This Maple Log Was Turned Into a Beautiful Bowl in 24 Hours…

If only fresh wood could be turned into bowls this quick all the time! I decided to try a little challenge where I take a whole maple log and turn it into a finished wood bowl within 24 hours. This wood was filled with some beautiful spalting and colors which made this turn that much more exciting. Let me know, have you ever turned a bowl on a time limit before?
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[@jayscott306]

Well, if that's your first green bowl, well done, Andrew! I really enjoy your productions.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Jay! I actually turn green wood 99% of the time when I do bowls but this was the first time I have ever tried to finish one fresh like this in 24 hours. Was more of a curiosity to see what would happen with finishing it this fast lol

[@blackcoalwoodworking]

This bowl might just be my favorite one yet!

[@andrewmccarn]

Awesome! Im glad to hear that!

[@crackerjack3359]

A beautiful piece of wood crying out to be cored.

[@SilverBack.]

WOW the 24 hour bowl is stunning

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that; Its hard to beat spalted wood especially spalt and figure!

[@MarykateMcCarn]

Love this piece and I’m also loving the vlog style of video!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I am definitely getting used to talking more lol

[@JiggsysShed]

That is a really beautiful piece. Love the little feet, which just makes it really unique.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you; The feet are probably one of my favorite things about this piece!

[@PeterGriffiths-d9x]

Great work I enjoyed watching your video .

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@graygrand]

Beautiful. Love the way the grain shows up.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Putting the oil on pieces like this have to be one of my favorite parts because it really brings out all the colors & details in the wood.

[@rickharem5788]

I love it. Now I have to try a footed bowl. Thanks for getting my to head out to the shop.

[@iamwad2216]

The spalt, the curl....absolutely gorgeous. The feet are an added bonus. Well done!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Its one thing to turn wood with figure or spalting in it but its a game changer when the wood has both. Its why I love maple, you never know exactly what it will look like.

[@jpwoodwork]

dude thats beautiful, awesome job

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank ya, I appreciate that!

[@kevingeaney7741]

It was really clever to put three feet on it, no matter how much the wood moves it still sits steadily! I have a few candidates for that technique and I will try it. Thanks for sharing, great job!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I definitely recommend trying the feet. Its a cool little detail to try on a bowl

[@felocarp]

Stunning bowl, Andrew! Pleasing videography, too. Thanks!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@howardbeaver4937]

Outstanding bowl, keep them coming!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Im trying! lol

[@jrclark222]

Man that’s gorgeous. Great job!

[@andrewmccarn]

I have to give all the credit to the wood! Its hard to make something ugly when the wood is this pretty!

[@leegillow3475]

New hobby, Great idea

[@andrewmccarn]

Its fun trying something different!

[@pamelaperry5790]

Beautiful! Spalted maple is my favorite wood to turn.

[@andrewmccarn]

You and me both! Walnut & spalted maple are tied for the number one spot in my book

[@FortInTheWoods]

great video, the color on that wood is crazy

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks man! Its part of the reason I love maple

[@scottfonner]

Beautiful bowl, very well produced video. Well done Andrew, you come off very likeable.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Scott! I try but days that I have had to do a lot of sanding you might think otherwise lol

[@TournageDubois]

Awesome piece! Love your cinematic approach as well!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@robertbourke7935]

Excellent work and great result

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Robert!

[@rickharem5788]

Nice job Andrew. A lovely natural edge bowl, I never tire of them. Very pretty.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@brucerowan6630]

You are a master, I turn green wood all the time and finish it.

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that a ton! There is nothing more fun for turners than turning green wood.

[@markjupina178]

Really nice! Would love to see it with a few coats of laquer.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks! Ive been wanting to make some laguer for months now. Hopefully soon I will and ill be sure to use it on something special!

[@berniemccafferty8642]

That’s great piece of wood 🇬🇧😎👍

[@andrewmccarn]

Its hard to beat maple!

[@jimcase5841]

Spectacular. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you & thanks for commenting!

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

Nice piece this week!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank ya! I was proud of this one

[@bearpaw2401]

Andrew, just discovered your channel last night - outstanding work and presentation. Look forward to your future videos.

[@andrewmccarn]

I really do appreciate that & I am glad you found my channel!

[@jjisella]

The feet, never saw this, thanks for showing me something new. :) With the 3 foot design it doesn't matter if the wood moves, will always sit flat, great design.

[@andrewmccarn]

Exactly! Its one of the reason the feet are great for green turned bowls, no matter how much it moves, it will always sit flat!

[@woodallround]

Very great bowl. Good work from you. The wood is so beautifull

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! Its hard to beat spalted maple!

[@padan3729]

Very cool project and what an awesome bowl! Great job brother!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank ya! I appreciate that

[@eastcoastwilly1373]

Spectacular job man....such an inspiration for those of us pondering getting into turning....awesome job man !

