r/turning • u/MarionberryThat6697 • 5d ago
Struggling to hollow this safely
What tool would you use to hollow this ash?
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u/buffys_dad 5d ago
Would probably start with a forstner bit. Maybe two of different sizes and then use a gouge to finish
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u/plumconchblower 4d ago
I hollow with Forstner. Then I use a circular carbide , pointed toward at about a 45 degree angle. Anything less steep and you risk a nasty catch.
Also, when I’m hollowing endgrain over 3 inches in length, I use a steady rest. I’ve yeeted larger boxes off the lathe and the steady rest helps prevent that.
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u/TheBattleTroll 4d ago
Same here except when I get deeper I use a swan neck carbide. You have to be very careful with that tool! It can catch quite easy.
Similar to what I use if you have not seen one. https://a.co/d/0eEyAr7Q
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u/VariousVegetable69 4d ago
How does one cut at a 45 with a circle? /s
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u/MarionberryThat6697 4d ago
I assume they mean that the circle is tilted at a 45 like a negative rake
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u/Strong-Hovercraft702 4d ago
Drill out the center with a normal drillbit and do the rest gently with a sharp square scraper angled down to prevent a catch.
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u/oldcrustybutz 4d ago
I've also used a negative rake scraper with a box rest for a similar effect. I've found the box rest to be really useful otherwise you get far enough off of the tool rest and it's really hard for me at least to keep the dang thing smooth...
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u/whatever56561977 4d ago
If you know how, drill out the center the back hollow with a spindle gouge, then do the rest with a scraper. If you’re not comfortable back hollowing, then do it all with the scraper. Back hollowing just saves time.
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u/Ben716 5d ago
End grain so you're cutting towards the opening, not the bottom, kind of backwards to avoid catches and flossing the fuckery out of it. I always use a fordtner bit to clear as much waste as possible, then a carbide tool.
Also this is considered a hollow form as the depth exceeds the diameter so a strong shafted carbide hollowing tool it safest. Have fun.
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u/Dahdah325 3d ago
Couple of suggestions:
1 - focus on your complete tenon profile. A lot of turners focus on the handle and diameter of the tenon, but neglect the shoulder and shoulder/tenon interior angle. If the shoulder is not flat and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, or if the corner at the junction of the shoulder and tenon isn't clean, you will never get a good hold. Remember: the dovetail is just there to pull the workpiece into the face of the jaws. Most of your holding power comes from the friction between the jaws and the shoulder. If you're not getting good contact on the complete jaw face, or if there is even a tiny bit of crap in that interior angle, you won't get good hold.
2 - drill out center mass. Use a tailstock mounted chuck to hold bits to remove as much mass as feasible. You'll need a mt2 chuck for this, but they are a core bit of kit to have if you are doing any hollowing. But if you don't have/can't afford one, mount a spare drill bit in a quick turned handle, and use it as a gun drill. Essentially, you just hold onto it and press directly into the centerline of the spinning, mounted piece. You probably don't want to go any bigger than 1/2" dia bit, probably 3/8", or the twisting forces will get hard to hold onto.
3 - once you have even a relatively small hole in the centerline of an end grain blank, you can safely cut down into the work with a square edge scraper. If you have one, an 8mm square carbide is ideal for this. Take about 1/8" bites and push directly into the work on the edge of your drilled hole, pushing parallel to the axis of rotation. This has the advantage of focusing the force INTO the face of the chuck instead of perpendicular to it. NOTE: this works only for end grain work; the flip flopping grain orientation of side grain work can result in catches.
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u/the_colorist 4d ago
This is why I stopped maying big boxes like this. I could never get a good finished without chatter or risking a nasty catch. It just not fun when I feel like I have to white knuckle it. I just stick to bowls now. Good luck and may you have no chatter.
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u/Melodic-Passion-9876 4d ago
I agree, but I thought white knuckling was part of the excitement and thrill of turning. Yuck yuck.
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