I made a couple of very nice bowls (one of them lidded) form crown green
bowls. I made a small dimple in the centre of each of the small plastic
inserts. I then mounted the sphere between centres, set the lathe at a
slow speed and cut out the insert at the tailstock end. This left a small
recess and the centre was well marked from the original turning. I then
remounted between centres using this new centre mark and cut out a dovetail
recess to suit my chuck Plain sailing after that. You need very sharp
tools and it does not produce shavings, it makes a fine dust. Easy to
work tho' and takes a beautiful finish.

Tom
"John" wrote in message
...
In message , John
writes
We all know Mac loves his Lignum Vitae, but does anyone know of sources
within the UK?

I have found a one, but they have only small pieces of branch 6 inch x 2
inch. The other option being redundant crown green bowls, but they again
are limited in size

Well, I have been lucky to pick up a couple of Crown Green Bowls, made of
Lignum Vitae, so now its a case of turning this round object into another
round object, well after I figure out how to hold them.

There appears to be three holes in one side, probably for a chuck of some
type, as they do not seem deep enough to take screws (about 1/4 inch).
There is also an insert which is about 1 inch diameter on both sides. I am
currently thinking of holding the bowl by the three holes, and then
converting the insert recess on the other side to a dovetail. Has anyone
tried this before? IS there a better way of holding them?
--
John