Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
An ash bowl, seven inches by two, from a Dalmann blank through to two coats of Danish oil.
The whole thing is straightforward technique done carefully: marking a tenon that fits the chuck every time, hollowing from rim to centre in the right order, and getting a clean surface straight off the tool.
If you are learning to turn bowls, this is the sequence worth getting into your hands.
What's the difference between a push cut and a pull cut, and when do you use each?
Both appear in this film. A pull cut shapes and slices with the handle down. A push cut finishes the surface but demands a good feel for the bevel and where the cutting edge actually is, it's a trickier cut to get right.
How do you hollow a bowl without losing control of the gouge?
The sequence goes from rim to centre in a deliberate order, flute pointed toward 3 o'clock, then swinging the handle up as the cut gets wider. The key is keeping your left hand from pulling the bevel into the wood, that's what causes bruising and bevel rub.
How do you get a consistent tenon every time?
Dividers. Marking the diameter accurately before cutting means the tenon fits the chuck the same way every time, no chasing a fit later.
How do you remove a tenon without damaging the base?
Cole jaws and a spindle gouge, taken slowly in tiny cuts. It's a step a lot of turners rush, and rushing it shows in the final piece.What's the finish, and why Danish oil?
Two coats of food and toy safe Danish oil, wiped back after each pass. It keeps the surface simple and lets the ash grain do the work.
0:00 Introduction
0:52 Mounting the blank and first cuts
2:31 Cutting the tenon
3:12 Shaping the outside
4:07 Sanding and Danish oil finish
5:09 Reversing and hollowing
6:53 Scalloped rim
8:09 Removing the tenon with cole jaws
9:32 The finished bowl
Wood: Ash from Dalmann Timber, finished at 7 x 2 inches
Finish: Danish oil — food and toy safe, available from Yandles in Somerset
Tools used:
3/8 bowl gouge (½ inch in the US)
3/8 (10mm) spindle gouge
Point tool
Dividers
Cole jaws
Inertia sander, 120 to 400 grit
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school 🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning 📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop 📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park. 🌐 msabansmith.com Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
An ash bowl, seven inches by two, from a Dalmann blank through to two coats of Danish oil.
The whole thing is straightforward technique done carefully: marking a tenon that fits the chuck every time, hollowing from rim to centre in the right order, and getting a clean surface straight off the tool.
If you are learning to turn bowls, this is the sequence worth getting into your hands.
What's the difference between a push cut and a pull cut, and when do you use each?
Both appear in this film. A pull cut shapes and slices with the handle down. A push cut finishes the surface but demands a good feel for the bevel and where the cutting edge actually is, it's a trickier cut to get right.
How do you hollow a bowl without losing control of the gouge?
The sequence goes from rim to centre in a deliberate order, flute pointed toward 3 o'clock, then swinging the handle up as the cut gets wider. The key is keeping your left hand from pulling the bevel into the wood, that's what causes bruising and bevel rub.
How do you get a consistent tenon every time?
Dividers. Marking the diameter accurately before cutting means the tenon fits the chuck the same way every time, no chasing a fit later.
How do you remove a tenon without damaging the base?
Cole jaws and a spindle gouge, taken slowly in tiny cuts. It's a step a lot of turners rush, and rushing it shows in the final piece.What's the finish, and why Danish oil?
Two coats of food and toy safe Danish oil, wiped back after each pass. It keeps the surface simple and lets the ash grain do the work.
0:00 Introduction
0:52 Mounting the blank and first cuts
2:31 Cutting the tenon
3:12 Shaping the outside
4:07 Sanding and Danish oil finish
5:09 Reversing and hollowing
6:53 Scalloped rim
8:09 Removing the tenon with cole jaws
9:32 The finished bowl
Wood: Ash from Dalmann Timber, finished at 7 x 2 inches
Finish: Danish oil — food and toy safe, available from Yandles in Somerset
Tools used:
3/8 bowl gouge (½ inch in the US)
3/8 (10mm) spindle gouge
Point tool
Dividers
Cole jaws
Inertia sander, 120 to 400 grit
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school 🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning 📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop 📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park. 🌐 msabansmith.com Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
