loosen them. The peg wood is tougher than a regular dow and it is used for clock repair as it will polish the pivot holes for the wheels.

[@AtelierQube]

Probably the coolest build I’ve seen in a long while! Love the colours, love the experiment, love the tips,… nothing but love 😁👏👏

[@lexiconlover]

That's the most beautiful pencil shaving I've ever seen!

[@dimcclung]

I love Winston. He’s such a cute boy! Love this new venture in mixing veneers. Looks even better and opens many more doors. I almost want to see how this would look with two layers of the solid veneer color. :)

[@tealkerberus748]

It's gorgeous. Followed so I can come back when it's not 3am and have a look at your other projects.

[@magalimertens7601]

Ok, that was awesome!! Thank you for sharing it with us! I would watch for sure other videos of you making more bowls like this one!

[@yankee2yankee216]

One of the most amazing segmented bowls I ever saw! VERY impressive!

[@jdmeesey]

His precision is so satisfying..

[@Meldrum000]

Amazing! The corners chipping off ending up giving the bowl edge a beautiful finished look. Wonderful work, well done... and the bonus bowl for little extra work. Superb.

[@sirfluffycnut]

I’m gobsmacked..that thing is just epicly beautiful! 😍

[@mephustowest1876]

This bowl and this pattern plywood looks really good. I truly enjoyed watching the video. Please do some more.

[@jakesazer-hopf8211]

Beautiful bowl, I commend you for putting in all the work it takes to make patterned plywood. I have discovered you through this video and I am on board for more. Please continue making plywood look beautiful!!

[@TheBlueMuzzy]

Reminds me of a lampshade.... which would be an EPIC lampshade/light fixture. Especially combined with that colored cord you use to match the veneer color

[@hali22996]

so mesmerizing and stunning, honestly the most beautiful piece of woodworking I have ever seen. Amazing job Mike!

[@QuibieGG]

I'm so glad this video popped up. What a beautiful bowl! It was fun watching you create this.

[@NaomiKFCHutchin]

I'm in love with that bowl, more patterned plywood projects would be great!!!

[@mantabordacarlos]

This is a great thing to watch the making of. Please, give us more!

[@CallMeMrBenjaminNYC]

Love the idea. I thing I would suggest you add to your arsenal are glue resistant surfaces for gluing up your work. I use two materials silicone rubber mats (soft and flexible) and Teflon boards (hard durable surface). Both are glue proof and peel off like a dream and available on Amazon. My next project using these 2 materials is to fabricate laminating/press plates for vertical pressure. Great way to evenly apply pressure over a large area. I hope this helps takes your work to the next level.

[@rosecityremodel2015]

The most fantastic wood project I have ever seen!

[@cldans804]

Just finding your channel, your projects are phenomenal. Also really like your playlists. They really go with the tranquility of the wood.

[@dansdoorjelevencirkeljedag5791]

Your work and how you organize is amazing!

[@richpalma7701]

Holy WHATTHEWHAAAAAAT!!!! This project is AMAZING! I stumbled onto your site and really enjoy watching your process of work from start to finish. The detail you put into each piece of art (it is art!) Astounds me. GREAT JOB Mike!

[@CognitiveDissident.]

Very cool! The other bowl made from the cut pieces almost looks like it could serve as a lid of sorts, sitting inside the larger bowl.

[@freethebirds3578]

Wow. I can't express how amazed I am. Did a little woodworking in middle school and college, so I have an idea how patient one needs to be to put wood together, so, wow. I think you have more patience than Job, sir.

[@raybozzer8119]

Very nice job! I would have never thought to build a bowl as you do. Awesome!!

[@relativXY]

Thanks for making such awesome videos. The second bowl you made with the offcuts looks like a beautiful lampshade.