The Basics of Wooden Bowl Design

Overview

I've enjoyed woodturning for years, but I'll never forget my first project - a bowl. It didn't make it off the lathe (my tool caught, resulting in a large crack), but it was the start of a great woodturning journey.

There is nothing quite like transforming a discarded log into a work of art. And not only are wooden bowls beautiful, they're useful, whether in your home, as a gift, or for sale.

Approaching the lathe with a design in mind is an important step in the wooden bowl turning process. Once again, the spirit of the old mantra "measure twice, cut once", applies. Consider the style and shape of piece you'd like to create before shavings are flying.

An article entitled Basic Bowl Design by Scottish turner Peter Smith was the inspriation for this guide. Smith's article brought to light the aspects of bowl design, and I'm excited to share them with you here.

I've enjoyed woodturning for years, but I'll never forget my first project - a bowl. It didn't make it off the lathe (my tool caught, resulting in a large crack), but it was the start of a great woodturning journey.

There is nothing quite like transforming a discarded log into a work of art. And not only are wooden bowls beautiful, they're useful, whether in your home, as a gift, or for sale.

Approaching the lathe with a design in mind is an important step in the wooden bowl turning process. The spirit of the old mantra "measure twice, cut once", applies here. Consider the style and shape of piece you'd like to create before shavings are flying.

An article entitled Basic Bowl Design by Scottish turner Peter Smith was the inspriation for this guide. Smith's article brought to light the aspects of bowl design, and I'm excited to share them with you here.

Lift & Heft - the hero's of bowl design

Lift is the shape of the bowl and how it rises from its supporting surface (e.g. the foot). The curvatures of the bowl along with the foot, rim and the width versus height ratio all impact lift.

Heft is the feel of the bowl, You'll notice it when you pick up your bowl. The thinness of the walls and the distribution of weight between the walls and the foot impact the heft of a bowl.  

How do you apply the concepts of lift and heft? Ask yourself-

  • To what degree will the sides of my bowl curve? (This impacts lift)
  • How wide will my bowl be? How tall? (Lift)
  • How thin will the walls be? (Heft)
  • How large and thick will my foot be? (Heft & lift)
  • What shape will my foot be? (Lift)

I know - they're simple questions! But considering them before turning on the lathe will give you a vision as you start turning. You'll be surprised the difference that makes!

If you're looking for some inspiration and examples of bowls with aesthetically pleasing lift and heft - I'd suggest a quick Google or Pinterest search. I've included a few bowls with different designs. For now, don't worry about embellishments. Focus on the shape and note how lift and heft impact the piece.

Artist: John Shrader

Artist: Andrew Pearce

Franz Josef Keilhofer

How do you apply the concepts of lift and heft? Ask yourself-

  • To what extent will the sides of my bowl be curved? (This impacts lift)
  • How wide will my bowl be? How tall? (Lift)
  • How thin will the walls be? (Heft)
  • How large and thick will my foot be? (Heft & lift)
  • What shape will my foot be? (Lift)

I know - they're simple questions! But considering them before turning on the lathe will give you a vision as you start turning. You'll be suprised the difference that makes!

If you're looking for some inspiration and examples of bowls with astheeatically pleasing lift and heft - I'd suggest a quick Google or Pinterest search. I've included a few bowls with different designs. For now, don't worry about embellishments. Focus on the shape and note how lift and heft impact the piece.

Artist: John Shrader

Artist: Andrew Pearce

Franz Josef Keilhofer

The Great Wall (of your bowl)

Regardless of the design you choose, Smith's article points out that the wall of the bowl should be curved without any flat areas. Before you pull your bowl off thel athe, hold a ruler to the profile and check for flat spots. The ruler should only touch the bowl at one very small point.

The Foot - a critical detail

As far as the foot of your bowl goes, Smith warns that there is no perfect formula. Too small, and the utility of the piece is compromised, too large and the bowl appears clunky. However, a foot about a 1/4 the diameter of the bowl is a good starting point.

Experiment with different foot sizes and shapes - you'll develop your own personal style!

And make sure you don't forget an important final step - sign your bowl! I generally use a sharpie, but if you'd like something a little more unique try a wood burning tool.

Don't Just Practice...

When it comes to bowl turning practice is key. Not every piece will feel or look just right, but every bowl is a step in the right direction. While these (cliché) words are true, I urge you: don't mindlessly practice. Take time to evaluate your bowls and recognize aspects of a piece you like and mistakes you made. Next time you turn a bowl, you'll have specific areas to improve.

To really dive into self-evaluation - cut a few bowls in half. This is a great way to get a sense of how your bowl turning can be improved and will give you a different perspective on shape and design.

So go ahead, grab that log and start turning!