I cut the end off a piece of dry 10" 8/4 maple. Turned a shallow bowl/sushi plate. Turned out OK despite a few ridges and valleys in the "air" section on the corners.

Just a heads up: If you are using a piece of lumber for this, be sure and cut an inch or so off the end first. I didn't do this and ended up with some really nasty staining in the last inch. I also ended up with some cracks developing in the same area. This is probably only a factor in lumber that has an end that has not be trimmed since initial drying, or a previously cut end that has been exposed to weather.

Back to the drawing board.

Don't you mean, back to the lathe???

Yep, been there as well. One sometimes gets a little to excited and forgets the small things to check for first. Speaking of starting, I really need to hit the lathe and get mine going.

Well I finally hit the shop tonight, but I haven't started my bowl yet. Instead I decided to give a walking cane a try. All was going good till I went to take the nib off the back end of the handle. Kaboom!!! split the wood at the other end. No big deal, being it was a prototype. I'll hit the lathe tomorrow and wrap this one up, then on to the bowl.