Precision Watermelon Slicing

[@d00dEEE]

I had just been asking myself, "When is someone going to develop a really precise method for slicing watermelon?" Well, turns out today is that day!

[@RonCovell]

Your lucky day, indeed!

[@sheldondrake8935]

Why isn't the media covering this!?!?

[@lennyf1957]

LMAO

[@Rustinox]

I think you just saved mankind with you water melon slice method. I love it. Absolutely brilliant.

[@RonCovell]

It seems like nearly everyone who posted a comment liked it!

[@kaimetso9552]

Ron Covell - The man with zero dislikes and I can see why. Superb!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@gofastwclass]

Ron, you have a simple and creative solution for everything.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@CraigsWorkshop]

I'm getting flashbacks here to John @ doubleboost turning a carrot on his lathe 😂 Cheers, Craig

[@RonCovell]

I haven't seen that one - but it sounds like fun!

[@EmmaRitson]

enjoyed as always! thats a great idea. thanks Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidclifford9774]

I love watermelon season, and particularly enjoy following the harvest as melons get delivered throughout the season. Georgia and Missouri have consistently had the best flavor and texture with A Missouri Melon being my all time favorite! My wife has pictures of me looking through the Melon bins like a kid digging in the dentists toy bin and apparently I seem to “be the expert” at picking good melons because I end up giving an impromptu class on how to pick a good melon because people see me get excited. I understand the need to get a square cut thank you for the video!!

[@RonCovell]

Ahhh - I can see you are a connoisseur of melons. I hope to meet you someday!

[@danpickett9103]

Another GREAT solution to an age old problem. Thanks Ron.

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad I can help with at least one of the world's problems!

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Ron, The best solutions are always very simple... enjoyable viewing, thank you. Take care. Paul,,

[@RonCovell]

Well, this is a little different from what I usually post, so I'm glad you liked it!

[@mitchelljones2311]

I totally thought you were going to fabricate something out of 2024T3, to slice watermelon. 😂 You’re a genius.

[@RonCovell]

Sometimes the simpler solutions are better!

[@aldobruno712]

I love your videos Ron! keep them coming! This video was so fun to watch, it is a very clever but simple idea!!

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you liked it.

[@ruftime]

Thank you Ron! A Craftsman, through and through❤️😎

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@TheMick26]

Haha, nice one! You never cease to amaze, Ron! Have a wonderful weekend, sir.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, and get something good to eat today!

[@yashaswisharma9064]

Not all superheroes wear capes.. What's amazing is that anyone can do this in their kitchens by improvising with whatever they have.

[@RonCovell]

Yes, it always helps to think creatively!

[@ruissarnadas]

It works... Makes me smile. Thanks for this nice and funny vídeo.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you too!

[@ionymous6733]

remember when watermelons had seeds and you'd spit them out like a machine gun at the family picnic? I miss those days.

[@RonCovell]

You were the life of the party!

[@captainmurphy4720]

MY DREAM OF BECOMING A WATERMELON LATHE IS FINALLY GOING TO COME TRUE. THANK YOU RON!

[@RonCovell]

Good for you! You might enjoy seeing Super Fast Matt slicing tomatoes on his lathe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXa0eKJjaat7bq8

[@toddcott9510]

I was half expecting you to make a fixing for your lathe chuck. Instead you apply simple logic Another good one, Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks 👍

[@codys_fab]

I was fully prepared for an mdf fixture! Great video Ron!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, and I'm glad you liked it!

[@6061]

Pretty cool Ron, you got it figured out perfectly as usual. Now I wonder how a garrote (piano wire with aluminum T-handles) would work after the initial cut? You could do some cheese/egg slicing tests too!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, Aaron. A few people referenced a kitchen tool designed to level cake layers, which uses the garrote principle. It was a new idea to me, for cooking, at least.

[@peterouellette3874]

The center is the sweetest

[@RonCovell]

That's why I eat it first!

[@ohhpaul7364]

Thanks, Ron. Thanks, Emma. that was fun.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and I'm sure Emma is, too!

[@davebutler2776]

The mother of invention he knows what we need more than we do. Great as always.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@CreaseysWorkshop]

Wonderful life hack! I love it. Thanks for sharing.

[@RonCovell]

You are so welcome!

