Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Mar 16, 2003 03:47am | #1

   Use a template guided router and a core box bit or a bowl bit. Here's a picture of one in use on a more complex pattern.

   http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmag/133/images/template-lg.jpg

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/15/2003 8:53:47 PM ET by Uncle Dunc

1. 
   limeyzen | Mar 16, 2003 06:35pm | #6

   Hi! And thanks for your response.  Perhaps I'm slow but it isn't readily apparent to me how that jig creates a bowl shape.  Is there a site I can go to to get more info?

1. 
   UncleDunc | Mar 16, 2003 07:59pm | #9

   I think I must have misread your description. The technique I described would give you a recess with vertical sides and a radiused transition to a flat bottom. For a continuous curve bowl shape, the other respondents have offered better techniques.

2. 
   Andrew | Mar 16, 2003 06:49am | #2

   Know anyone with a CNC router? If this is for a production product that would be the only way to go, provided you want to make money.

   If this isn't going to be mass produced you could always use a fishtail gouge to carve it out. If you want to smooth it out after you could use an inshave.

   One more idea that may or may no work is to make a jig with a lazy susan bearing that would allow the work to rotate while you plunged a router bit in from above. Having an overhead router would be nice here, but it wouldn't be too hard to build a makeshift one with a plunge router.

3. 
   BrianMcG | Mar 16, 2003 09:13am | #3

   Hi,If your not adverse to using hand tools, there is an old tool called a "scorp" which is used in chairmaking to scoop out a depression in the seat. There is also a plane called a compass plane used to do the same thing. It has a convex bottom. Brian

4. 
   BrianMcG | Mar 16, 2003 09:36am | #4

   PS.. a scorp, if your not already familiar, is a curved draw knife and fairly readily available.

1. 
   limeyzen | Mar 16, 2003 06:39pm | #8

   Brian, thanks for the input.  Since this will be at the most a limited run project I may need to go the hand tool route.  Nothing wrong with that just not experienced.  BTW you wouldn't be a graduate of HCC would you?

1. 
   BrianMcG | Mar 17, 2003 07:12am | #10

   No, Didn't graduate from HCC...and now very curious. HCC?

5. 
   sailalex | Mar 16, 2003 02:46pm | #5

   Don't know about a scorp but why not a simple gouge?

6. 
   limeyzen | Mar 16, 2003 06:36pm | #7

   Hi Toby, you're correct, I meant 6" on the other hand if you've ever been to an Indonesian reis (sp?) taffel 6' would not be inappropriate!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/16/2003 11:40:52 AM ET by LIMEYZEN

7. 
   user-302616 | Mar 17, 2003 09:59am | #11

   Rijstaffel - Dutch for Rice table

   A Dutch Indonesian banquet that gives meaning to the word EXCESS!

   2 ideas -

   1. Turn the recessed part in a contrasting wood and use that as a decorative feature.

   2. Make a pendulum jig for a router. The jig should have a circular base which would then rotate in a piece of plywood with a circular hole cut out to fit the base.

   Good luck.

   Shane

8. 
   trialnut | Mar 17, 2003 01:14pm | #12

   LIMEYZEN

   Two thoughts. First, this can be done on a lathe. Mount it on a faceplate and screw some weights to the "light" side of the faceplate to fairly well balance things, then turn at a lower speed. Of course your lathe needs to have a large enough swing for this or turn it outboard.

   Second. Turn just the bowl on the lathe with a decorative edge and inset it into the other part by routing a recess, (round and flat bottomed) then glueing the bowl in. The decorative edge would hide the glueline.

   Rich

   The Professional Termite