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!! Getting into wood turning was one of the best choices I ever made so I recommend it if you've been thinking about it!

[@BrailsfordWoodworks]

Fantastic work!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@jamesbrasseaux133]

beautiful work dude!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Very nice Andrew. Isn’t it amazing how sanding and 8 hours of sitting help with the drying process? Looked like the oil was being sucked straight into the wood as fast as you applied it. I’d suggest 2-3 more coats to get a completed finish. Love the carved feet as well. Super job!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Doug! It really is; the wood didn't even feel wet & was surprised by how fast the oil was being absorbed. I definitely will be adding a few more coats but will probably space them out over the next few weeks just to allow for a little more drying and keep an eye on any potential cracking.

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

@@andrewmccarn good plan

[@brendadriver2702]

Wow! I love everything about this bowl! The spalting, natural edge, and the feet make this bowl come together beautifully!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you Brenda; This is one Im definitely proud of!

[@gregstragier196]

Another great video. I like how the feet compliment the natural edge. That spalting is awesome.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Greg! I appreciate the kind words

[@annlaurie1484]

Watching the oil go on and that grain popping, wonderful. Beautiful bowl 😊

[@andrewmccarn]

I was anxious to get to that part, I love seeing how much the wood changes when the oil goes on and all the details come out! Thank you!

[@tf484]

Amazing piece

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@melissabelding7546]

Nice woodturning but your video was also a pleasure to watch and listen to. I'll subscribe. 🙂

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that!

[@ronswanson2456]

Wow looking good

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks!

[@sharpshooter470]

Very nice work Andrew! Spalted Maple is hard to beat for contrast and color. Did you happen to check the moisture level before applying the finish? The 3 legs are a good solution to the movement that will come from that piece. Blessing and thanks for sharing 😀

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! It really is, I still remember the very first time I got to turn spalted wood. I wish I would have but I checked after cutting it open. Was sitting around 19% and meant to check that next morning but forgot lol But youre absolutely right! I didn't even think of the feet allowing the bowl to sit flat even with future movement.

[@WildPhotoShooter]

Your bowl is superb, and the feet, that has already been commented on, actually complement the shape perfectly.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for the kind words! I was hesitant to add them at first, I just made that choice on the fly but glad I did!

[@Hot88s]

Couldn’t ask for anything more. Beautiful job!

[@andrewmccarn]

I appreciate that!

[@JamesCouch777]

I'm always looking for ideas so thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience 👌. Nice job on the piece!

[@andrewmccarn]

Absolutely! Its always fun to try new things, those experiences is how I love to learn.

[@BrickhouseCraftWorks]

Fantastic work, brother! What a lovely figure, and the form is just spot on! Well done!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks bud! This was one of those bowls where I didn't really have a plan for the shape but was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was happy with it lol

[@ValerieThompson-et3hx]

Beautiful!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@robertralph9827]

Amazingly amazing

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@retrowind]

Ahhh spalted maple, my personal favorite, has such a beautiful and interesting look to it. Turned out great, the three little feet added to the look also. Great video! I enjoyed the change up in style and the nice little opening, Bob Vila better watch out. Plus I like the nod to grandpa, very sweet touch. Keep up the great work! Can’t wait to watch you on HGTV one day.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks man, I appreciate the thoughtful comment. Maybe one day I can turn a bowl for Joanna Gaines lol

[@TurningStarkers]

Just great Andrew. I love your cinematography. Do you have a jig or a videographer. Great work as well.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I do it all myself; I bought a motorized slider off of amazon a few years ago which is how I get all the moving shots. Its pretty customizable for different angles, great little tool to have for videos!

[@TurningStarkers]

@@andrewmccarn it really adds to the video.

[@PBUCKY1969]

Beautiful bowl Andrew - pleasure to watch! Do you ever just let a green turning dry 'wonky'?

[@andrewmccarn]

All the time! I typically turn bowls using the once turned method so the majority of my work tends to warp. I love the look of it. Got a video talking about coming soon actually!

[@PBUCKY1969]

@@andrewmccarn I look forward to it - got you on Instagram too, nice work!

[@stephanielovatt2787]

Ahhhh! The figure, And the spalting: Beautiful! The little feet are really cute!

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!!

[@tomclark3986]

i liked it. good job

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks!

[@dlawson716]

Absolutely beautiful piece. I love your filming of this. I watch alot of turning videos and this one sticks out better to me than the others. Thanks and I hope to see more. You have a new subscriber.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you for subscribing & the wonderful comment! I love videography & trying to learn more about that so I thought it would be fun to combine my love for woodworking/turning & videos and try to create videos with a good mixture of both. Still learning but I feel like I am finally getting somewhere with it! lol

[@johnmarkelewicz5495]

Looks great Andrew. I love spalted Maple and that bowl has some nice spalting. As always, good job!