[@SteveSummers]

That was a neat trick Ron👍. Well done friend.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@smash5967]

Two thoughts on alternatives: 1: If you use a knife longer than the watermelon is wide you won't have to go around in a circle. That might help improve accuracy while also increasing the speed at which you can cut a watermelon. 2: When you want to remove the watermelon from the rind, start by cutting it roughly in half, then cut the rind off like you're peeling it. The rind is what provides almost all the resistance, so you can super easily make whatever cuts you want once that's removed. (Bonus idea: make a sliding table or crosscut sled for your vertical bandsaw and set the watermelon up on that.)

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for the top-notch ideas! They do make special slitting blades for bandsaws, which have no teeth. That would be ideal for cutting watermelon (but I wouldn't relish doing the cleanup of the machine afterward).

[@gregfeneis609]

This is brilliantly simple and effective.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@gregfeneis609]

@@RonCovell This is a great technique for all kinds of uniform food cutting. In some cases, a food safe marker could be used in place of the primary scoring knife 🤷

[@RonCovell]

Great idea!

[@leebatt7964]

Damn! I cant believe I never thought of this. I’ve been clamping watermelon in my horizontal bandsaw for years. Ever tried clamping a watermelon? Not easy! And don’t get me started on how much of a pain in the ass having to rinse off the cutting fluid is. Youre a genius Ron!

[@RonCovell]

Yeah, this is MUCH easier than that!

[@hamdiklcarslan4435]

Thanks MrRon, great idea for the watermelon

[@RonCovell]

We aim to please!

[@metalguru6152]

Now I'm gonna go out and get a watermelon to try this! Thanx Ron!

[@RonCovell]

They're tasty!

[@metalguru6152]

@@RonCovell I tried it and you are correct! I will always cut watermelon like this from now on! Precision cut.

[@RonCovell]

You won't be disappointed!

[@joell439]

🤣😂🤣….. us OCD people rarely share our obsessions. 👍😎👍

[@RonCovell]

Well, the truth has leaked out - in my case, at least!

[@xpndblhero5170]

I'm glad to see that This Old Tony has rubbed off on your sense of humor..... 🤣

[@RonCovell]

Well, I do have a sense of humor, but Tony is remarkable!

[@xpndblhero5170]

@@RonCovell - 😂

[@JustinPaul1st]

Basic innovative idea👍especially practical as we entering watermelon season 💯💯💯

[@RonCovell]

The timing is perfect!

[@64Pete]

Awesome tip Ron, just coming into watermelon season here! ✌🇦🇺

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad to hear that - we're just cycling out of the peak season here in the northern hemisphere.

[@robertoswalt319]

I would have never guessed that you follow Emma and her channel. That is a clever way to slice watermelons. I have to admit that I am too impatient to take that much care when I am sli ING them.

[@RonCovell]

I watch a LOT of KZbin channels, and learn from all of them. I know that precision slicing of watermelons isn't for everyone - to each their own!

[@mduvigneaud]

Great video! In the past I've used the same technique for scoring a line on aluminum cans for making penny stoves.

[@RonCovell]

I'm sure it works well for that application - no seeds!

[@mduvigneaud]

@@RonCovell No seeds but the slices can get stuck in your teeth.

[@RonCovell]

HAH!

[@ChristianNeff]

Ron, consider making a sign to hang over the one behind you if you continue doing cooking videos... Some suggestions... Covell Creative Cooking Or Covell Creative Cuisine 😉

[@RonCovell]

I LIKE your ideas!

[@AL6S00740]

Damn Sir , you take pride in everything you do :D

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@wyattoneable]

I had to smile. Only guys like you would worry about the exact thickness of a melon slice and come up with an idea to achieve it! But I'm with you, I'll never slice a water melon the same way after this. ha ha

[@RonCovell]

Ya gotta do it the way you like it!

[@ddistrbd1]

What a great looking watermelon, I enjoyed watching this video, will definitely use it and show off in front of my wife. lol.

[@RonCovell]

Hope she likes it!

[@memyselfandeye1234]

:) ... segments all the way ... easy as ..... job done :) peace

[@error-xn7hn]

I really feel like I have learned something today!

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad to hear it!

[@campbellpaul]

lol 😅 Ron, you are the best!!!

[@RonCovell]

Hope you got a laugh out of this one!

[@campbellpaul]

@@RonCovell I'm more like you than you know... My brother-in-law can dice an entire watermelon in under a minute leaving me spellbound. It's refreshing to know a master like you has limitations that I can relate to lol 😅

[@MaxC925]

i had no idea i needed this video ♥

[@RonCovell]

Well, I guess you liked it!

