Engraving a Bowl that barely fit

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I turned a spalted oak bowl on my lathe. I put an engraving on the bottom. I placed the bowl on the spoilboard and slowly jogged to make sure the bowl would not hit the bottom of the Z. It just barely cleared. I did the engraving and put some sanding sealer on it and will paint it tomorrow.

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I did not measure but it was an 1/8" or less.

Here is the engraving (advanced vcarve with #122 and 15 degree vee .1" deep. The bowl diameter on the bottom was 5". I love the ability to put text in a circle.

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Two things about that ⅛” …

  • The safe retract height always gets me if I even get near that clearance
  • Where did you get a bit that short? Did you cut the shaft on it? :smiley:
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Spalted wood always looks so good. Nice touch with the engraving too! I hope she’s your only sister :rofl:

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I used a #122 and that is relatively short. I used a 15 degree vee but that is normal. The Z (HDZ) retracts much higher than the bottom of the Z frame. So I did not have any problem with the bits and the bowl JUST fit below the bottom of the Z assembly.

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Yes she is my only sister. If I had 2 or more sisters that would start a war. I am a peace lover, make love not war. :grin:

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