Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is the first in a series of two videos where I demonstrate how to create a two sided Potpourri Bowl from idea to reality using the 3D modeling capabilities of Vectric's Aspire software. In this first video I will take you step-by-step through the process of how to model a bowl to hold potpourri. But, this lesson is not limited to this type of bowl. It is detailed enough that you should be able to create other bowls with the knowledge gained. Only your imagination will be the limit.
What You Will Learn:
👉 How to create the components on both sides to make the potpourri bowl. This knowledge and skill is transferrable to other bowls.
👉 How to create and use a "Limit Plane" to setup for proper tool path operations
👉 How to create and use 3D Tabs to hold your project while carving
👉 How to setup the "rough" and "finishing" tool paths to achieve smooth finishes and minimize sanding.
👉 Holding techniques to allow carving a 2.5" thick bowl on your CNC
👉 Designing Alignment methods to allow succesful carving of both sides of a two sided project.
Why Watch?
This video series teaches how to create bowls and other two sided models in Vectric Aspire and successfully carve the projects.
If you are not interested in the software design process of how to design a bowl with Apsire but you enjoy watching CNC projects you may want to skip this video and watch the physical carving of this bowl - which is video 2 in this series. You can find that bowl at the following link:
Carving A Potpourri Bowl Created with Aspire using Cutting it Close Workshop BAMX Material Glue-up: youtu.be/42QVCJIzCBE
Other Videos You May Want to Watch if interested in Epoxy projects:
➡️ Mastering "Z" Zero: youtu.be/uwk-aF9NwFQ
➡️ Use vCarve to Make an Epoxy and Cherry Heart Bowl Part 1: youtu.be/KRgeZTI7Z-s
➡️ Use vCarve to Make an Epoxy and Cherry Heart Bowl Part 2 :youtu.be/M5yXQCA1mmg
➡️ Corbin Dunn CNC Hold Down Methods: Workholding and How to Clamp Material to Your Spoilboard: youtu.be/okMz2NAk-Uc?si=cAb3S6DkDJSzkvPr
➡️ Cutting it Close Workshop Video 5 Simple CNC Tips To Save You HOURS On Projects: youtu.be/nfEKpTlN1Hg?si=NjD_XzVmutcFasS4
Disclosure links I provide for products are often affiliate links for which I will get a mall commission if you purchase the product through my link. In some cases you will get a discount and in others you may not. Any commissions I receive are then used to support the products and equipment I need to make these videos.
BAMX Material Exclusively Provided by Cutting it Close Workshop:
cicworkshop.com/products/bamx?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
Router Bits I used in this video:
➡️ Cutting it Close Bits Used in This Project
👉 Gold Digger Roughing Bits: cicworkshop.com/products/gold-digger-family?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
👉 Downcut Bit Finisher: cicworkshop.com/products/1-4x-1-downcut-srd220?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
➡️ Amana Ballnose Bit 46294: amzn.to/4ijDJZM
⏰Timecodes⏰
00:00 Introduction
04:15 Key Points to look for during design video
06:45 Creating Top of Bowl with Round Shape Component
09:56 Creating Bottom of Bowl on Opposite Side
11:10 Creating Vectors for Screen and Bowl Section in top of bowl
15:35 Creating Vector For Bottom of Bowl Indent
16:15 Setting up Toolpaths for Carving Top of Bowl
19:55 Setting up Toolpaths for Bottom of Bowl
21:15 Understand Need for zero (limit) plane and Creating one for top of bowl
24:05 Adding adding zero (limit) plane to bottom
25:35 Adding 3D Tabs
29:35 Setting up Toolpaths for Potpourri Screen and Bowl on Top of Bowl
36:20 Setting up Toolpath for Indent in Bottom of Bowl
38:45 Inserting Alignment Holes for two sided project
42:20 Changing “Z” Zero to Surface of Material for Alignment hole on Machine Bed
44:50 Summary and Review of Key Points
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tutorials like this. Share your experiences and questions in the comments below the video, and let's build a community of knowledgeable CNC enthusiast.
This video is not sponsored.
Most of the resources I use in my CNC, Laser, 3D printing and other projects are listed on RobSandstromDesigns.com website and the below link will take you to these resources including links to the resources, clamps, bits, equipment, etc.