[@davecross5317]

I so love this channel! ;)

[@RonCovell]

Happy to hear that!

[@davecross5317]

@@RonCovell Ron, I learn more from your channel than any other I've ever watched. Seeing something whimsical now and then makes it all the better. Thank you for all you do man! You are making a difference in the world!

[@jimmyrk3]

I will use this technique on my next watermelon cutting journey.

[@RonCovell]

You won't be disappointed!

[@jimmyrk3]

@@RonCovell I suspect not...😁

[@timucintarakc2281]

welcome back papa.

[@kateperlmutter91]

Ron, this is always been a problem for me. I really appreciate you coming up with this method! ❤ cousin Kate

[@RonCovell]

Kate - Hey, it was so wonderful to spend some quality time with you and Greg, and I'm so glad you enjoyed this video!

[@bearshield7138]

Rolling on flor with laughter wonderful thinking

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it. Watch out for the seeds.

[@bearshield7138]

@@RonCovell no kidding

[@EMcL88]

Love it!

[@RonCovell]

So glad!

[@howder1951]

You had me at Mmmmmmmm! cheers!

[@RonCovell]

I hope it put a smile on your face!

[@semtex2987]

i use this method for making cake where it's crucial all layers are consistent in height 😊 I also totally can feel you, when it comes to symetry and precision cutting your food, so now i can tell my wife, i'm not the only weirdo 🤣

[@RonCovell]

Yeah, there are quite a few of us who get fixated on making things precise. It's a blessing and a curse!

[@mr.x1510]

Ron, I love your videos. This one I had to click on because it seemed so different. Now if there's a challenge to bend a watermelon I'm sure that you could do it. 😄

[@RonCovell]

Bend a watermelon? I'll have to 'wrap' my mind around that. In Japan, where space is so limited, you can buy square watermelons which fit more efficiently into small refrigerators: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHuxhKODna9_rMk

[@shadowdog500]

I bet you’d carve a excellent jack o'lantern!

[@RonCovell]

Funny you mention that - I'm actually not very creative with carving Jack O'Lanterns. I'm better with things that have straight lines, or gentle curves.

[@davestohl9477]

good one Ron...

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Dave - I know YOU are a person who appreciates precision!

[@asdfgh-lo7jt]

Work with watermelon and you didn´t use neither shrinker/stretcher nor english wheel. Unbelievable, Ron. Love your videos.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks 👍

[@ml.2770]

There is a trick to slicing watermelon. Enter the melon from the top, cut evenly front to back, and not just around it a circle like was done here. Gently spread the kerf so you can see the cut thickness all the way down. Perfect slices every time.

[@RonCovell]

WOW - you've studied watermelon slicing much more thoroughly than I have!

[@ml.2770]

@@RonCovell A friends Chinese grandmother taught me when I was a teenager.

[@ellieprice363]

Love it. I thought you might use some sort of edge guided coping saw with a long fine tooth blade. Knife works much better though.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@ptonpc]

Thank goodness, we need no longer fear the watermelon menace!

[@RonCovell]

Yes, the world turns more smoothly on its axis when watermelon slices are a uniform thickness.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RonCovell]

My pleasure!

[@Joe.Doucette]

MMmmmmm love me some watermelon. Cheers, Ron.

[@RonCovell]

You and me both, Joe!

[@ianide2480]

Well, I was completely expecting some metal forming, welding, and general fabrication. Can't help but feel a tad let down, but it's ok, somehow I'll carry on.

[@RonCovell]

Have a nice slice of watermelon - it's bound to cheer you up. We all gotta eat!

[@jimrobcoyle]

That's a good looking watermelon. #Aloha

[@RonCovell]

It was sure tasty. The last time I went to my local store, pumpkins had replaced all the watermelons!

[@jimrobcoyle]

@@RonCovell A sign we just used up another of our Summers.

[@HorochovPL]

We've travelled in time, it's Prima Aprillis! Great video though

[@RonCovell]

Thanks! This might sound far-fetched, but I really do cut my watermelon slices this way!

[@tombrown9460]

I've had that problem my whole life, how do I slice a perfect watermelon slice. My brother does it by hand and his always come out perfect. Well now he has some competition! Thanks Ron

[@RonCovell]

Great - there is nothing like brotherly harmony!

[@charl_k]

Who knew that cutting a watermelon would get my like? Once the sawdust is cleared off, surfaces disinfected, and the blade changed to a bandknife, my bandsaw would do just as good a job. 1 hour of cleaning later I'd be able to enjoy the watermelon as well.

