These are extremely basic instructions for how to turn a chunk of wood into a bowl using a lathe. Simplistically, a bowl is a bead on the outside and the inside is a cove, with both of these cut types taken to an extreme. The biggest difference from spindle turning is that work must be done inside the piece, which requires different techniques with the gouges.
Tool below center of rotation on the inside
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back.
Safety glasses and earmuffs must be worn while machines are running.
A dust mask or a NIOSH certified respirator is recommended.
For more information on shop safety visit Wood Shop under "Safety."
Use of a faceplate is the most common method for holding a block of wood for turning bowls and plates. While faceplates are the simplest, most reliable method of holding a block of wood for turning, chucks can also be used.
Odd shaped burls, crotches and other irregular shaped blanks require special preparation before mounting in a chuck, or onto a faceplate. Remove the bark, if there is any,from what appears to be the center of the top of workpiece.
2. Drive the spur center into the top of workpiece with a wood mallet Slip the spur center into the headstock taper and bring the tailstock, with a live center, into position. Lock the tailstock to the bed and advance the spindle in order to seat the cup center into the workpiece.
Tighten the quill lock.
Position the tool support just below the centerline and about 1/4" from the workpiece. Turn the workpiece by hand to ensure proper clearance.
Start the lathe at the lowest speed and bring it up to the maximum safe speed for the size of work to be turned. If the machine starts to vibrate, lower the speed until the vibration stops.
Rough out the outside of the bowl with the 1/2" deep fluted bowl gouge, holding the tool firmly against your hip. For best control, use your whole body to move the gouge through the workpiece.
As the bowl takes shape, work on the bottom (tailstock end) to accommodate attaching a faceplate or using the chuck in expanding jaws mode.
4.1 Turn a short tenon (about 1/8" long) the size of the hole in the faceplate.This will allow centering the workpiece when the faceplate is attached.
4.2 If you plan to use a chuck, turn a tenon of appropriate length and diameter to fit your chuck.
Stop the lathe, remove the workpiece and attach the faceplate, or chuck.
Finish turning the outside of the bowl with a 1/2" or 3/8" bowl gouge. Leave additional material at the base of the bowl for support while turning the interior. This will be removed later.
Stop the lathe and move the tailstock away. Remove the center from the tailstock to prevent bumping it with your elbow.
Note: Try to make one, very light continuous movement from the rim to the bottom of the bowl to ensure a clean, sweeping curve through the workpiece. Should there be a few small ridges left, a light cut with a large domed scraper can even out the surface.
Leaving clean cuts will reduce the amount of sanding required.
At this point you may wish to jump to sanding and finishing before cutting the bowl free from the waste material and taking it off the lathe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hbX6gFLgzI