Woodturning: Turning a Cherry Burl Bowl - The “Just a Bowl” Bowl
Woodturning: Turning a Cherry Burl Bowl - The “Just a Bowl” Bowl
Since my last project (Ironwood Insanity - The Joker Bowl”) was a pretty complex turn, I vowed my next project would “just a bowl” - in this case, “just an absolutely amazing bowl with stunning grain” 😂
In any case, I’m always nervous about cutting burls, so I searched for some videos on the decision-making process for cutting burls into turning stock. One of the best I found was by Jim Sprague of @SpragueWoodturning and I literally watched it 4 or 5 times. Because…cherry burl! The cherry burl I am working with mostly encapsulated one of 2 branches and I was able to slice the other branch off and then split the burl roughly in half, leaving the pith on the side that the burl didn’t completely encase the branch. I was able to core the larger and most round side of the burl into 3 cherry burl bowls, though the smallest really is a baby bowl that I may use as the lid for a box or something because the grain is just too spectacular to turn into shavings. Because cherry burl!
I used the Woodcut Bowl Saver coring system and could not be more pleased with the results. Here’s a link to the video I did the first time I used the coring system Woodturning: Turning The Big Green Monster into 3 Bowls using Woodcut’s Bowlsaver Bowl Coring System • Woodturning: Turning T...
I finished the piece with Brad’s Tung Wax, which you can purchase here at his Etsy shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/BradsWorkbe...
This channel has what so many woodworking channels are missing. Quality narration.
Thank you Bryan, I appreciate your feedback and am glad you are enjoying the channel 😁
I'm 62.... I started woodturning at 12 years old picking suitable pcs from the firewood ple. Then I'd drive around after east coast hurricanes and fetch those burls that I always wanted but hand no access to.Thank you hurricanes. Cherry Burl was always my favorite since it was my first. You NEVER forget your first. I still have that 50 yr old cherry burl bowl. I gifted quite a few over the years . But not that one . I made a 4 pc cherry burl plate set with goblets. My all time favorite. I sold that one for cheap. This is my first time watching you. As a old wood spinner I am very impressed with your work. ✌Peace
Thanks so much! Cherry burl is definitely one of my favorites too 😁
@@LisaRamlowThe sweet smell of cherry burl spinning is incredible.
I’m curious about differences between burled wood and stump wood. Pro’s and cons. Beautiful grain differences. Work-a-ability. Anything I might need to know.
@@aishashaw5885 Burl wood has tighter curls and inclusions of bark and sometimes softer materials and can be found in larger centralized ball-like masses. Stump wood has more flowing grain variations and less centralized forms... and often inclusions of rocks.
Beautiful! Very inspiring...
It warms my heart 💜 when I see another woman Carpenter/Woodworker. You made my day!!! Oh and that’s a incredible chunk of wood.
Thank you, it’s hard to go wrong with cherry burl! 😁
Cool! Thanks for telling what you are doing and not just creating pretty, mysterious visuals. 🙂
No mystery here - imma show you guys all my boo-boos and then tell you about them! 😂
Very nicely done! I just found your channel today, and I’m impressed. You do a fine job with the turning as well as the narration. You’re now on my short list of KZhead favorites.
Hi Brad, welcome! It took me a while to sort out the format for my videos but the viewers, both woodworkers and non-woodworkers, overwhelmingly preferred the voice over style so that’s how it’ll stay. 😁
awesome. I have a similar cherry burl sitting in my shop (for almost 3 years now) waiting for the courage to turn it. Your video inspires me.
Cherry burl is one of my favorites for sure 👍
Oh that's pure genius. Take a 1/2 of a beautiful cherry burl and turn it into something that everyone needs, a bowl with a hole in it.
Dude
Wow, absolutly incredible craftsmanship!
Thank you, I appreciate that!
Thank you very much for the excellent commentary and your insights while turning this beautyful piece!
Thanks so much!
I totally agree with leaving the 'Step Cuts' while carving out the outside profile. Hearing that was like a lightbulb moment lol. That is great advice. That has become a method I'm now using thanks to hearing that! Thank you and keep cranking out these tutorials!! Cheers!
I’m glad you found it helpful 😁
Idt I could ever make anything that thin without Hulk smashing through it. Beautiful bowl.
