Endgrain nut bowl with bark - how do I?

[Mike Boyette]

I have tried to turn the bark on end grain nut bowls with the center knob for the tools but they all crack. These have been widely available for years so someone has mastered it. How did they do it and what kind of wood do they use?

 

[hockenbery]

I have tried to turn the bark on end grain nut bowls with the center knob for the tools but they all crack. These have been widely available for years so someone has mastered it. How did they do it and what kind of wood do they use?

The issue with those bowls is that each growth ring shrinks more than the growth ring inside it so radial cracks develop because of the stress.
Those bowls want a flat bottom which makes drying more difficult too.

things that can help
Pick log sections that have the pith near the center.
drill out the center of the bottom - you can use this hole for the tool holder to glue in the holder.
keep the diameter smallish 8” will be more successful that 10 “
slow the drying- I use paper bags. I change bags if they are damp the next day - otherwise I get mold. If I see mold I wipe Edith Clorox.

Soft maple, walnut, camphor are woods that crack less than some others
Turn the walls 1/4-5/8 thick and drill a 3/4” hole in the pith you should get a pretty high percent that don’t crack if you dry them
slowly. May take 6-8 months drying in a paper bag.
Then re drill the hole and glue in the tool holder these are usually spindle turned from a contrasting wood.

 

[Mike Boyette]

Thank you. I just knew somebody had figured it out. Will give it a try and let you know how it turns out.