Richard Raffan turns a tiny bark rim bowl from what should have been firewood

This is the 55mm dia. bowl seen in the Blanks From a Maple Log video. You see four ways of holding a natural edge blank as it becomes a bowl, although I don't recommend the last for novice turners.

[@johnseelke6593]

Richard Thank you for all the turning lessons you have provided for us novice want to be wood turners. Thank you. John

[@ronkiskowoodart9680]

I learn more from you in 30 seconds then I learn from others in 30 hours. Thank you for your videos! Love that little bowl.

[@rodneymiller5141]

I really enjoy watching you turn these small bowls and boxes, Richard. Many times they appear to be much more difficult than a larger bowl. I learn a tremendous amount from watching your tool control on these smaller projects. And I only have a midi lathe, so I also receive inspiration and ideas from watching you.

[@leftymcshea6876]

That delicate touch in finishing the foot was a jaw dropper indeed! I was already in awe at that point after you had mentioned earlier that you had 18 chucks 😳. I did pickup something that I hadn't in any of your previous videos is that you have dividers pre-set and dedicated for each set of jaws. What a timesaver! I have four chucks.....I'm gonna get couple more dividers and do the same. That's a great tip! Many thanks Richard.

[@chrisjohnston2449]

After watching your last video (the one that this little bowl came from) I set out to cut up a huge burl into possible bowl blanks and so many smaller pieces to create small bowls, accent lids, wine stoppers, and so many other items. Thank you so much for giving me the push to cut into this 5' long 24" wide burl.

[@albyhall]

Always a pleasure watching and listening to you turn , Richard.

[@johnnyb95678]

Richard, thank you for another educational master class in turning a live edge bowl. Beautiful little bowl!

[@jorisdemoel3821]

What a lovely tiny little thing. And a nail-biter at the end with the foot. It was good to see Sock and Son of Sock making an appearance. Thanks for another informative and entertaining video.

[@Elyyfz450]

Turning firewood into a beautiful piece. Outstanding.

[@alangibb3100]

Richard, what a smashing wee bowl that turned out fantastic. I need to be looking at my bits of wood in a different light after watching you. Well done and thank you

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

'Novice' made me smile. Thanks, as always.

[@ravenhhca]

That is just lovely!

[@kevinbooth2063]

Richard awesome job very beautiful live edge bowl. You helped me in more ways than you will ever know.

[@johnmcelweemodelships8103]

I have a 10 inch lathe and are planning to do small projects. I have learned a lot watching your small bowl presentation. I can see that you have a lot of experience and make it look easy. I have been using what is called shine juice but now will be experimenting with wax. There is something special with leaving the bark tastefully on a turning. Thanks.

[@jonr6540]

I have been doing large bowls for years but your videos have inspired me to pursue smaller sizes that I would never have considered before. I think the best part is how little sanding I have to do compared to large pieces. I have found that using a 2 inch forstner bit provides a quick option for a recess on the top side of the blank, then I can just turn the base also with a recess to completion and I only have to do one reversal. I really enjoy how quick it goes. Typically I do not prefer using recesses but on the smaller dish type pieces they work out nice.

[@charleswatson7154]

Enjoy your videos, been watching 40+ years I imagine. Even watched you in Provo!

[@sweetlandsheatingcooling9039]

Adorable! Thanks for posting these vids. I enjoy watching them, your commentary and get something out of every video.

[@boooshes]

That ice cream bowl would help with my diet

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Problem is these bowls can be refilled.

[@DennisSuitters]

Very good Richard, another enjoyable lunchtime viewing. Was expecting it to fly off at the end, glad it didn't though.

[@davidcochran9322]

Beautiful wee bowl - you are a master turner with a delicate touch.

[@randycosgrove3608]

Thanks again Richard. Always nice to watch you work.

[@raydriver7300]

What a lovely little bowl. Thank you for sharing 🌞

[@bobbyplatt7654]

Wild man impresses his self even awesome to see.. Great little bowl to..

[@tomislavtomasicwoodturning]

Nice job sir.... Cute little bowl....

[@jackthompson5092]

Cute Richard.

[@boazjoe1]

This is so much fun to watch

[@marcelsimun6282]

Pekná práca pán majster... 👍👍👍

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Ďakujem

[@LewisKauffman]

Thanks!

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@dianadougherty7187]

excellent

[@DavidSmith-gs7fy]

(Sorry officer,) I didn't think I could go that fast on this lathe. Haha

[@brianhawes3115]

That was a great little bowl with the natural rim, I appreciate you spending the time to show how a professional turner deals with all the ways to deal with remounting, the cuts explained. My biggest challenge is duplicate pieces, as a cabinet maker I take duplicates for granted, but on the lathe it’s been quite a challenge, any spindle projects in the future?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I made living turning bowls and small endgrain stuff like scoops and suction-fit boxes, and I've not made many of those outside demonstrations since 1983. For professional spindle turning I suggest watching Steve Jones kzbin.info

[@scottstubberud1137]

Such a beautiful delicate little bowl and the way the wood gradually transitions from light to dark at the live edge is exquisite. Questions? What woods are the most favorable to having a bark that is secure enough to stay attached through the process of turning without using ca glue etc? And have you basically quit using BLO before the beeswax ?( or is it species dependent?). This piece was right up my alley!! Loved it!!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I find the biggest help in retaining the bark is to cut the tree in winter when the sap isn't rising. Many smooth-barked shrubs and small trees like cotoneaster and loquat seem to retain the bark and if you're in Tasmania you have horizontal scrub. I don't always use boiled linsee oil, or indeed any oil if plain wax does the job.

[@scottstubberud1137]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you so much for your response and I appreciate any and all information that you share with me!! You are a good man.

[@rickgibson7876]

Surprised you didn't wax the bottom while it was on the lathe. I've done a few small bowls but not natural edge. Have a few small honey locust logs that might work nice for that.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I left it unsanded so I can sign it using a permenant marker pen. I forgot to mention...

[@ivanbukh7576]

Very beautiful. Richard, if you can answer at what angle are you sharpening the Spindle Gouge?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The bevel on the nose is about 45° with a steeper right wing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ-rmH1rlquCqMU

[@milasiroky7576]

Beautiful! What rpm are you using for such a small product?

[@OregonOldTimerWOODTURNING]

At 1:35, he mentions speed being around 1800.

[@parrotmomx2]

Could these small items be used for succulent plants? Would the wax harm plants?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I know nothing about the effect of wax on plants, but if you're turning bowls in which to grow plants I think a thicker wall would be advisable and I'd leave the inside off the tool with no finish.

[@madmally]

Richard, I wonder what purpose such a small bowl might be used?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Currently this one contains a few washers and carpet tacks. I am using or have used similar small bowls for nuts to eat, nuts that go with bolts, mustard, garlic, paperclips, as a dice pot, key rings, coins, oil, salt, tiddliwinks, seeds, and probably a few other thing I can't recall at present. I'm wondering where you put or keep all your small small items or bric-a-brac.

[@ericmoorehead1100]

Did you avoid using a worm screw because of size?

[@Leefywood]

Can’t use the worm screw and have the freedom to adjust the angles.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@Leefywood Correct.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The main reason for using the 2-spur drive is the ablilty to adjust the rim in relation to the surface the bowl sits on. Another option is to drill a 20mm deep hole so the blank can be adjusted on pin jaws. Finally a screw chuck doesn't offer much support for the blank which would rock on the screw.

[@robertbutt8]

Get on with it

[@unclemonty9506]

fantastic - I see so many moans from turners complaining that logs have been cut too short or that they're only good for burning. There's no such thing as scrap wood in my book, only a lack of imagination