A series of ladles or spoons from 64mm diameter down to 20 mm may be produced from almost any type of wood... Branches of appropriate size are easily found. Fruit tree wood is probably the best and may be turned whilst green as the article being produced is quite thin and it will not as a rule crack or split. Finish the spoon with two coats of sealer.
Diameter of spoons : 60.50.40.30.or 20mm. Length should be about 3 or 4 times diameter.
Turn a cylinder 30 mm in dia. 150 mm long between centres. Mark off a length equal to the bowl diameter. Mark a point half way along the measurement, then mark the total length required. See the drawing.
Shape bowl and handle as suggested. When completed, saw the resultant piece in half length-wise or alternatively start off with two pieces of wood joined with a "paper joint'".
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The next step is to prepare a wooden chuck to enable the spoon to be held whilst the bowl is hollowed out. From a suitably sized long grained piece of wood turn a cylinder of about 40 mm dia. and hollow out the end to suit the outside of the spoon's bowl. Continue hollowing at a lesser diameter for another 30 or 40 mm. Make 4 saw cuts to form the fingers of the cup chuck and fit a worm drive clip as shown to enable the chuck to be tightened. A recess needs to be cut in the face of the chuck to accommodate the handle which will be standing upright during the hollowing process. After fitting the spoon to the chuck careful and light cutting should be employed to form the inner bowl of the spoon. A wall thickness of 2mm is desirable.
The handle may be shaped by using a disc or belt sander.