Thank you! I tend to go too thin too frequently but it worked out ok here - phew!
Like the coreing system. Bowl is beautiful ✌💪
Me too! I like the OneWay system too and if I were going to do bigger blanks I would probably have gone with that, but this one should do me for quite a while 😁
Wow. This is a beautiful bowl. Love the grain and color. Perfect size. Can’t wait to see the others. Thank You.
Thanks Helen! I got 3 decent sized bowls and 2 baby bowls from this burl and they are all as pretty as this one 😁
I’m so happy to see a woman doing this. I would love to try it but have no place to put anything. Thank you for explaining as you go. I think anyone interested could learn from you 🕊
Thank you, I appreciate that 😁
I’m really amazed that the tool that took the inside out in one piece. Now you have a whole Nother piece of wood to use in other projects later down the road rather than a ton of chips on the floor.
Indeed! The coring systems are not cheap I'm so glad I bought one, especially when working with burls 👍
First lathe work I have seen on KZhead that didn't involve resin ... just beautiful wood. Thank you. You are a true craftsperson.
Thanks so much! I do use resin occasionally and like the look of the hybrid pieces but appreciate the beauty of the natural wood 👍
Resin is the current fad or trend. In time, something new will come along. I agree, it's nice to see someone just "turn a bowl."
Beautiful work! Glad to see someone turning thin bowls. Too many on KZhead are afraid to go thin and end up with these thick, chunky, heavy bowls.
Thanks! I have a tendency to take that a little too far sometimes and end up with a funnel 😂
A superbly presented video, thankyou. Great, informative and intelligent commentary, a real pleasure to watch and listen...no ego just great content, congratulations 😊
Thank you Murray, I really appreciate that 😁
Good afternoon to you. I must thank you for a very good and encouraging video, from a retired person just starting wood turning.
Hi Dennis! Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😁
@@LisaRamlow Good morning from Jersey - UK (Not New Jersey) I must say that, the more I am learn about wood, proves that I know nothing. I am enjoying videos like the one you provided, plus others on tips and techniques it gives me pleasure in learning. regards. Denis Lawrence.
I plan on doing wood turning in my retirement...maybe this year. My father showed me 30 years ago. These videos are educational and inspiring. Thank you.
It’s totally addictive, and I’m glad you are enjoying the channel 😁
Bravo ! You really are the best out there in explaining things step by step ! Awesome job !
Thank you Robert, I appreciate that 😁
Great looking bowl. All the different grain and the natural edge are fantastic. The beauty has really came out of that piece of burl. You do extremely good work. Have a great week.
Thanks Joey! I’m editing the video for other half of this burl as we speak. Hoping for have it up tomorrow or Friday 😁
Adjust cut some cherry burls today and I had no idea how to process them. Now I do. Thank you for the great video.
Thank you, I’m glad you found it helpful 😊
It was a happy accident today when I found your channel. I really enjoy watching woodworking, but your great narration makes it top notch. Your work is beautiful!! Thank you!!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Lisa, the cherry burl bowl is a beautiful illustration of the woodturner's art and also of the woodturner's eye. The figure in the finished piece is absolutely stunning. I'm a new subscriber to your channel, having watched about a half dozen of your videos so far, and I feel very fortunate to have "found" your channel. For a few years I've subscribed to Andy Phillip's woodturning channel, and thoroughly enjoy it, but in my estimation, you've one-upped him. Andy's videos are completely voiceless, and you provide very helpful and interesting narration, guiding us viewers through your projects. That is greatly appreciated!
Thank you Noah, I really appreciate that. I’m a big Andy Phillip fan myself. When I first started my channel I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it and who my audience would be - woodworkers or turners or people just interested in watching the process. As I got a better handle on that (and better editing software 😂) I did a bunch with music and no voice over, but it became clear that the majority of my viewers want the commentary, whether they are woodworkers or not, so that is how the format will stay. Just giving you a heads up that you may stumble on some of videos in that format. Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to leave me such a nice comment 😊
ONE WORD FABULOUS KEEP THE WOOD CHIPS FLYING I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND YOUR WOOD TURNING KEEP UP THE AWESOME WOOD TURNING AND I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE TILL THE NEXT VIDEO TTYL BY FOR NOW SWEETIE
Thanks Curtis!
