Finishing the bottoms of large bowls

[Paul M. Kaplowitz]

There have been various threads on holding bowls to finish the bottoms. Here is my solution. I bought the large Mega Jaws from Oneway and liked them for reversing bowls and finishing the bottoms. The problem was the largest dia. bowl I could hold was about 14 1/2" dia, I was turning bowls in the 20 to 24" range on a regular basis. So I decided to expand the jig. I bought some square Aluminum stock from Lowes and set up a jig for my drill press. I drilled and tapped a series of holes to give me a 24" capacity. I sent pictures to Oneway and they where totally disinterested.

 

[Richard Coers]

They already sell a vacuum chuck that works extremely well finishing the bottoms. Probably 80% of the time I only use the large vacuum chuck as a friction chuck. I just bring up the tailstock and turn down to a little nub. I then saw that off and sand it smooth.

 

[Tom Gall]

Paul, here is another solution - cheaper and a lot less work - and a more secure holding method since you have near 360º grip (exterior or interior) instead of 8 holding points. This was posted last year and similar posts previously. Of course, you already built your version but maybe it will be helpful to others...or you!

This forum is getting expensive!..... (poll)

Yes vote, here! ;) I can't remember just who suggested these Cole jaw extended grippers, but after having trouble with mounting a bowl on Saturday, I realized they are just the thing for a few of my permanent bowl shapes. Whoever it was that brought these grippers to my attention......thank...

www.aawforum.org

Even with this version I would still opt for my vacuum chuck in most instances.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

When my mega jumbo jaws are too small, I mount my plywood extensions on it, they do work well.

Made with 3/4" plywood circle cut into 4 quarters and screwed onto the Mega jumbo jaws, 8 buttons are normally enough, though I can add more buttons at will for a better hold if needed, also the turning does not need to be a perfect circle.

I do like the jumbo jaws as they can hold regular pieces like this 3 bowl turning, also to flatten and turn feet onto the bottom, not easily done with a vacuum chuck.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

There have been various threads on holding bowls to finish the bottoms. Here is my solution. I bought the large Mega Jaws from Oneway and liked them for reversing bowls and finishing the bottoms. The problem was the largest dia. bowl I could hold was about 14 1/2" dia, I was turning bowls in the 20 to 24" range on a regular basis. So I decided to expand the jig. I bought some square Aluminum stock from Lowes and set up a jig for my drill press. I drilled and tapped a series of holes to give me a 24" capacity. I sent pictures to Oneway and they where totally disinterested.

I'm not surprised that Oneway is not interested in your idea on going larger than what they probably are willing to go to, the liability of producing a product that could overextend the strength of the Aluminium and the small screws would be a serious mistake, wreck their good name and probably very limited product numbers.