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Ep 3: Laying out the curve of the bowl

In this episode, Dave shows how he lays out the outside curve using a compass, and how he cheats things a little when the wood doesn't totally cooperate

By David Fisher Nov 09, 2017

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Videos in the Series

Ep 1: Finding the bowl within the log

November 2, 2017

In this episode, Dave shows you what to look for in a log, and how to find the bowl within it to set yourself up for success when carving a bowl
Ep 2: Initial shaping and flattening the bowl bottom

November 2, 2017

In this episode, the chips start to fly Dave starts working with the ax to shape and flatten the bottom of the bowl
Ep 3: Laying out the curve of the bowl

November 9, 2017

In this episode, Dave shows how he lays out the outside curve using a compass, and how he cheats things a little when the wood doesn't totally cooperate
Ep 4: Refining the outer curve of the bowl with an ax and drawknife

November 9, 2017

The bowl begins to present itself from within the log as Dave begins the hewing process with a carving ax and drawknife
Ep 5: Laying out the inner bowl

November 15, 2017

In this episode, Dave lays out the elliptical inside of the bowl using a compass, nails, and a piece of string
Ep 6: Hollowing out the bowl with an adze

November 16, 2017

In this episode, after a safety talk, Dave uses the adze to hollow out the bowl, bringing to light what will be the finished surface
Ep 7: Laying out the outside of the bowl

November 23, 2017

In this episode, Dave lays out the outside of the bowl by using a folding ruler as a sector, and of course, more compass work
Ep 8: Shaping the outside of the bowl

November 30, 2017

In this episode, the outside of the bowl begins to take shape with a lot more ax and adze work
Ep 9a: Refining the outside of the bowl – Part 1

December 7, 2017

In this episode, Dave begins to sculpt the outside of the bowl using a drawknife and ax
Ep 9b: Refining the outside of the bowl – Part 2

December 7, 2017

In this episode, Dave finishes the refinements to the outside of the bowl with a bent gouge, carving chisel, and sloyd knife before leaving the bowl to dry
Ep 10: Finishing cuts on the inside of the bowl

December 14, 2017

After drying the bowl, Dave flattens the bottom and gets to work texturing and finishing the inside of the bowl with gouges
Ep 11: Finishing cuts on the outside of the bowl

December 21, 2017

In this episode, Dave finishes the outside surface of the bowl with a drawknife and carving chisel
Ep 12a: Carving the necklace – part 1

January 4, 2018

In this episode, Dave lays out the necklace carving for the bowl handles
Ep 12b: Carving the necklace – part 2

January 4, 2018

In this episode, Dave carves the decorative necklace with a carving chisel and gouges
Ep 13: Food-Safe Finishes for Greenwood Pieces

January 18, 2018

In the final episode, Dave discusses food-safe finishing options for your bowl

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About This Video Workshop

Using tools usually relegated to firewood preparation, David Fisher starts with a log and turns it into a bowl that's refined and beautiful. Known as one of the masters of bowl carving in the greenwood movement, David has carved hundreds of them—and in this video workshop on carving a bowl, he'll will show you step-by-step the process he uses. Additional Reading: Article: Carving Class with David Fisher Watch David Fisher Carve a Greenwood Bowl in… More about this Video Workshop

Comments

jdcook72 | Nov 09, 2017 11:49pm | #1
When marking the arched top of the bowl, instead of relying on various compasses with different capacities, have you ever considered a simpler solution of a pencil on a piece of string? I understand extra care would be needed to ensure a constant radius when switching from end to end but that doesn't seem too hard to accomplish with a simple mark on the string and you could have more versatility with fewer tools. Or, maybe there's something I haven't considered that would make this a bad idea? I am really enjoying the videos so far.
DaveFisherPA | Dec 17, 2017 08:57pm | #2
Jdcook72: You're right, the string method works fine for marking the arched top, no problem at all. Quick adjustments with a compass requires less fiddling around, but that's the only real advantage. And you could put string and a little nail in your pocket! Good idea.

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