Lovely bowl, Lisa! So enjoy you sharing your thought processes with us as you work through the turning. Thanks!
Thanks Greg, I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. It took a while to sort out the format to use and I was doing just background music for a while but after some polling it turned out that even people who will never step in front of a lathe liked to know what I was doing and why, so this is how we do it 😁
You're right about cherry grain 'tis a thing of beauty!
Hard to go wrong there! 😁
I absolutely loved watching you work. You explain everything while working , don’t stop turning to tell what you’re doing.
Thanks Jim! Sometimes I do some talking while I'm turning, just depends on the project and how chatty I'm feeling 🤣
Strength, skill and artistry. Brava!
Thanks Claude!
Burl always looks fabulous. Very nice piece.
Thanks Stan! Cherry burl is definitely one of my favorites!
you are right, that cherry burl looks VERY nice!! thanks for the video
Thanks Nathan! Not much better than cherry burl 😁
I really enjoyed this video. To use a coring tool ,I have not seen before. It saves so much material that you can use for another purpose. About 50 years ago,my wood shop teacher, Mr. Clock tried a process he read about taking a 12x12 board and marking concentric circles,.He cut the board in half, then cut the half circles on an angle using a band saw. He overlapped glueing,then turned the bowl .Saved alot of material, made a nice bowl. Cheers, RF
Thank you! I’ve seen Gary @ThePapa1947 make bowls from a single piece of wood like that 👍
I love the simplistic beauty of your "Just a bowl". Good job and thanks for sharing.
Thank you 😁
HEY SWEETIE YOU DONE A AWESOME JOB TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE LOVE YOUR VIDEOS KEEP THE WOOD CHIPS FLYING TTYL LOVE YOU
Thanks for watching Curtis 😁
Absolutely fabulous 👏👏👏👏👏💕🇬🇧
Thanks so much!
That is beyond gorgeous. Cherry is my favorite wood. Good luck. I wish it were mine.
I love cherry too!
First time viewer and really enjoyed the vid. Partcularly liked to hear you talking through your process and decision making.
Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😃
WOW! That piece is outstanding! Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Thanks for watching Linda, and for taking the time to leave me a message, I really appreciate it 😁
One of the best instructional videos I seen in the past two years. Thank you!
Thank you Joseph, I appreciate that 😁
What a delightful bowl! A joy to watch and listen to you at work - thank you.
Thanks Tim, I appreciate that 😁
I really love how descriptive your videos are. I am relatively new to wood turning and it really helps that you give explanation on things. Thanks and have a good day.
Hi Jeremy! I’m so glad you’re finding the channel helpful. I just published another cherry burl video earlier today so check that one out too!
Ok, I just subbed. You remind me of some great and tough women I know/knew. Some where mothers and some could drive large equipment far better than I. All were influences. I appreciate them and the men who partnered with them. I appreciate you and your work ethic.
I have overhead crane and forklift licenses, expired now but still 😁 I’m taking this as a huge compliment and extend a warm welcome to the channel 😁
WOW! LOOK AT THAT BURL! You did a great job on this bowl, its beautiful! Thanks, Lisa!
Thanks so much!
Great work and thank you for using the bowl coring tool. So many people turn great burl material into sawdust.
Well coring systems are quite expensive and it took me a while to save up for one but they are amazing tools and I sure am glad I was able to buy one!
What a hard decision, leave the bark on or discover this beautiful grain! Another lovely job Lisa, thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks John! The bark was starting to come off in a few places so that added to my decision of orientation method. But I have another cherry burl I need to pick up from another friend and I really want to do a live edge hollow form 😁
Absolutely stunning Cherry Burl is gorgeous. Great job Lisa thank you for sharing
Thank you Garry, it is a beauty isn’t it!? Cherry burl rarely disappoints 😁
Lisa loved your video you have such good skill the bowls turned out great Regards Steve UK London
Thanks Steve!
Thanks! This bowl is really lovely! The colours, of the url wood, are so very varied! Decent sized bowl, too! Well done!
Thank you Stephanie!
This manages to be both very pleasant to watch and very educational at the same time! Well done, Thank You!
