A Lignum Vitae log is needed- this is bought by weight not measurement.
The size of the log is important because, if it is too thick there is a bigger
chance of flaws in the timber and there would be too much wasted material.
Only the dark wood will be used when making the bowls. The log is then
sliced into "blanks" and the bowls are made from these blanks.
A pair of bowls will be made from two blanks which have been cut next to each other.
This is to achieve two bowls of the same density.
(The density of a log can vary from one end to the other)
The blanks are then put into a copy lathe to achieve the desired shape and size
of the bowl requested by the customer. As we have a vast collection of bowls profiles, we can produce
the exact shape required by any individual.
The bowl is then put into a friction chuck and the centre of the bowl
is then drilled slightly each side to accommodate a coloured disc.
The disc is then "faced off" and polished to produce a shiny mount.
The outer and inner grip rings are also located onto the bowl.
If the customer requires a deluxe pattern grip,
the bowl is placed into a machine which operates
on a cam system to create the wavy patterned grip.
This grip can be located anywhere on the bowl,
or even duplicated on each side to create a grip which
will suit any individual's need.
The bowl now looks like an object to be played with,
but now has to be tested for bias. This is done on a slate bed test table.
The bowl is released down a chute and it's course should follow that of
a pre-determined curve made by the master "2's full bowl".
If the bowl travels outside or inside the line, it's bias needs to be altered.
The bias of a bowl is achieved by altering it's sole or running
surface very slightly with sandpaper. This is a precise operation
requiring skill not to alter the geometric template shape of the bowl,
otherwise the bowl may not perform correctly on the green.
Once the bowl has been biased it is then polished,
usually either clear or black, (although it is possible
for us to apply a coloured polish). This is done by
rotating the bowl on a turntable and using a spray gun
to apply an even coat of lacquer. We use lacquers these
days because the customer always prefers the high gloss
shine that is achieved.
After the bowls have been polished, the bias is again checked,
and after a final burnish to get a brilliant shine, the bowls are
then personalised with the customer's initials or name.
The bowls are then ready for collection or free delivery.
Premier Bowls are the originator of applying a coating on
composition bowls and are probably the most successful in this application.