Offset Winged Bowl

This was my first try at one of these. I used Maple for the bowl, and Bark Oak for the chopsticks.

Step 1: Pick Out a Piece of Wood

The piece I used for this project is 9" x 9" x 4" The diameter can be what ever you want, but I would start with at least a 3" thick piece. This will give you enough material for the tenon, and the wings. It's important that you start with a square piece though, if it's not square the wing won't look even.

Step 2: Preparing the Wood for the Lathe

I'm using a screw drive to mount it on the lathe. Drill a hole in the center of your block of wood, the same size as the inside diameter of your screw drive. This varies, so measure the inside diameter of yours.

Step 3: Mounting It to the Lathe

Thread the piece on the screw drive, and bring up the tail stock. Don't turn something like this without the tail stock supporting it.

Step 4: Start Turning

Start by shaping the bottom of the bowl, and making a tenon to grab it in the chuck after you're done with the bottom of the bowl. Next start shaping the wings I'm using a 5/8" bowl gouge to do most of this. Start on the outside/tips, and work your way in. Take very light cuts, and use your hand on the tool rest to guide the tool. The wing should have a nice even ark this will really help out blending in the top wings.

Step 5: Marking the Top Wings

Use a felt pen to make the lower wings, and the upper wings. This is only a reference line, you don't need to follow them exactly.

Step 6: Cutting the Upper Wings

I started with a spindle gouge to cut the top of the lower wings, and the bottom of the top wings. Make sure you don't go in to far, or the wings will overlap. If the wings overlap it will be very hard to get a nice even ark. I finished up this process with a carbide detail tool.

Step 7: Cutting Off the Lower Wings

I'm going to cut off three of the lower wings, so only one remains on the finished bowl. I used a small flush cut saw for this. After cutting off the three wings, sand the saw marks out. I used a DA and 100 grit sand paper.

Step 8: Finish Sanding the Bottom of the Bowl

I did the final sanding on the bottom of the bowl up to 600 grit, with Howard beeswax and orange oil. I sand with wax and oil to cut down on sanding dust, and I like the satin finish it gives.

Step 9: Remount the Bowl in the Chuck

I remounted the bowl in the chuck using the tenon I made on the bottom. Again I'm using a 5/8" bowl gouge to cut the tops of the upper wings. Try and make them the same thickness as the lower wings. I used a forstner to set the depth of the bowl. This makes it easier to clean out, and lets you know how close you're getting to the bottom. I used a carbide finishing tool to cleaning out the material on the inside of the bowl.

Step 10: Cutting Off the Upper Wing

Cut off the one upper wing were you left a lower wing, again I used a flush saw to do this. Sand off all the saw marks, and blend with the lower wing.

Step 11: Sand and Finish

Sand and finish the top of the upper wings, and the inside of the bowl.

Step 12: Remount the Bowl Using a Vacuum Chuck

I remounted the bowl using a vacuum chuck to cut off the tenon, and finish sanding the bottom. Make sure you cup out the bottom a little bit to ensure the bowl sits flat. I also used the tip of a skew chisel to put in some detail on the bottom of the bowl.

Step 13: Turning the Chopsticks

I started out with a piece 1/2" x 1/2" x 9" mounted in the chuck, and supported with the tail stock. I'm using a very fine spindle gouge with a small cutting edge. When cutting small/thin pieces like this, you will get something called chatter. This is the wood vibrating when you're cutting it. After you have it round, use your fingers to support the wood. Always reach under the tool rest to do this it's much safer. Sand, and finish.

Step 14: Cutting Groves in the Top of the Bowl to Rest the Chopsticks

I wanted the chopsticks to have a place to rest, so I sanded groves in the rim of the bowl. I used a 1/4" dowel with a piece of 120 grit sandpaper wrapped around it to do this.

Step 15: Offset Winged Rice Bowl, and Chopsticks.

This was my first time turning one of these. I really enjoyed working through the process, and I'm happy with the finished piece.

I hope you enjoyed this too. If you have any question let me know, I'm more than happy to help.