Finishing The Bowl

The still green, rough-turned bowls are sealed with a wax to control drying, dated, and stored in an open air shed for 8 to 12 months to dry (top left).

Once dry, the outside of the bowl is recut with the gouge chisel (top right) and sanded (middle left).  I wear a dust helmet to protect my face and lungs.  I highly recommend all turners wear such protection.

With the outside completed, the bowl is re-chucked on the lathe so that the inside can be recut and sanded (middle right and bottom left).

The bottom right picture shows the food -safe oil finish being applied.  I use food grade mineral oil.

Although the oil darkens the wood, no stain is used so all the bowls are their natural color.