Part 1/3 - First time coring with the Kel Mcnaughton centre saver bowl corer uncut

My first time using the Kel system with a large 17" bowl. No edits or cuts--see me fumble my way through the process, complete with shaving jams and stalling the lathe. Things go smoother at around the 5 minute mark. I'm not quite as fast as Mr. Grumbine, who does the whole process in about 2 minutes, but I was pleased with the results and wanted to show a successful attempt by a first time user with this coring system.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• wood
• turning
• wooden
• bowl
• centre
• center
• saver
• kel
• mcnaughton
• core
• coring
• kelton
• industries
• woodturning

[aquan8tor]

After coring a few hundred bowls with my own McNaughton set, I really cringe when seeing someone turning without a faceshield. The day will come when a core snaps out and flies up, or when a piece explodes. Please, please wear a faceshield when turning. There have been at least a couple deaths in the past few years from head injuries suffered while using a wood lathe. We all are guilty of going without occasionally, but safety goggles aren't going to do much if a bowl blank flies apart.

[dxerboy]

@aquan8tor I agree 100% -- thanks for the great comment. I had a false sense of face-protection at the time while wearing my respirator I believe.

In fact, I don't use the Kel anymore due to the "what if" factor. I found it had more moving parts than other systems, and therefore more "what if" variables, and is better suited to very experienced turners who use it regularly rather than my occasional coring session.

I feel safer with the Oneway coring system. And yes--a face shield too, always.

[Noscraping]

I remember those days.  Pretty painful to watch, but i do like the hazmat suit. only two words for this guy......"Mike Mahoney"

[dxerboy]

@Noscraping If you mean me by "this guy", yes, good tip--anyone checking out this coring system should definitely check out Mike Mahoney's tutorials.

I'll also say anyone checking out this system, particularly hobbyists or occasional turners, should also check out the Oneway system, which I find much easier and safer than the Kel.

Cheers

[mfrederick13]

I see a lot of videos of people using this system, and i'm pretty sure you are supposed to turn the smallest core first, not the largest. It would stress the bowl less, allow you to remove all cores with only one tenon, and stop a huge chunk of wood flying off as you separate. Just an idea.

[dxerboy]

@mfrederick13 Re: "huge chunk of wood flying off as you separate", in fact, the recommended method is to "snap" the core off while the lathe is stopped rather than slice it all the way while it's turning, which is what I did with this one.

Yes, you are right, usually you start with the smallest core first. With that method there's a danger of going too deep on the first cores, and since this was my first try, I just didn't want to risk messing up the largest bowls!

[mfrederick13]

okay I understand that idea of not ruining the largest bowls. lol that snap method is a great theroy, haha , but ive seen alot of people seperate by accident. Overall, great first time. Bowls and hallow vessels are the only reason I was even interested in turning, so its awesome to see something save all that waste.

[lanaisthehbomb]

haha, good thinking, I would have broken that window several times by now.

[dxerboy]

@lanaisthehbomb So, no, I haven't broken it!

[dxerboy]

@lanaisthehbomb Haha good question. in fact, I have a large piece of plywood that goes up in the window. I do usually use it when I can't have the window open and there's a risk of projectiles!