Cedar Hollow Form

This is my first attempt at a hollow form. The inside isn't hollowed out all that well. I had a lot of problems with tools catching and after the third time it ejected off the face plate(turning green and the screws didn't hold) I left it on the floor where it stopped for a couple of days then remounted it with "Gorilla Glue" on the screws and tried to hollow it out better and then finished the exterior. I like the shape but glad you can't see the inside. Practice makes perfect and I'll be trying more soon after I build up confidence again.

Photo Details

Robert_Harper

Registered: December 2009
Location: Sandy, Utah, USA
Posts: 375

0

Date: Mon January 25, 2010
Views: 757
Keywords: cedar hollow form

Comments

JimQuarles

What are you using for screws through the faceplate. I have been using hex head sheet metal screws with good success. In green wood you should only drill a small pilot hole. These screws are stronger than wood screws and the hex head lets you retighten without removing the faceplate.

#1 Mon January 25, 2010 6:00am

Brendan McAreavy

I think you've done a good job here, the neck is particularly good and I'm going to have to steal the design.

Hollowing - there was some talk on the boards recently and I was interested because I was having the same problems as you describe. The advice was to raise the tool rest slightly as you proceed into the vessel to ensure you are cutting at centre. I tried that and it works. The other consideration is that you get more chatter the further the tip is over the tool rest so maybe a heavier tool would help.

#2 Mon January 25, 2010 9:30am

Robert_Harper

I was using 1 1/2" sheet metal screws. I had six of them in the blank. The wood is just so soft when it is green that it pulled right out. I didn't drill pilot holes though. I just let the self tapping do its thing.

As for the catching, I think it is all down to tool orientation and since the tools could barely fit through the neck, I couldn't tell how well I was aiming them at the wood. I tried several different types but didn't seem to have much success with any of them. I'd try to take very light cuts but then the tools would still catch.

Live long, love lots, and turn fast.

#3 Mon January 25, 2010 11:46am

Frank Van Atta

I think it looks good. Paint the inside black and make sure the opening is too small for anyone to get their hand through and you'll never have to worry about how rough the inside is . . . Smile!

#4 Mon January 25, 2010 3:54pm

Robert_Harper

Its not that the inside is rough, it is that it doesn't follow the outside very well. It is hollowed better than just drilling it out with a forshner bit like some I've seen in shops but not much more. Surely not to your standards but I'll keep it because it looks nice. No problem on getting a hand in there. I can only get one finger and I can't feel much past the shoulders of the piece.

Live long, love lots, and turn fast.

#5 Mon January 25, 2010 4:31pm

Bill Bolen

Pretty piece and nice form/finish. Hollowing is not as easy as it looks but most especially when the correct tooling is unavaliable. I think you did a grand job...Bill..

#6 Mon January 25, 2010 4:47pm

Makepeace

Leo Makepeace

Agreed, nice form and finish, practice will sort out the hollowing dificulties I'm sure. Great job.

Ruining lots of good wood to get a few average bits.

#7 Mon January 25, 2010 7:15pm

Rev. Doug Miller

Rev. Doug Miller

Lines are great. Keep at it and you'll have great results quickly. 8-)

#8 Mon January 25, 2010 7:28pm