[@RonCovell]

But a bandsaw cut would be faster and better - especially if you had a dozen melons to slice! They make tall rip fences that would be ideal for a large melon.

[@thercbarn5001]

Fun video!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@richardcrompton6009]

But i was wondering why doesn’t my table revolve ?

[@somenotherdude333]

Two videos in and I am confident that next time we have a watermelon on the job i can make precision slices using my red and green aviation snips... Whaddya mean you forgot the salt??? 😂

[@RonCovell]

You sound like a multitasker, in full force!

[@TheAyrCaveShop]

Awesome !!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!!

[@danreagoso3939]

Finally my mind will rest and i'll have a good night's🤣 sleep !

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad I could help - you need your sleep!

[@horrovac]

I have also developed a watermelon cutting technique to cut a watermelon in half. I hate it when the watermelon is not cut precisely in the centre, from the stalk to the end, and the halves are not (roughly) equal in size. I lay it sideways on a tray on the floor and rotate it until the halves are roughly symmetrical. Watermelons are usually slightly bent, one side is shorter and the other has a bit of a bulge, but there is mostly a plane of pretty good symmetry. Then I set the knife on within that plane of symmetry, and vise the stalk and the end over the knife. When I'm satisfied it's oriented properly, I give the back of the blade a tap with the root of my hand, just to start the cut. This results in a surprisingly precise cut. If I don't cut precisely through the middle of both end points, I'm usually within millimetres of them. I also eat it from the outside in. If you eat the core first, the rest of it is usually pretty bland and not sweet. I peel the green part of the skin and don't bother removing all of the white bit (it's healthy). I then start cutting slices about an eighth of the diameter vertically, horizontally and at 45°, gradually nearing the core. When you eat the white bits with the red ones it's quite crunchy but still sweet. As the melon is getting sweeter towards the inside, you feel the sweetness throughout. Watermelon is great!

[@RonCovell]

I like your approach very much! Maybe we should start an international 'Precision Watermelon Cutting Club'?

[@Technocolor00]

thank you guy who looks like Santa, you've saved my marriage

[@RonCovell]

Hey, glad I could help!

[@nigelsmith7366]

You should make a up-scale egg slicer.... Put watermelon in side a slotted cradle and pull down a arm with several thin blades mounted in it

[@RonCovell]

I LIKE that idea!

[@leonhosie3053]

Very left field but I love your engineering mind! well done 👏

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@Weeping.F]

wow, creative melonworking

[@RonCovell]

You got it right!

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi, great video!! The problem I have with sandias (water melon) is that the ones I buy are, or have been, case hardened so when I make the first cut it relieves the surface tension and opens up on its own!! You should have a look at John Mills doubleboost channel for his cooking videos, he would have had that slice on the surface table for measurement. Well done and good luck from Spain!!

[@RonCovell]

David, Yes, it seems that some melons have a lot of tension on the surface, and can actually split to some degree when the rind is weakened with the initial cut. Perhaps I will do some experiments on annealing a full melon, to relieve this tension! Thanks for introducing me to John Mill's channel. I hadn't heard of him before, and I watched his Spam Fritter In Beer Batter video - it was a hoot! I especially liked his use of a digital caliper to gauge the thickness of Spam slices!

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@RonCovell Annealing water melons would be a great video!! Lots of good stuff on John's channel!!

[@RonCovell]

I probably should have said 'Stress Relieving' - that's more accurate in this instance.

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@RonCovell And I was just thinking about how to measure the hardness and discovered that you can buy fruit hardness gauges, couldnt find anything on cutting speeds but then I did a search and found this kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZqze2Boj72aa68. Its no good there is really nothing left to be invented!!

[@RonCovell]

I'm amazed - who knew there were such machines around?

[@patrickholmes001]

transfers well to marking and cutting large diameter tubes or odd shapes.

[@RonCovell]

Hey - that's certainly a bonus from a cooking tip!

[@jc5c515]

When I first saw the miniature I thought it was an April fools video

[@RonCovell]

April Fool's in October!

[@Anivacuum]

I have come to quite similar solution for making same width slices of baked base for cakes. :-)

[@RonCovell]

I just had a look online at the tool that slices cakes. Very similar idea!

[@TheKopakah]

Heck yeah!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@anthonyrich1592]

lol, that's awesome. I'll have to introduce you to a cake leveller.

[@RonCovell]

A couple of people mentioned that, so I looked one up online. It's a very similar concept!

