Woodturning a Fantastic Bowl From a Flat Board

This is my first attempt at woodturning a bowl from a board. The inspiration for this piece was from a video by thepapa1947. For a full instructional video on this process, please watch his video. Link below to his video and channel. I tried to stick to his instructions for my first attempt and feel I was fairly successful. I used Walnut, quilted Maple, and Padauk in this piece. I’m not sure I like the idea of using Padauk next to maple as it really hinders the finishing options due to the Padauk bleeding into the Maple. I used a gloss clear lacquer on this piece to limit the color bleed. This was a fun a simple piece to make that required a few special setups. I really enjoyed making this project and now that I feel confident in the technique, I will likely adapt it to try some different designs in the future. I had some successes and failures in this video. I tried and failed to keep the first ring from bouncing around on the lathe when cut. It was a bit of a rushed idea and I’ll come up with something better next time. I also definitely need to get a smaller parting tool. The one I used is a 3/16”x1/2” wide and burned the wood a little when cutting. I tried to modify it after cutting the outer ring and it seemed to work better but I think a smaller cutting tip would be ideal. Maybe a 1/8 inch tool would work better. Thank you to my friend Matt for welding me up that stainless steel tool rest for making the angled cuts. It might not be a pretty weld but it did exactly what I needed it to do. Thanks for watching, I hope you have a great day!
Thank you to @thepapa1947 for all the inspirational and instructional videos. His
Chaos bowl instructional video can be found here.
• Wood Turning Planned C...
And his channel
/ @thepapa1947
Product links
Affiliate links are used when possible and I may receive a small commision
Simple woodturning tools
www.simplewoodturningtools.com?bg_ref=gkr80FMJN5
Acrylic resin simple start turner and hollower
www.simplewoodturningtools.co...
Acrylic resin simple start roughing tool
www.simplewoodturningtools.co...
Acrylic resin simple scraper
www.simplewoodturningtools.co...
Simple hollowing system with laser kit
www.simplewoodturningtools.co...
Gloss lacquer spray-amzn.to/3VJUZ0D (amazon)
Yorkshire original abrasive paste- amzn.to/3VpJVWf (amazon)
Yorkshire microfine abrasive paste- amzn.to/3Vr3Aot (amazon)
#woodturning #woodworking #diy
Music courtesy of epidemic sound

[@BigJohnM]

I was wrong. I told my wife that this video was clickbait and that you can't turn a bowl from a thin flat board. I was wrong, great video!

[@squareandlevel]

Sorry you had to admit you were wrong to the wife. I hate when that happens. Haha. Seems to happen when I’m right too tho…. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a wonderful day. Scott

[@Gnomeshoes91]

I get such a positive emotional charge out of seeing clever woodworking tricks like this. What a neat (and material efficient) way to make such a beautiful bowl!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a wonderful day Scott

[@user-py8ne6fy6r]

What a fantastic way to prepare a blank. I didn't expect the pattern to line up so well when stacking the rings.

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks for watching, hope you have a great day!

[@nickyt3269]

I watch A LOT of woodworking videos. this is the first time ive seen something like this. really clever! love to see it brother.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Appreciate the kind words. I hope you have a great day! Scott

[@ls901]

Already knew this technique and it's amazing, just as the end result. The pattern is beautiful. The red wood just pop's like crazy. Congratulations.

[@johnbuerger6579]

Really cool. The combination of color and the nice random curves makes for a pleasing result. I think I will try that. Thank you.

[@erin4714]

I absolutely Love this!!! Such beautiful wood and a Great method! So much less waste of wood that a regularly turned bowl. Just fantastic!!!!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@WyrmasterLarkspur]

Wow! I'm still not entirely convinced you didnt use any magic when making this bowl. I'm astonished at how well it turned out, given how skeptical I was at the outset. Beautiful work!

[@squareandlevel]

I promise no magic wands were used in this video. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a wonderful day. Scott

[@Jason-lg1iv]

Very impressive! I love how you get a lot less waste out of that method.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you!

