Thanks mate, Im hoping to get back to work on it this weekend and hopefully get the grind and holes done. Yeah I'll do 8mm if you wouldnt mind throwing some pins and some of that Birch my way. Ill drop you my addy in a few weeks.
Ive found a fantasic Birch with a nice burl on it, easily big enough to make a bowl. Just a shame its in MFI carpark next to a busy road. The search continues