2 red smaller bowls in gallery
different thickness of work
While u can like both....which does ur eye favor..... Thin or thick
different thickness of work
While u can like both....which does ur eye favor..... Thin or thick
-
Congratulations to Rick Moreton, People's Choice in the July 2025 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Thickness
- Thread starter Charlie Knighton
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2021
- Messages
- 1,668
- Likes
- 1,454
- Location
- Roulette, PA
- Website
- www.reallyruralwoodworks.com
might help posting photos here, I cant find photos you refer to.. but me personally I prefer thinner than thicker, typically maybe 1/4 inch thickness on most mid-size (4-7 inch) 5/16 to 3/8 thickness on progressively larger sizes.. basically in proportion to the bowl.. However, in some cases, depending on form or design, thicker might actually look better.
Thin seems to favor..."artistic endeavor". It shows skill on the part of the turner, and lightens the piece. There seems to be a preference for thin among many. I like pieces for display that are very thin, but if you are making products for actual use - you may want to temper that desire for thin bowls. They can be fragile if too thin and delicate to handle.
Thick is - for me - a sign of one or more things: the experience level of the turner. The wood itself - it may have some defects which were not discovered until the turning was well under way. Or an attempt to emulate an "industrial" or primitive style/look.
Woodturning has very few "rules" - other than safety in all we do. Safety first and safety last. Turn something, look at it, ask friends family and strangers to look at it. Ask for honest opinions. Look at as many pictures of classic pottery as you can. Observe modern sculptures. What appeals to you? Our eye is drawn to 2 things in particular: Graceful curves, and objects created which are mindful of the Golden Ratio. Or - practically, things that the design changes are made at a 1/3 or 2/3 of the length.
There are many rabbit holes one can go down in turning. Segmented, natural edge, hollow form, spindle turning, ad infinitum. Don't let it all overwhelm you. Pick something you like. Hang a picture of it where you can look at it while you are at the lathe - to refer to. And....have fun.
Thick is - for me - a sign of one or more things: the experience level of the turner. The wood itself - it may have some defects which were not discovered until the turning was well under way. Or an attempt to emulate an "industrial" or primitive style/look.
Woodturning has very few "rules" - other than safety in all we do. Safety first and safety last. Turn something, look at it, ask friends family and strangers to look at it. Ask for honest opinions. Look at as many pictures of classic pottery as you can. Observe modern sculptures. What appeals to you? Our eye is drawn to 2 things in particular: Graceful curves, and objects created which are mindful of the Golden Ratio. Or - practically, things that the design changes are made at a 1/3 or 2/3 of the length.
There are many rabbit holes one can go down in turning. Segmented, natural edge, hollow form, spindle turning, ad infinitum. Don't let it all overwhelm you. Pick something you like. Hang a picture of it where you can look at it while you are at the lathe - to refer to. And....have fun.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2004
- Messages
- 9,245
- Likes
- 5,905
- Location
- Lakeland, Florida
- Website
- www.hockenberywoodturning.com
Smaller, Thin and thick are relative terms.
I like thinner on smaller bowls.
Functional bowls cannot be fragile nor should they be clunky.
Decorative bowls can often take advantage of thinness to present the warp.
Referring to odies 1945 bowl and Darrel Warren bowl.... both red mallee
All a matter of "beauty in the eye of the bowl-holder..."
Dave Landers
Beta Tester
For me, "thick" and "thin" are dependent what I'm trying to achieve. I usually shoot for "just right" - for that particular piece. 
For a utility (salad) bowl, sometimes "thick" (or "heavy") is going to appeal. Sometimes "thin" (aka "light") is appealing. For a decorative bowl, more often "thin" is for me. But I often leave bark-edge and burl-edge bowls a bit thicker to show off the bark or eyes.
More important, in my opinion, is that "fair curve" (the form). And harmony between the outside and inside curves (often this is an even wall thickness, but not always).
For a utility (salad) bowl, sometimes "thick" (or "heavy") is going to appeal. Sometimes "thin" (aka "light") is appealing. For a decorative bowl, more often "thin" is for me. But I often leave bark-edge and burl-edge bowls a bit thicker to show off the bark or eyes.
More important, in my opinion, is that "fair curve" (the form). And harmony between the outside and inside curves (often this is an even wall thickness, but not always).
I did go through a phase where I turned as thin as I could, 1/16 inch or so on some. Problem is they are dust collectors only, as in sit around and collect dust. They are not suitable for daily use, which is what I want. Mine are usually in the 1/4 to 5/16 range. Some times I will turn big leaf maple a bit thicker since it dries pretty easily. There was a turner once locally, and he showed ma a bowl that was more ornamental, and maybe 1 inch+ thick and he asked me why mine were so thin. I asked him why his were so thick. It never ceases to amaze me how people have to pick the pieces up and fondle them before buying....
robo hippy
robo hippy
Most of my bowls are between 1/4 - 3/8 in thickness, that just feels right to me. On another site I made the comment that much thicker pieces are becoming common now, the responses seemed to indicate I had insulted woodturners! I rather surprised. For artistic pieces, thick may be the ticket, but for all other categories not so much.
DanO
DanO
Looking at the two bowls we're comparing, I don't think the appeal has anything to do with thickness. Odie has a very unique style that seems to be his trademark. Daniel Warren's bowl is a traditional style salad bowl. Both are extremely well done and beautiful bowls in their own way. Viva la difference.