[@michaelriley1100]

Nice work, Scott! I was thoroughly mesmerized the whole time.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you! Hope you have a great day!

[@menkulinanaldebaran7509]

Fantastic handworking and idea. Thanks very much for presenting it in this video.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you for watching and leaving a kind comment. I hope you have a great day!

[@blackwolfecc]

Absolutely beautiful, and tied together with some soothing tones. Perfect combination, congrats on such a stunning piece!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@jeremyfmoses]

Fantastically clever, and great execution!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@georgecarstens9644]

For your first piece, INCREDIBLE! Really enjoy your work and with fans like Mike Holten and the Papa himself, your work hasn't gone unnoticed. Have a piece of mesquite set aside for the same project. Well done, my friend

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Hope you have a great day Scott

[@MikeHolton]

Absolutely beautiful Scott! Compulsive viewing, I could not take my eyes off the screen, all the best, Mike

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks Mike! Have a good one!

[@rogerazevedo4094]

taking woodturning to another level, art. I like it. BTW absolutely, stunning music

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Really Appreciate the kind words. I hope you have a wonderful day!

[@Lou.B]

I watched it happen, but I can't believe it!

[@jimrosson6702]

That’s absolutely amazing it turned out amazing I also lost the blank and how you made it. Keep up the great work

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks so much 😊

[@automaticprojects]

Wow. Beautiful project

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you! 😊

[@darreno9874]

Beautiful work. God bless you

[@raydriver7300]

Nice job. Thank you for sharing. Have a lovely evening 🌞

[@mikemurphy2764]

Stunning!

[@juanitajohnson586]

That was awesome watching you make that bowl! Also, the musics not bad either. Good work!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@JMS-2111]

I like the efficient use of material, the design and the finished product. Great work.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@Mxbrnghfr]

Your Video style is awesome! Love it

[@burntsider8457]

Impressive craftsmanship.

[@drevjuk]

Интересная техника! Обязательно сделаю подобное. Удачи в работе и спасибо за видео!

[@naamahnewth5328]

This is really awesome! So many cool tips a newer wood turner can pick up and this is a great method I can teach to my kids who are learning the craft.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much. There is a link in the description to a step by step tutorial by the original creator of this piece if you would like a more in depth explanation of the process. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a wonderful day. Scott

[@barbannco]

absolutely beautiful.....brilliant.....I love it. ❤

[@jackstrange186]

Is it wrong that seeing the flat board makes me think of bacon?

[@lakeshjasarevic4955]

Absolutely not! I love the way you think. 🧠 🥓

[@MrCDAJR]

Depends if you like animals

[@lakeshjasarevic4955]

@@MrCDAJR I love animals! Even the ones I eat.😉

[@joelephroni7827]

It’s never wrong to think of bacon 🥓

[@squareandlevel]

I had a few friends tell me the same thing! Thanks for watching, hope you have a great day! Scott

[@tompuskar4426]

Great video and project. I'm sure Gary would be proud!

[@squareandlevel]

I hope so! Thanks for watching. Have a great day!

[@ElderCristhian]

Very good job! 😃👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you! 😃

[@starhawke380]

That looks gorgeous, and I would love to try something like that, but you had to use 3 things I dont have in my shop... Band Saw, Planer, and wood glue... Other than that, I think Ive got it!

[@jennydrumm7223]

Fantastic! I'm glad I ran across your channel earlier today.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much Jenny. I’m glad you found it too! lol. I hope you have a wonderful day Scott

[@edmorse3529]

Absolutely beautiful

[@mikehammer6230]

That is beautiful, and love the music.

[@mattparsley4004]

Amazing. I have never seen this technique on a lathe before.

[@brianknowles7130]

Great vid. Never seen it done like this before. Credit to you. thks

[@edithedith4942]

Stunning!🥰

[@MitchyLou1]

Insanely clever!!