Resources Links: robsandstromdesigns.com/resources
This is the first in a series of two videos where I demonstrate how to create a two sided Potpourri Bowl from idea to reality using the 3D modeling capabilities of Vectric's Aspire software. In this first video I will take you step-by-step through the process of how to model a bowl to hold potpourri. But, this lesson is not limited to this type of bowl. It is detailed enough that you should be able to create other bowls with the knowledge gained. Only your imagination will be the limit.
What You Will Learn:
👉 How to create the components on both sides to make the potpourri bowl. This knowledge and skill is transferrable to other bowls.
👉 How to create and use a "Limit Plane" to setup for proper tool path operations
👉 How to create and use 3D Tabs to hold your project while carving
👉 How to setup the "rough" and "finishing" tool paths to achieve smooth finishes and minimize sanding.
👉 Holding techniques to allow carving a 2.5" thick bowl on your CNC
👉 Designing Alignment methods to allow succesful carving of both sides of a two sided project.
Why Watch?
This video series teaches how to create bowls and other two sided models in Vectric Aspire and successfully carve the projects.
If you are not interested in the software design process of how to design a bowl with Apsire but you enjoy watching CNC projects you may want to skip this video and watch the physical carving of this bowl - which is video 2 in this series. You can find that bowl at the following link:
Carving A Potpourri Bowl Created with Aspire using Cutting it Close Workshop BAMX Material Glue-up: youtu.be/42QVCJIzCBE
Other Videos You May Want to Watch if interested in Epoxy projects:
➡️ Mastering "Z" Zero: youtu.be/uwk-aF9NwFQ
➡️ Use vCarve to Make an Epoxy and Cherry Heart Bowl Part 1: youtu.be/KRgeZTI7Z-s
➡️ Use vCarve to Make an Epoxy and Cherry Heart Bowl Part 2 :youtu.be/M5yXQCA1mmg
➡️ Corbin Dunn CNC Hold Down Methods: Workholding and How to Clamp Material to Your Spoilboard: youtu.be/okMz2NAk-Uc?si=cAb3S6DkDJSzkvPr
➡️ Cutting it Close Workshop Video 5 Simple CNC Tips To Save You HOURS On Projects: youtu.be/nfEKpTlN1Hg?si=NjD_XzVmutcFasS4
Disclosure links I provide for products are often affiliate links for which I will get a mall commission if you purchase the product through my link. In some cases you will get a discount and in others you may not. Any commissions I receive are then used to support the products and equipment I need to make these videos.
BAMX Material Exclusively Provided by Cutting it Close Workshop:
cicworkshop.com/products/bamx?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
Router Bits I used in this video:
➡️ Cutting it Close Bits Used in This Project
👉 Gold Digger Roughing Bits: cicworkshop.com/products/gold-digger-family?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
👉 Downcut Bit Finisher: cicworkshop.com/products/1-4x-1-downcut-srd220?sca_ref=7158192.YJVxMOI6w9sj
➡️ Amana Ballnose Bit 46294: amzn.to/4ijDJZM
⏰Timecodes⏰
00:00 Introduction
04:15 Key Points to look for during design video
06:45 Creating Top of Bowl with Round Shape Component
09:56 Creating Bottom of Bowl on Opposite Side
11:10 Creating Vectors for Screen and Bowl Section in top of bowl
15:35 Creating Vector For Bottom of Bowl Indent
16:15 Setting up Toolpaths for Carving Top of Bowl
19:55 Setting up Toolpaths for Bottom of Bowl
21:15 Understand Need for zero (limit) plane and Creating one for top of bowl
24:05 Adding adding zero (limit) plane to bottom
25:35 Adding 3D Tabs
29:35 Setting up Toolpaths for Potpourri Screen and Bowl on Top of Bowl
36:20 Setting up Toolpath for Indent in Bottom of Bowl
38:45 Inserting Alignment Holes for two sided project
42:20 Changing “Z” Zero to Surface of Material for Alignment hole on Machine Bed
44:50 Summary and Review of Key Points
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tutorials like this. Share your experiences and questions in the comments below the video, and let's build a community of knowledgeable CNC enthusiast.
This video is not sponsored.
Most of the resources I use in my CNC, Laser, 3D printing and other projects are listed on RobSandstromDesigns.com website and the below link will take you to these resources including links to the resources, clamps, bits, equipment, etc.
Resources Links: robsandstromdesigns.com/resources