[@andrewmccarn]

Appreciate the kind words John!

[@robertchriscoe5830]

Another beautiful piece. Spalted maple is one of my favorites to work with. I am definitely getting my lathe in good running order so I can get back to turning. I have some maple logs that I’m gonna saw soon. They’ve been sitting awhile so I hope they are still solid enough to make good turning stock.

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Robert! Its probably one of my favorites as well & I hope they are! I know I have some pieces that had sit for a long while and still be ok

[@OzfGP35]

Gosh, it's stunning & done under 24 hours 😊 spalted maple from ur driveway is really pretty, had to tilt my head a bit when u did those feet & ask why ??? but silly me, who asks the maker why 🤔 cause those three little cute feet turned out fabulous 🤠

[@andrewmccarn]

The feet are one of those things you just have to trust the process! lol I love them but it definitely adds a particular look to a bowl thats not for everyone. But they are just a fun little detail I like to add every so often.

[@jamesfouse3717]

Very nice Andrew, Did you take any moisture reading before you started turning? Everything about your bowl is gorgeous . what is your finish oil? Thanks for sharing

[@andrewmccarn]

I took one after splitting the log and it was roughly around 18% I think but I completely forgot to take anymore after that. I meant to try and get a reading the next day. For this piece I used Real Milk Paint Co. Half and Half tung oil. I also recommend Tried & True and Walrus Oil. All three are great brands

[@joshbrickle834]

What type of finish do you use? Love all your videos, keep up the great work!!

[@andrewmccarn]

I typically use danish oil, tung oil or mineral oil/beeswax. Majority of my work is danish oil or tung oil but for some standard salad bowls ill use mineral oil!

[@drbockel2]

Very nice! A very Dan Youngesque look with the feet. I need to try that sometime. Did you carve it off with an angle grinder? What is the attachment?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks! I turn the legs down to thickness when turning away the tenon & then I use the Arbortech mini carver to do the bulk shaping & then clean up with some sanding!

[@clydeschuyler]

Great work! I’m getting ready to buy that same lathe in a month. Anything I should be worried about? Or would you have bought a different one now that you have been using it?

[@andrewmccarn]

The only thing I say when people ask that is if you have the budget then go for the 24/36! I would've purchased that one but my shop only has 110v. If not, this has been a great lathe and I have no regrets. My only small gripe is the banjo is a tad bulky but thats about it lol Its been able to handle everything Ive turned on it.

[@darrylaltizer8486]

Love the bowl and love the video! What finish did you apply?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! I used Real Milk Paint Co. Half & Half tung oil for the finish.

[@Amybaumgart]

Great video and beautiful bowl. Question, did you mount that directly onto the lathe spindle to start? What type of finish did you use?

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you! To mount this one, I used an old spindle adapter that I have from my bench top lathe. I use it as sort of a make shift wormwood screw. Been doing it for years now and I love how well it works with natural edge bowls. For the finish, I went with Real Milk Paint Co. Half & Half tung oil.

[@timponder7487]

Great work beautiful bowl love the feet

[@andrewmccarn]

Thanks Tim!

[@TimElsenpeter1]

I'd like to see how a bowl would turn out from a tree cut down within the last 24 hours. Any chance of you trying that?

[@andrewmccarn]

Definitely would be willing to give it a shot!

[@jjisella]

What is the cutting head you're using on the angle grinder? Thanks

[@andrewmccarn]

That is the Arbortech Mini

[@robertcornelius3514]

Welcome to the We cut dry wood and hate it club.

[@andrewmccarn]

I definitely try to avoid turning dry if I can! Lol

[@garyblankenship104]

Did u use ca glue, if so at what stage of sanding?...

[@andrewmccarn]

I did use some for these small cracks on the rim of the bowl and I did it right before I sanded the piece.

[@eranmizrahi7948]

i love your work. i have a 'but'.. if a log sits for 3 years, how could you call it 'green'?.

[@andrewmccarn]

My reason was because when I cut into it, it was still sitting around 18%-20% moisture and potentially more which is still pretty high. I wouldnt call the log green per se but it was still green wood as it wasn't dried out or turned yet. I typically call green wood anything that is turned from undried wood.

[@eranmizrahi7948]

@@andrewmccarn got you buddy. Looking forward your next one. R u on instagram?

[@JuanPerez-ek8wd]

the grain and the color just looks awesome..

[@andrewmccarn]

Thank you!

[@JuanPerez-ek8wd]

well you still have the other half of that log to turn.. the two halves should go together...

[@andrewmccarn]

Definitely got some plans for that other half here soon!