White Oak Slab Bowl

Here is what I used to create this:

The supplies I used were:

4 White oak slabs- 8 1/2x5x2 or any wood you like.

1) Wood glue

2) Wood lathe

3) Instruction manual

4)Tool guide:

5) Ruler

6) Clamps

7) Drill with Philip drill bit

9) One inch phillip screws

10) Marker or any writing utensil

11) Food grade mineral oil- recommended

12) Sandpaper

13) Back saw

14) Orbital sander

15) Level

First, you number the wood 1 through 4 and chose what part you will be carving into and what part will be the bottom of the bowl. Then glue all 4 pieces of wood together using a generous amount of wood glue. (As shown in the image above), and clamp them down for at least 24 hours so the glue can dry. One the glue is dry you can proceed to the next step.

First place your ruler diagonally from one side to the other, then repeat onto the next. Notice where the two lines intersect, that is the center of the wood and is where the chuck should go.

Now that you have found the middle of the wood place the center of the chuck onto the center of the wood. Next grab a drill bit that is a little smaller than your one inch screw and begin drilling into the holes of the chick (Do not go past one inch into the wood).when you are done hold the chuck in place and drill the one inch screw into the holes with the chuck still on.

After doing that, the wood should be secure onto the wood and will now be ready to insert onto the wood lathe. To put it on the chuck should be twisted and locked onto the wood lathe and will be ready to turn.

Now that you have gotten the wood ready to turn. If you are inexperienced in the wood lathe make sure you watch the video above about how to use it and the tools.

Now that you know how to use the lathe tool, lightly slide the tool across the tool rest and make sure to not try to trim off too much at a time, because the wood may crack.

You are now used to turning on the wood lathe it is time to create the bowl shape. Carve the side connected to the chuck as the bottom of the bowl, and the other side as the top where you will be carving into. Be sure to try out different tools to see which best suits you.

Whenever you are happy with the outside shape of your bowl, take off the spindle and move the tool rest to the place where the spindle used to be, lock it in place and begin carving into the bowl.

When finished sand the bowl down to your liking while still spinning on the lathe. Don't worry it should not hurt. It will start to get hot on your hand if kept on too long. If so just take a break and keep going.

Next measure 1 1/3 from the chuck and mark it so your do not hit the one inch screw, then turn the lath down to the lowest speed and gently slice into the mark the you made and try to keep it as straight as possible.

Once it is completely off take off the chuck and unscrew the leftover wood from it. When you are done doing these, go and move on to the other step.

To flatten the bottom, place the bowl upside down on a flat surface and hold the side with one hand while using the orbital sander to even out and smoothen the bottom.

Once you are done use a level to make sure it is flat and even.

YOU ARE DONE!!!

The only thing that needs to be done now is to "Make it shine"(optional but recommended)

Pore a generous amount of food grade mineral oil into the bowl and use a cloth to spread it around the surface of the bowl.

Get everywhere around the bown; even the bottom.

Now you bowl is presentable and could be used to eat.

Be sure to clean up your mess and enjoy your new bowl.