Excellent, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, I appreciate it 😊
Just found your channel and love the burl bowl. I appreciate your narrative and explanations, especially coming from a female woodworker/turner. I don't see many of us these days. I haven't turned in several years now after a move across country. But you sure make me itch to try again. Thanks for the inspiration, your narrative and info about the coring system.
Hi Joyce! I'm just coming off shoulder surgery so wasn't able to get into the shop for 8 weeks and that was too damn long! I've been a woodworker for 20+ years and always wanted to turn but was afraid of it for some reason. I broke my ankle in January 2019 and was on my butt for 3 months so o started watching KZhead videos and learned as much as I could. Bought a Delta midi lathe and as soon as I could stand I was spinning wood. A friend talked me into starting my own channel and after some time sorting out the format for the videos etc here we are!Totally hooked and upgraded to the Laguna 1836 in 2020 so I should be good for a while 😃 Hope you get back to the lathe soon!
Nicely done Lisa. I’m happy that you got a core out of it and have that to turn yet. Those bonus pieces are great to have. Beautiful burl bowl.
Thanks Doug, me too! I got 3 decent sized bowls and 2 baby bowls from this burl and I think that’s about the best I could’ve done with it 😁
Thank you for this video. I have a large cherry burl that I'm dying to turn but have been really nervous about messing it up. I found this video while researching how to process a burl. Your approach to that task was helpful, but I really enjoyed watching how you approached the turning of the bowl as well. Beautiful work.
I'm glad you found it helpful! Make your best plan and go for it - it'll be beautiful no matter what!
I love watching what you do and seeing the total transition of a piece of wood into an art piece. Thanks!!
Thank you Michael, I appreciate it 😁
Lisa...Many years ago I worked at a furniture factory and they had 10+ lathes....I loved watching them work...Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
That's really nice Lisa. All credit to you. I'm quite jealous!
Thank you! 😁
Me encanta ver una mujer, carpintera o Tornera, un trabajo hermoso, te felicito!!!!!👏👏👏💖💖💖🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷
Thank you so much 😁
I really like your narrative while you're doing the work! Awesome video!
Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😁
This is a beautiful piece, and so much enjoyment while watching you work with it.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
I'm new to wood turning. I have a lathe made in a local machine shop. I realized that the initial drilling of the hole of the tail stock to go into makes it soo much more steady and safe.
Nice!
Really enjoyed your explanations for each step of the process.
Thanks Cliff - Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so so much Lisa!!! So so so much more detail than anyone else is willing to say out loud for us woodworkers. That hint made the spinning leap yet-
I’m glad you found it useful Joshy 😁
ESCAPE 🤪 Yep that’s what i do when i watch your vids and love that burl 🥰👍🏼🇨🇦
“DORY YOU CAN READ!?!?” 😂😂😂
@@LisaRamlow yep 😂🤣😜
That piece turned out so beautifully. Burl is my favorite and cherry Burl knocks it out of of the park. Nice work.
Agree 💯 cherry burl is just spectacular
Excellent video and brilliant commentary thanks for sharing 👍🏴 loved the finished article.
Thank you - I’m glad you enjoyed it 😁
Love this bowl. Amazing wood grain!!! Great job!!
Thanks Bruce!
Great video. I love burls, they always have such amazing grain patterns.
Agreed-can’t go wrong with cherry burl!
Been many years since I’ve done any wood turning, I’m intreauged over the beauty of “the burl” well done 👍
Thank you!
Well done, Lisa!
Thank you Crystal! It’s the Cherry Bomb’s bowl brothers! 😂
Wow! I too just found your channel. I wish now, seeing yours and other wood turners doing marvelous pieces, that I would have tried this. This wood you made is fantastic. Keep it going for us that can only dream from ‘your’ talents! Thanks!!
Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel 😁
you did a wonderful job. I have a large cherry burl and this video helped me decide how to cut in. Thanks
Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful 😊
Gorgeous bowl Lisa! Excellent job!!
