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Intro
Step 1: Strip Away the Bark
Step 2: Clamp the Burl On a Work Surface
Step 3: Carve the Shape
Step 4: Continue Shaping
Step 5: Smooth the Bowl
Step 6: Finish the Bowl
Produced by Darryl Chapman
Burls are abnormal growths on trees, usually eucalypts, that develop when they experience environmental stress such as fungal or insect attack. They're sought after by woodworkers for the tangled-grain pattern and hardwood durability.
This bowl is made from a two-kilo burl and requires only basic carving skills. It's hollowed out and smoothed on the inside, with the outside left rough and textured.
Do this with a chisel. Don't damage the timber, and clean off the excess with a wire brush.
Position wood blocks underneath for support. Make sure the bowl is secure.
Use a carving wheel on an angle grinder to carve the shape, working from the center with smooth strokes and checking thickness with calipers.
Use a mini-grinder attachment to plane the shape and remove deep gouges, sweeping the cutting wheel from side to side to remove high edges.
Smooth with 80-, 120-, then 180-grit sanding discs attached to the mini grinder, then sand by hand with 240-grit sandpaper.
Fill cracks or hollows with epoxy adhesive, leave to dry then sand away excess with a power sander and repeat the hand sanding.