[@wooddavid8293]

OK now, that is pretty effing clever, impressive and beautiful!!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@markb5441]

Beautifully done!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@andreasmeerkamp8627]

Impressive work

[@barbfilion5646]

That is gorgeous, great wood to show off. I love it

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@chicobicalho5621]

Very impressed by the trust in the hot glue. I would have never done it, but, l just learned something new.

[@squareandlevel]

I felt the same before trying it. It actually worked very well. Just make sure to use plenty. Thanks for watching. Hope you have a great day! Scott

[@scottfonner]

Lot of fun to watch and to turn, well done!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you sir. Have a great day!

[@LinChio]

amazing skills. one of the most satisfying videos I've seen in recent times. for the technique, the attention to detail and the planning! 10 out of 10! I subscribed to the channel!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! I hope you have a wonderful day!

[@vwjon]

This guy earned a sub with this one. First time seeing the channel. The skill, technique... amazing. The music is good too which is always a plus

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Much appreciated. Hope you have a great day!!

[@JustinMurray170fin]

Same here!

[@qapla]

That was a really nice video from beginning to end. Good pattern well designed and carefully glued. The bowl looks great! I also really enjoyed your selection of music!!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Hope you have a great day!

[@John_Daw]

Good idea and your job!

[@ericmesser1]

Stunning…….well done

[@andrewh3730]

Very interesting! I’ve never seen one made this way. I love the wood chosen and the pattern made. I also love the music you used. Thanks for sharing.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much! Hope you have a great day! Scott

[@auntkaren12]

amazing skills. thank you for sharing

[@GlennMartinPhotography]

Beautiful piece, Scott. Makes me wish I had been more adventurous with my bandsaw and lathe back in the day.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you Glenn. And thanks for helping out with the new camera. I really appreciate your help. I’ll get it figured out eventually. Have a great day!

[@Nick-B78]

Beautiful

[@billstewart1653]

I used a similar method to make a large bowl, 16” diameter, with Poplar and Padauk. It was fine until I Started putting on the oil finish, and the Padauk bled so bad into the Poplar that it liked like raw salmon. Learning experience. I bought some African Blackwood and tested it first for the bleed…..ended up pairing it with Purpleheart - turned out fantastic!

[@bradgregory2470]

What did you use to keep the parting tool straight on the angle cut? I've tried to find a commercial version of something that is shown in the video but haven't had any luck.

[@billstewart1653]

@@bradgregory2470 I actually made two identical platters and cut cylindrical rings from each to stack up for the bowl construction. I am left with one 13” disk that I do make angled cuts into with a 1/16” parting tool for a different type of stack-up bowl. I fitted a 2 x 2 block onto my tool rest and cut various angles into it to steady my parting tool for 90, 45, 52 and 60 degree cuts.

[@spiketro]

Amazing!

[@beatrixg.1467]

You did a great Job, and the music fits Perfect, thanks for this Video

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@jasonsiler8300]

Very clever way to cust those angles, but they have an attachment called “Ringmaster” that does this too. I’ve got one and it works great but expensive little gizmo. Awesome board to bowl!

[@seandevine3695]

Flat bottomed bowl, you make the rockin’ world go round

[@fredstein5429]

[@doreenwatson-read]

very clever and it turned out so beautiful. Kinda reminded me of the American flag waving in the wind. I would love to see you do it again with a red wood white wood and a blue resin piece. great for 4th of July

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you! 😊

[@ChessTurner]

Perfect job, thank you so much for great video

[@squareandlevel]

So nice of you! Thanks for watching.

[@1202jazzman]

Beautiful work.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much!

[@captmatt7]

Balaize....! Magnifique 😮

[@sturdyboneswoodworking]

Incredible work, Scott! Such a great method! I had no idea how you were going to turn that board into a bowl. Turned out beautifully and excellent choice on that tiger maple. Well done!

