The meeting featured Al Geller demonstrating techniques for making thin natural-edge bowls.

Al discussed the many myths of woodturning.

Paul Calcaterra took his turn introducing himself and fielding one of Al's woodturning questions.

Al suggested sticking to the simpler bowl forms.

He showed how figure orientation affects the appearance of the bowl.

Preparing the bowl blank to be turned between centers using a spur drive.

Showing how to approach the entry cut on the natural edge using a gouge.

Forming the basic contour.

Side view of roughed out blank.

Finishing the outside shape.

"Too thin" is when the front starts to meet the back, as demonstrated with this piece.

Showing the entry cut on the edge on the inside surface.

A curved tool rest can help get closer to the bottom.

Shaping the bottom with a blunt angle gouge.

Al used a convex blank in the headstock together with tailstock to hold the piece while shaping the foot.

Final cuts on the foot.

Sketch of how the tenon is carved away to form the final foot.

Show-n-tell: Ron Lindsay showed the She-Oak and Canary Island Pine bowls in the upper right. Warren Brown did the avocado crotch piece on the center right.

Warren also showed his large Olive Ash bowl featuring carved feet.

Jim Rinde brought several pieces, but we feature his fervent female form fetish in Camphor wood.

Gary Toro also showed several nice pieces. Here is hollow form using some of the She-Oak he provided the club.

Dave Staeheli showed pieces from Mountain Mahogany and Red Gum. He also created a unique candlestick holder using Walnut.