Bowls are round so bowl blanks are easiest turned on the wood lathe if they too are round. When cut from the log they are rectangular when seen from the top and are awkward to mark round for cutting. A few, simple, homemade templates make the process of marking and cutting easy.

To cut a bowl blank a section is cut from a log equal or a bit longer in length than the diameter of the log. So a fourteen inch long section may be cut from a twelve inch log. This is then cut lengthwise through and through to leave two bowl blanks each with a curved bottom from the outside of the log and a flat top from the chainsaw cut.

If the bowl blank is to be trimmed with the saw on the sawbuck it needs to be marked for good cutting. A circle could be drawn on it with a large compass or a set of trammel points but a set of templates are easier to use. On a band saw to cut the bowl blanks round one would want the flat side down and it is really awkward to draw a decent circle on the curved and often uneven surface of the log. Templates make it easy to do the cutting.

While the templates could be cut out of any light wood or plywood, they tend to take a beating. Any cardboard could be used and is easily and cheaply replaced. All the templates are is a set of cardboard circles of various diameters, each clearly marked on the template, and with the centers punched. Sizes may range from five to fifteen inches in half inch increments if your lathe permits a fifteen inch bowl. Otherwise make the set as large or as small as you like.

For cutting on the sawbuck, merely take the appropriate template and draw a circle on the flat side of the blank, proceeding to cut to the line with the chainsaw. While it may not be a perfect circle that results, depending on your skill with the chainsaw, it will prevent cutting inside the hoped for blank.

On the band saw, the templates shine. Lay the blank on its flat and place the template on the curved side. Hold it in place with a small nail or a tack through the center. If the band saw blade hits the template it may cause it to spin. This can be prevented with a second tack about an inch from the first. There is no need to draw a circle on the curved uneven surface, just follow the edges of the template.

A few pieces of cardboard make a difficult job much easier and safer. Enjoy making the bowl blanks and keep turning at the wood lathe.