Thanks! 😁
Hello Lisa. I just watched your you tube video of you making & repairing a poplar bowl made out of your firewood pile. I love the fact that you repaired it. It turned out beautifully. I am a life long wood worker: who never turned a bowl. I took my inspiration from Phil Anderson. I have been making bowls about 1 year ago. Since then I have made a quite a few natural edge bowls.( all with flaws of my making). I have only attempted two regular bowl. I just recently stated watching your show. I love your show. You do not shy away from your mistakes. You repaired that poplar bowl with the elm patch. It is a beautiful bowel! I also like your running naratives. They are a great help to beginners like myself. So many bowl makers give no narrative. If they do it is just to show their expertize and talent. I am very sure they have made ugly mistakes. They also use exotic & expensive wood. I go into my friends 30 acre wood lot. I get great oak, sycamore, hedge, walnut and other woods native to Kansas, free. He gets help cutting fiire wood. Thanks Lisa. I have just suscribed to your channel.
Hi Donald! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the channel 😁
Thank you for telling us and explaining what and why you are doing to make this georgous bowl
Hi Debbie, thank you for watching 😁
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you Norm 😁
Turned out beautiful!
Thanks Dianne!
Thanks for talking it though. Great work from you. Kind regards, Dave, Beachmere , Queensland, Australia
Thanks for watching!
Beautiful piece thanks for sharing your work!
Thank you!
I like the bowl. It came out great. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Lawerence!
Fantastic! I really like it that you cut to real speed every now and then, in between the sped up stuff. Really relaxing and informative commentary too and, of course, a beautiful finished bowl. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel! 😁
Looks wonderful. Thank you for the lesson.
Thanks for watching 😁
Wow! What a work of art.
Thanks Tony, I appreciate it 😁
Gorgeous! Looking forward to see you finish the small bowl. A real bonus!
Thanks Linda! I’m quite pleased with all the stuff I was able to get out of this one burl!
That is definitely a beautiful bowl. WOW great job!
Thank you very much!
Beautiful work. I really appreciate that you give insight into how you choose to divide the piece and how to deal with it being wet.
Thanks for watching - I’m glad you enjoyed it!
That burl is awesome. Great work
Thank you!
That Burl Bowl came out looking great👍
Thank you! Cheers!
That’s a wonderful bowl. The beauty of the wood just shines through and shows the life of the wood too. Beautiful!
Thank you Richard!
I like your finishing process . I'm gonna try that today. Very nice work !.
Thank you!
I learned some new techniques and you earned a new subscriber! Excellent work with this piece! Can't wait to watch your other content!
I’m so glad, and welcome to the channel!
Awesome bowl Lisa, that burl is a beauty and you did a great job of turning it..........well done and thanks! Cheers Al
Thank you Al! I am quite pleased with the whole process. I was able to get 3 decent sized bowls and 2 baby bowls from this burl and they are all as pretty as this first one! 😁
Absolutely beautiful. Nice work!
Thank you very much!
Wow, that burl is amazing! Great job Lisa!
Thanks John! Cherry burl is the bomb! 😁
Really enjoy your video,most turning videos are silent,but your voice over explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it added a greater appreciation to me for your craft. Thank you.
Thanks for letting me know, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the commentary. I just uploaded a new cherry burl project, you can check it out here: kzhead.info/sun/frB6ZtR5i6isdmg/bejne.html Thanks for watching!
Well done,,beautiful bowl can't wait to,see the core.
I managed to get quite a few pieces from this burl 👍
Lisa, that may be one of the sweetest bowls I've seen you turn. Outstanding!
Thanks Scott! Hard to go wrong with cherry burl 😁
Beautiful! And thank you for not doing something so stupid as filling the voids with purple epoxy or something equivalently as stupid with such beautiful wood !
Hi Michael! I do use epoxy on some pieces but I’m a big fan of au natural as well. I did an oak burl a while ago and it wasn’t sure it was gonna hold together so I used resin, but a deep chocolatey brown to blend more naturally.
Beautiful bowl ❤️ Great video 👏😀❤️
Thanks so much Linda, I appreciate that 😁
Excellent tutorial. Your wood turning skills are obvious. Well done. Loved your commentary. Explaining what you were doing was extremely helpful. Thank you. Enjoyed watching you work.
Thank you David, I appreciate it 😁
Thanks for your artistry and great narration. Far too many turners don't say a word.
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
@Lisa Ramlow I own 2 lathes that I picked up at auctions...burning to start using them, but have yet to get some in-person instruction. Have joined the OVWG and AAW.
Wow! Beautiful work!
Thank you Carol!