Why can't a bowl have legs?
Full disclosure: I made a smaller version of this tripod bowl first, and right before it was finished, I accidentally destroyed it. I was sad.
Instead of being defeated, I decided to try again, only this time, I would make it more complicated! I would make it bigger! Multiple layers of wood! And add a third segmented layer, since I've never done any segmented turning before! Why not, right?
In the illustration below, you can see the different layers and most basic stages of making the bowl.
Start out with a flat piece of wood. It does not need to be round at this stage (it wasn't for me, but I thought it might be easier to visualize the bowl this way).
Glue up a ring of wooden segments approximately the same diameter as the piece in Step 1.
Glue the segmented ring between the first piece, and another similar piece.
In the lathe, turn the outside shape of the bowl.
Turn the legs (on the lathe), drill the bowl, and glue in the legs.
Turn the inside of the bowl.
Of course, breaking a project like this down into six simple steps is kind of a gross oversimplification, but hopefully you get a general idea of how the bowl is constructed.
The top and bottom layers are Black Walnut, and the segmented ring and the legs are Black Cherry. For bowls at least, I'm finding myself gravitating to more subtle combinations like Walnut and Cherry, as opposed to high contrast options like Walnut and Maple. Those certainly have their place, but I'm finding I enjoy an understated style. With time, the Cherry ring and legs will darken and redden, and should blend nicely with the Walnut, like a fine wine. I don't know anything about wine.
With that said, here it is!
So fascinating! You have skills Darrell! I would love to be able to watch you make one of these. I wonder if a you tube channel is calling you? I so appreciate the fine detail work. You are a craftsman indeed.
Peter