After seeing the cool bowls that DWSudekum has made, I decided that I wanted to make one. I really like seeing how something can go from a flat board to a bowl. I have made some baskets and it is fun to see people try to figure out how one flat board made a tall bowl.
This bowl was also an experiment in working with Bamboo. I was at TJ-Max looking for "cool" kitchen stuff for a friends birthday and ran across some bamboo cutting boards. They had a few sizes and thicknesses of boards, also ones that had different "grain" effects. Most of the boards were between $3-10. Several boards were 1/4" or 1/2" with a few that were 3/4" inch (the thicker ones were more expensive, but had cooler "grain" patterns). I found a few boards that had damaged handle on clearance and since I was planning on cutting the handle off it was a bonus. I got a piece if 1/2"x9x11 for $2, which is less then many hardwoods at the nearest lumber store. The bamboo cut really well on the scroll saw. It also sanded/shaped really nicely. I will totally be buying a few more bamboo cutting boards for future projects.
I learned a couple of things while cutting this bowl. First is that the excalibur people with the tilting head are on to something. I had not cut anything at such an angle on my saw, I was cutting at 38 degrees. On my last ring the light-bulb went on and I moved to the side of my saw. It was easier to cut when one hand wasn't so much higher above the other. I also didn't think all the way to the end of the project and wish I would have left the bottom one ring higher. It gets too narrow at the bottom.
Let me know what you think, and a big thank you to DWSudekum for his inspiration and help in this project.
Katie (MrsN)
