Demonstration Recap: Dan Zobel’s Signature "Holey Bowley"
Monday, November 18th

We had the pleasure of welcoming Dan Zobel, who demonstrated the creation of one of his signature pieces, the "Holey Bowley."

Step 1: Preparing the Bowl Blank
Dan began by mounting the bowl blank onto a screw chuck using a Oneway Stronghold chuck. He recommended using side-grain wood for easier handling. If working with end-grain wood, it’s crucial to turn away the pith to prevent checking.
He established the bowl’s shape and foot before hollowing out the interior.

Step 2: Carving the Interior
With the bowl shape complete, Dan moved to the carving phase. He used an Arbortech mini grinder equipped with a coarse-grit donut wheel.

Technique: Carve radially from the center outward toward the rim in small, random cuts. This method helps maintain wood stability and minimizes vibration along the rim.
Maintenance: Periodically clean the donut wheel to remove fine buildup.
Caution: Avoid cutting into the rim to preserve its integrity.

Once carving was complete, he sanded the interior with approximately 150-grit sandpaper. Dan emphasized a gentle touch to maintain the carved pattern.

Step 3: Turning and Carving the Exterior
Dan reversed the bowl and secured it with cole jaws on the chuck. He carefully turned the foot to the desired shape, ensuring the bowl’s exterior was smooth and that the wall thickness was consistent throughout.
Using the same radial carving technique as the interior, Dan carved the exterior, working up to the bumpers of the cole jaws. This process revealed the distinctive holes that define the "Holey Bowley" design. Once the carving was complete, he removed the bowl from the chuck and finished carving the walls up to the rim, carving from the bottom upward to prevent catches.

Step 4: Fire Sanding
To add texture and color, Dan introduced fire sanding:

Tool: A propane torch (preferred over MAP gas for its lower heat, which creates a deeper, more controlled burn).
Technique: Carefully burn the bowl’s exterior, paying attention to avoid letting it catch fire, especially through the holes. Burn until the surface blackens slightly, then brush it with a fine steel brush. Repeat this process as desired.

Step 5: Painting
Once the fire sanding was complete, Dan proceeded to paint the bowl, adding the finishing touches to his stunning "Holey Bowley" creation.