Dish Cut

[jimthej]

The chopping block that came with my Ulu (Inuit version of a mezzaluna) has developed several checks that will soon develop into splits. The wood looks and weighs like fir. Time to replace it.
The cut is about the same arc as a 10 inch blade. I like the square shape of the board, and the almost hemispherical dish cut into it.
Any ideas on how to make that cut?
So far I have thought of gluing up a block large enough to cut into a circle and then put in in a large V-block jig and do it like a cove cut. Then cutting the circle back into a square.
The other idea was to mount it on a face plate and use a bowl gouge and scraper.
Do you guys have a preference or another suggestion?
Jim in Bakersfield

[reible]

Hi Jim,

A few years ago I was faced with a project that sounds a lot like you are talking about. I had thought about the saw blade idea and had even got into the planning stages of making a router jig to do this. The problem was I just wasn't to sure how I wanted to proceed.

I was on another forum at the time and ask for opinions. The one that I picked was one I had not even thought about, that being the lathe. The object I had was about 4 feet long and I wasn't even thinking about how simple it would be to turn the "bowl" then use a router to inlay the bowl in the sudo dresser top. Slick place to put your change and pocket lint.

Not so sure how this would work for you but at least keep it in your thoughts.

I still want to make the router jig just to see how that would work but since I don't have a project that needs this I always find more important things to do....

Ed

[a1gutterman]

The chopping block that came with my Ulu (Inuit version of a mezzaluna) has developed several checks that will soon develop into splits. The wood looks and weighs like fir. Time to replace it.
The cut is about the same arc as a 10 inch blade. I like the square shape of the board, and the almost hemispherical dish cut into it.
Any ideas on how to make that cut?
So far I have thought of gluing up a block large enough to cut into a circle and then put in in a large V-block jig and do it like a cove cut. Then cutting the circle back into a square.
The other idea was to mount it on a face plate and use a bowl gouge and scraper.
Do you guys have a preference or another suggestion?
Jim in Bakersfield

Wow. I never heard of that before, but then I don't know my way around a kitchen very well:o . I did a Google search and found this: http://www.theulufactory.com/ . I probably should not even give you my suggestion, as it sounds weird and your lathe idea seems a good one, but here it is anyway:

You could buy a metal ring Lazy-Susan, the kind that you would use to make a rotating TV stand with. Mount the bottom portion of the metal ring to a piece of ply that you first cut a hole, the size of the I.D. of the metal ring, out of. That piece of ply needs to be sized so that you can clamp it to the saw table. Mount a similar piece of ply to the top portion of the metal ring. Then glue your glued up chopping block to the top piece of ply like you would glue it to a face plate; with a piece of paper in the middle. With the blade positioned below the table surface, center the whole thing over the table saw blade and clamp it in place. Now turn the saw on and slowly lower the table (assuming this is a SS saw) until you hear the blade engage the wood. Slowly spin the Lazy-Susan in a couple of circles and lower the blade a little more. Repeat until you get the depth that you want. Sand and finish (vegetable oil or?) and you're done. I told you it was weird.

[paulmcohen]

The chopping block that came with my Ulu (Inuit version of a mezzaluna) has developed several checks that will soon develop into splits. The wood looks and weighs like fir. Time to replace it.
The cut is about the same arc as a 10 inch blade. I like the square shape of the board, and the almost hemispherical dish cut into it.
Any ideas on how to make that cut?
So far I have thought of gluing up a block large enough to cut into a circle and then put in in a large V-block jig and do it like a cove cut. Then cutting the circle back into a square.
The other idea was to mount it on a face plate and use a bowl gouge and scraper.
Do you guys have a preference or another suggestion?
Jim in Bakersfield

The easiest way to do this is on a lathe, but if you want to do this with a router you can. One reason to use a router is if you want to bowl in the middle of a larger board like for a table top. DIY network had a woodwork show where they spent 30 minutes on this. Basically you bandsaw two identical pieces of 2x6 with the radius you want for the inside of the bowl. The two boards are held parallel to each other with the blank inbetween. Then you mount the router on something (I don't remember the details) so that it slides in the radius you cut. Each pass you lower the bit eventually you have a groove the shape of the inside profile of the bowl. Now rotate the blank after you rotate the blank 180 degrees you have the inside complete. Now do the same for the outside.

