SETTING UP THE BOWLSAVER TO MAKE THE CUT
• Remove the toolrest from the toolpost and replace the bowlsaver back into the toolpost,
sitting down on the collar to set the height.
• Start off with the larger blade and remove the largest bowl first, then swap over to the
smaller blade for the next size down. Bowls under 8”(200mm) cut with the small blade.
• With the bowlsaver in the toolrest we will now move the whole toolrest and bowlsaver
unit up to the face of the bowl.
• Slide the toolrest across until the tip of the cutter lines up with the pitch circle.
• This is called the Point Of Entry. It is not necessary to have the pivot bolt in the centre of
the bowl.
• Next set the depth of cut (how far the bowl goes into the bowl) we have provided tem
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plates on pages 7 and 8 to make your own depth gauge (or callipers can be used) .
• Place the large gauge against the base of the bowl and move the unit forward until the
centre of the bolt is level with the point. Keep the cutter on the point of entry.
• If this is correct then lock your toolrest firmly.
• Slide your tailstock forward, loosen the wingnut underneath of the tailstock bracket fit
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ting, and fit the Morse taper into the taper of your tailstock. Lock your tailstock in place
and wind the handwheel forward a little to hold the taper firmly in place.
•
Double check now all your mounting points, your toolrest, toolpost , tailstock,
and the wingnut underneath as well.
Now we are ready to start cutting.
FIRST CUT
• Check your lathe speed. This will depend upon the size and the balance of the block
that you are cutting but use a lower speed to start with.
• Once again to make sure that the chuck is tight on the bowl and then start the lathe.
• The hand positions of the bowlsaver are quite important. Bring your body close up to
the
bowlsaver handle and your left hand can rest and apply downward pressure to
the blade. This will help dampen any vibration.
• It is very important that the blade is fed very slowly into the wood (Not hesitantly but at
steady rate). There is no need to rush this operation. The whole operation will take only
2 to 4 minutes and you can withdraw the blade at any time and start again at the same
point where you left off. • You can see that a few minutes time spent carefully conserving
a piece of this wood is going to be well worthwhile.
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