Stunning Transformation | Red Ironbark Snack bowl

This week on Turning Tuesday, I turn a 5-inch (12cm) snack bowl from a gorgeous piece of Red Ironbark, also known as Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon), native to the Canberra and Queanbeyan region. This small but striking bowl features beautiful colour shifts after finishing with Gilles chopping board oil (lemon oil) and beeswax, revealing a rich, deep tone and a contrasting band of sapwood around the outside.

The piece came together with minimal errors and turned out to be a satisfying and smooth process. I start this video with a personal story: after being in a bit of a turning funk, my wife came in excitedly to tell me a beautiful tree was being cut down nearby. I rushed out and asked the arborists if I could save some of the wood and they generously let me pick a few sections. This bowl was made from one of those salvaged pieces.

As always, I talk through my turning process, from rough shaping to finishing, sharing techniques and tips along the way. Whether you’re a woodturner, a timber enthusiast, or just love to watch beautiful grain come to life, this video has something for you.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Wood Salvage Story
0:42 Turning Starts
9:59 Refining the Shape & Forming the Foot
14:32 Sanding Exterior
15:40 Applying Finish on Exterior
17:00 Turning Interior
24:44 Sanding Interior
25:28 Applying Finish on Interior
26:08 Finished Bowl & Photos

Wood species: Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon)
Dimensions: 5" (12cm) diameter
Finish: Gilles lemon oil + beeswax
Tools: Long wing Bowl Gouge, Square Scraper, Bowl Scraper, Spindle Gouge, Skew

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