- 1). Find the center of the bowl blank. Use a ruler and pencil to draw a line from each corner of the bowl blank. The point where the two lines intersect is the center. Use a compass to draw a circle for the outside edge of the bowl. Draw another circle that is 3/8 inch smaller in diameter. This circle will represent the inner lip of the bowl. Flip the bowl blank over. Draw a smaller circle with the compass to indicate the base on the bottom of the bowl.
- 2). Place the bowl blank upside-down on the bench. Clamp the bowl blank to the bench with a hold-down clamp. Use a large gouge chisel to begin shaping the bowl. Start from the edge of the base circle and work downward toward the outer lip of the bowl. Continue to remove all of the excess wood until the basic shape of the outside of the bowl is formed. Use a smaller gouge chisel and mallet to further refine the curve of the bowl's exterior. When you have achieved the desired curve for the outside of the bowl, sand the entire outside with medium-grit sandpaper. Continue to smooth the surface using the fine-grit sandpaper until the surface is completely smooth.
- 3). Release the bowl from the bench. Flip it over. Clamp the bowl to the bench with a hold-down clamp. Start shaping the inside of the bowl using a medium-small gouge chisel and wooden mallet. Work from the inside lip of the bowl down toward the center. Take small chips away at first. As the bowl's inside begins to form, take longer chips away from the inside of the bowl. Ensure that the side tapers inward gradually. Begin to smooth out the curves by taking thin shavings away. Smooth the inside lip of the bowl using gentle tapping strokes of the mallet with a broad gouge chisel.
- 4). Sand the inside and lip of the bowl. Start off with medium-grit sandpaper. Continue sanding the inside of the bowl with fine-grit sandpaper until you achieve the desired smoothness.
- 5). Remove the clamp and apply a food-safe wood finish. Follow the instructions on the wood finish container. Allow the finish to dry. Store in a safe place.
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