The Wood turner

This wood was destined to be a table for the garden after we acquired it from a chap who thought it was oak.  His father had built his own house with the same timber and this was one of the planks left over after the house was finished in the 60's!  So he was having a clear out.  

At almost 2m long and 10cm thick we thought it make a great party table in the garden. Having taken it to be planed, the carpenter thought it was walnut, as the grain is dense & heavy and the wood rich & dark.  Excited by the prospect of some walnut, we decided it was far too good for a table, but far more appropriate for use as bowls.

On taking it to the wood turner, it turns out to be sapele, slightly less sought after, but just as rich in hue and sheen and very suitable for serving bowls. 

Here's the process of how a bowl is made... 

timber ready for cutting and turning into salad bowls

cutting the wood into rounds for turning

round block on the lathe ready to turn into shape

final bowl, just a layer of mineral oil to feed the wood and the process is complete