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks Cam! Appreciated as always. Have a great day my friend!

[@Sebastopolmark]

VERY well done! !! !!!

[@squareandlevel]

Many thanks!!

[@AllenOxendine]

Beautiful piece and interesting process. I’ve only attempted small projects. Full View and Like 👍

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much

[@millsinaz4220]

I saw this awhile ago on ThePapa1947 and wondered if I would dare try it. Now that I see you have executed the technique I will have to give it a go. Great job, it is beautiful.

[@squareandlevel]

Go for it! Thanks for watching, hope you have a great day!

[@ThePapa1947]

Yes it is very easy to do.

[@nicktodoroff7836]

Like some of your other viewers, I too was transfixed watching this. Truly amazing Scott!

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks Nick. Hope all is well. Have a great day sir!

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Good work.

[@teresaferia4047]

Excelente trabajo, eres un artista, muchas felicidades

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you!

[@kevindcreates]

man, you could have stoped at a beautiful cutting board, but no, you made an awesome dish :D great work

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Hope you have a great day! Scott

[@ralfschmitt2341]

Bravo, a true piece of art and masterclass craftmanship.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much. Hope you have a great day!

[@foxtonstreet]

Even though I watched the whole thing I still don't understand how you did that,! Very clever. And watch your thumbs near that bandsaw blade!

[@squareandlevel]

Will do. Thanks for watching. Hope you have a great day!

[@ThePapa1947]

Nice to see this being done by others. Looks great.

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much sir. And thank you for all your inspirational and instructional videos. I hope you have an excellent day.

[@ThePapa1947]

@@squareandlevel thanks. I love seeing my ideas used. Have you made my vortex sled?

[@squareandlevel]

@@ThePapa1947I have not. I did watch the video and it looked very interesting. I’m still relatively new to woodturning and am having a blast with all of the possibilities. I just made a wedgie sled and a segment press today. I think I will try my luck on a segmented piece very soon. Thanks again sir.

[@ThePapa1947]

@@squareandlevel very cool I hope to see more great looking pieces from you. Gary

[@dougdeeper2537]

Very nice! Impressive!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you!

[@jamiemacdonald436]

Your video thumbnail worked. Here I am.

[@kennylakits4093]

Great work, I found it interesting you used Yorkshire grit after applying the finish. I will have to try that today and see the results. Well Done.

[@squareandlevel]

I’m not a huge fan of using lacquer as a finish, but the Yorkshire grit worked very well as a polishing compound. Hope it works well for you as well. Have a good day! Scott

[@simongroom974]

Genius!!!!!

[@stlwoodworking]

That is sick brother!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you sir!

[@FRBPturning]

Nice work. I also saw this for the first time on @thepapa1947 channel and want to try it out but I need to get/make a jig to hold the parting tool. I just finished making a bunch of jigs to do my first segmented bowl so this will have to wait a bit. Hopefully my first effort can be as successful as yours!

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you! I’m actually making some new jigs at this very moment. This was the easiest thing I’ve made so far. Besides the tool rest it’s very straight forward. Definitely want to try out some different patterns in the future. Thanks for the comment. I hope you have a great day!

[@user-bb6es3os4n]

Какой молодец, молча, не тараторя всякие глупости на каком-то нелепом диалекте, но под классную музыку, сотворил такую красоту.

[@KB-lj4vk]

Pretty cool😊

[@Marscandy1]

All right, I admit, this was really cool.

[@-HighTide]

Man I was at just the right place with the right amount of THC to float right through this video thanks a lot man. It's a beautiful Bowl

[@squareandlevel]

Glad you liked it!

[@user-dy4ki3xb4y]

Yes sir. This is wild. Soo wild

[@gregmize01]

Lerda Mercy !!!!

[@scotter_dotter]

Wow!

[@josephscislowicz7700]

Enjoyed the video, I need to make a fixture like you have to guide the parting tool. Well done! The music was spot on for the video! You the musician?