[@honthirty_]

I prefer to cut watermellon stem to stern (lengthwise). The sweetness is slightly more consistent and the seeds line up straight. However I have the same thickness issue with the wedge. I have been using my lathe divider to get 8 equal wedges, but now notice an oil after taste. Why are there 2 identical videos?

[@RonCovell]

I'll have to try those ideas. I particularly like the idea of using a lathe divider - that would lead to some REAL precision! I'll wash the oil off first, and the watermelon juice off after cutting. I don't know why you see two videos - I only see one on my computer, and on my channel home page.

[@honthirty_]

@@RonCovell must have been a KZbin hick-up. Fixed now. Thx. Keep up the Great content!

[@ScamstinCrew]

I do the same thing with bagels. I use a cookie cutter ring.

[@RonCovell]

What a cool idea!

[@TalRohan]

And a precision cut like that makes the watermelon tastier too. ...but does it work on other melons

[@rjman123au1]

Hi Ron, will this method work with Cantaloupes as well as Watermelons?

[@RonCovell]

I've never tried it, but I'm sure it would. I eat cantaloupe every day, but I cut it into quarters, and since my knife is large enough to go end to end, the cuts come out perfectly straight every time.

[@veryoldpotato]

Tried using the surface plate for more precision. My slices have never been so consistent, and my surface plate has never tasted better.

[@RonCovell]

Now I suggest you use a laser scalpel for even higher precision! Your surface plate probably won't taste any better, though.

[@Cars_of_yesteryear]

Now that's using your melon!

[@RonCovell]

HAH!

[@RoadsterLoverMedia]

Great video. Are there any questions you don't have the answer to that you could post as your own challenge? Something simpler than the meaning of life or other known impossible question? Given how your mind works, it'd be interesting to know of a true challenge on your level of experience and expertise.

[@RonCovell]

You know - over the years, I have responded to thousands of comments on my KZbin videos - but yours is the most challenging I have encountered yet! For sure, every day I have questions that I don't have answers to, and I do enjoy turning at least some of these into learning exercises. For some reason, I'm feeling stumped at this moment, but I'll continue to ponder your excellent challenge - and it could lead to one or more KZbin videos that would take quite a different turn! If you have any promising suggestions, please let me know! You can reach me by email at [e-mail], if you prefer.

[@RoadsterLoverMedia]

@@RonCovell Reply sent. The basic question is: What would be an unanswered question that is always at the back of your mind seriously wanting to get out? How does _______? Why does _______? Has _____ ever been done before?

[@geef6770]

That's why I bought a vertical lathe last yaer... You found a better solution...

[@RonCovell]

Great - you might find some other uses for it, too!

[@waynecreech]

Come on Ron, how about a fishmouth cut watermelon slice or a wavy cut....

[@RonCovell]

That would be a VERY ADVANCED video!

[@Paulman50]

Very cunning 👍😄

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@tridium-go6hw]

But what if I want a unique shape to my watermelon slice? Rollation?😁

[@RonCovell]

Take a look at this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZqze2Boj72aa68

[@jessefoulk]

Satisfying

[@RonCovell]

Great!

[@CarlJohnson-ry3gc]

Do you have a a way to cut unsliced home made bread?

[@RonCovell]

Check out this video by doublboost: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qITTZKSdp7GAesU

[@markd6777]

Too funny Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you got a kick out of it!

[@kmalnasef1512]

I love watermelon I can eat a complete one alone 😀😀😀😀

[@RonCovell]

Yes, they are tasty!

[@marknahabedian1803]

But how did you make the initial planar latitudinal cut?

[@RonCovell]

I made the first cut with the large knife, very similar to the first cut shown in this video. That cut wasn't perfectly straight, but after you make the first cut in the rotary fashion, you will get very straight cuts from that point on.

[@louisfkoorts5590]

Ha ha. Fun idea 👌👍

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@G5Ckxew]

World's least expensive layout scribe!

[@RonCovell]

Yes, and it works pretty well!

[@G5Ckxew]

@@RonCovell I wish I could convince you to write a book specifically about layouts and pattern transfers. It's a common task to take complex measurements and transfer them to your workpiece yet I can't find any books on the topic. The closest book I could find is a book written for home builders titled "Measuring, Marking & Layout: A Builder's Guide" by John Carroll.

[@RonCovell]

Well, I have a pretty lengthy 'to-do' list, but a book on layout would be a good thing to add to it!