[Ed in Tampa]

The chopping block that came with my Ulu (Inuit version of a mezzaluna) has developed several checks that will soon develop into splits. The wood looks and weighs like fir. Time to replace it.
The cut is about the same arc as a 10 inch blade. I like the square shape of the board, and the almost hemispherical dish cut into it.
Any ideas on how to make that cut?
So far I have thought of gluing up a block large enough to cut into a circle and then put in in a large V-block jig and do it like a cove cut. Then cutting the circle back into a square.
The other idea was to mount it on a face plate and use a bowl gouge and scraper.
Do you guys have a preference or another suggestion?
Jim in Bakersfield

Jim
First thanks for increasing my knowledge base I had never heard of a Ulu before and thanks to A1gutterman for pointing me to website where I learn what one was.

I think I would be tempted to do this by hand much like they do chair seats, using a Aze, chisels, spokeshaves and curved planes. I would draw my circle and then drill in the center to the depth of the bowl indentation. Then it would be a matter of removing wood and refinning the shape until it had the right curve. I imagine the first attempt might be rough but at least it would look like you made in instead of something manufactured on a CNC machine.

Short of that I would mount in on the lathe and cut it.

Let us know how you make out.
Ed

[rkh2]

Jim
Interesting about the Ulu. I also had never heard of that and went to the web site that was shared and gained some knowledge. I have never tried to hollow out a bowl like indentation with the table saw but I did turn a square bowl on a lathe. The challenging part on turning that piece was not getting close to the square edges which you could not see while it was turning. Attaching a picture of what it looks like. Also I did a couple of Windsor chairs hollowing out the seat using an aze, spokeshave for the bottom of the seat and a gouge for smoothing out the seat to a level where I sanded the remaining roughness smooth. If you check out my profile you will see one of the chairs I am talking about. Seeing that I have done both of these methods, it is doable. I noted in the Ulu web site that they make their product from Alaskan Birch and Walnut. Looking forward to seeing your finished product.

[fjimp]

Although I have never used my ULU with a bowl like you describe My wife and daughter reach for the ULU every day. When I brought each of them one from Alaska they gave me odd looks. Now they both love them. We always use a flat cutting board. After reading this I believe I will turn one on my lathe. I hope when you finish you will post a picture. Jim

[woodburner]

Sorry to chime in but the idea of using the table saw by lowering the table into a piece of wood and then turning that piece of wood while the blade is running is a dangerous aspect. Saw blades are not made to cut in that fashion as it will put undo side pressure on the blade and cause many problems which more than likely will injure you.
The best and fastest way it to use the lathe if the the piece will fit. If not, the router will be the next way, and then the hand chisels.
The show 'Woodworks" has an episode in which David Marks uses a router to make a dished out bowl in a square table-top. He also uses chisles to finsh it and ame it just right so it would'nt look machined. Go to the DIR websire and see if DAvid has put intructions on how to make this using the "Woodworks" link.

[reible]

FYI

For those interested the "saucer cut" is shown in the PTWFE page 58 of the yellow color textured cover version. The revised edition and 4th don't seem to have it shown anymore.

Ed

[Greenvilleguy]

FYI

For those interested the "saucer cut" is shown in the PTWFE page 58 of the yellow color textured cover version. The revised edition and 4th don't seem to have it shown anymore.

Ed

Yep, there it is. Right on page 58! Has anyone actually tried this???

Being a turner, my preference would be to put it on the lathe.

I did see a router jig recently in one of the mags to make a scoop out in the top of a stool. I took a quick look and couldn't find it right off, but as I remember, it's pretty much a paulmcohen described above. I believe that router actually rode in a carriage with arches that match the arches in the wood guides. Seems like lots of trouble to go to when you have a lathe.