[@squareandlevel]

Thank you very much. And no, definitely not me making the music. That talent skip me in my family. Thank you for watching. I hope you have a great day! Scott

[@theodorocaliari2343]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@hbwoodturning17]

That has become a beautiful bowl, and you have started with elaborated glue up, from which you have turned the rings. I saw that you use a special tool rest to make the correct angle for the rings. Did you make it yourself?

[@squareandlevel]

Thanks! I did make the tool rest. Well…. My neighbor welded it for me. It actually worked perfectly for my needs.

[@kerrysaunders9996]

Incredible. I have two questions if I may. When you were piecing it together, did you sand the cuts that you made with the bandsaw? Also, what angle did you use with that jig that you made?

[@squareandlevel]

I did not sand any of the pieces before the glue up and I set the tool rest at 45 degrees for first ring. Then 50 and 55 degrees for remaining rings to try to obtain more of a curve to the bowl. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a great day! Scott

[@rustysawblade2591]

The only thing I dislike about turning, is the amount of waste involved in nearly every project. Even when you glue up offcuts, you still end up with like 60% of what you started with, going into the dust collector. This has to be one of THE most efficient uses of wood ive ever seen on a lathe, and the results are gorgeous! I think I need to get me one of those tool rests you're using to hold your parting tool. Could you tell me what I need to search for to find one, please? Thanks.

[@squareandlevel]

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the tool rest. I had that piece of 1” stainless bar stock laying in the scrap metal bucket for years now. My neighbor was kind enough to cut it and weld it for me. Then I just cut a groove in it with an angle grinder the same thickness as my parting tool. It’s far from a “precision” built tool, but did exactly what I needed it to do. I believe the video I linked in the description has step by step instructions of how he made his. I went a different route but basically accomplished the same thing. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Thanks for watching, hope you have a great day! Scott

[@Shotter]

Great work! What is that tool at 10:23? Never seen one like it before.

[@squareandlevel]

That was my simple woodturning tools simple scraper with a negative rake carbide insert. It really works great. There is an affiliate link in the description for their website and that tool specifically if you would like to check them out. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a great day! Scott

[@user-pb8wy6yf1z]

Супер!

[@baerbelercole3739]

Heartstopping stuff! Chewed my nails to the quick worrying he might go too deep and ruin the work of art

[@squareandlevel]

I’ve ruined a few. It’s only a piece of wood and there is no better way to learn than by making mistakes. I’m glad this one worked out. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a wonderful day. Scott

[@mdaley3102]

Yup that’s wild. I may like this style better than segmented. I’ll bet you can get even more creative and cut the glued up flat pieces at another angle to create something even more wild. Hmmmm, maybe a future video.

[@squareandlevel]

Absolutely! This was my first try at this and I can definitely see some interesting possibilities. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a great day!

[@TomBodet556]

Ok, what was with CA gluing the 2 strips across the back? They seem to disappear once the parting started.

[@squareandlevel]

That was my failed attempt at keeping the first large ring from bouncing around on bed. The two strips flew off as soon as I cut thru the ring. I’ll figure out something better next time. Thanks for watching. Hope you have a great day!

[@inspectr1949]

@@squareandlevel I'm working on a solution for that too, perhaps a plywood backer board affixed to the turning blank with strips of double faced tape so all the rings can be kept in place without stoping the lathe and moving each individual one as they are cut?

[@squareandlevel]

@@inspectr1949 that may work. I’d suggest putting a small spacer in close to the center of the “bowl” to bump the plywood backer away from the backside of the rings so it is not touched by the parting tool. I think I am going to go a different direction altogether. I’m thinking of attaching a post to the bed somehow on the opposite side of the cut that will run up slightly behind the board. This would be reusable and could save a little blank prep time and wasted materials. I hope your idea works out well. Have a great day! Scott

[@josepaulo710]

Man 🎉🇵🇹

[@raymondo162]

i likee