hollow form question

[maverick31]

I was watching some dj marks woodworks videos last night and I am feeling pretty inspired to try a hollow form vase type thingy (this is a highly sophesticated redneck term by the way). I don't have any hollow form making tools and was wondering where to start. I was looking at this one to start with (see link below). what do you guys use?

www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005023/5664/SORBY-Hollow-Master--Full-Sized.aspx

Is there anything else I should look into getting? I did some internet reading and i saw somepeople have laser systems and all kinds of fancy stuff. I don't want to get crazy but would like the basics to get me rolling. I am not even sure if I will make many of these but I want to try one. I have a 40 ft maple tree that I need to go chop up, so I will have plenty of wood to practice with.

[Doug B]

Apr 27, 2010 20:53:47 GMT -6 maverick31 said:

I have a 40 ft maple tree that I need to go chop up, so I will have plenty of wood to practice with.

That looks like a stealth gloat there Mav ;D What a great problem to have.

I have that Sorby Hollowmaster and have used it, but not on a hollow form. Cody has that tool too and he has used it a lot for hollow forms, so he is going to be the one you need to have explain it. I have found it a little difficult to use because is gets extended way past the tool rest, but it is hefty enough that it can do that...if it's used by someone with more skill than I have achieved yet.

[maverick31]

yep I tried to be subtle with my gloat. That tree has been sitting for a couple of months out at my wifes grandfathers farm. He intentionally knocked it over with his tractor for me. He knew I was eyeballing it to turn bowls and stuff. I need to get my lazy butt out there and chop it up/bring it home.
I have been really busy with trying to sell my house and my wife doing her photography stuff on the weekends to do anything else. Hence no posts of completed projects. I am hoping to get back in the saddle this weekend. I have 6 pens to make for paying customers. Hopefully in next month or so I can try one of these hollow forms. This is the style I am going to try for.

www.djmarks.com/photo.asp?image=/portfolio/turnedvessel-lipton.jpg


I wish I had the skills to do this

www.djmarks.com/photo.asp?image=/portfolio/alchemistsvessel-01.jpg

[Doug B]

Wow, you set the bar high! Those are fantastic. Something to strive for.

That first one looks like it might be a natural edge kind of thing on the lower portion...very interesting.

[maverick31]

that is his signature gold/silver leaf patination. A bit too artsy for me but I really like his style. I like almost everything he does. I have always been a guy who goes for it so it will be interesting to see how it turns out when I try this for the first time. sorby has a midi one and a full sized hollowing tool so I figured it would be better to get the full sized so I can get deep in there without too many problems.

[sdb777]

I never done a bowl...so not much help for you there.

But I'd love to see a photo of that maple tree!!!





Scott (what kind of maple) B

[maverick31]

Ill try to take pics when I go back out there. I am not sure what type of maple it is. looks pretty plain jane but we will see when I cut it open

[Ruffnek]

Clay,

The Sorby Hollowmaster is an ideal tool to start making hollow form vessels, IMHO. It definitely has a learning curve but it's not extremely difficult to use.

I'd recommend using it first for hollowing a bowl. That way, you can see what is happening with the various cutter angles which is key to blind hollowing. When you are comfortable using it on an open bowl, then go to a bowl with an undercut rim. Finally, progress to a hollow form.

Be aware that you will not be able to hollow vessels with it through an opening less than app. 2 inches in diameter. If you want one of those 1 inch openings, you will have to add a collar to the vessel. I personally like the look of collars and will normally include them on my hollow forms, even if the opening is small.

I'll try to answer any questions you have about using the hollowmaster as I've used mine extensively...it's the only hollowing tool I have so far.

[maverick31]

thanks for the tip cody. I was thinking it may take quite a bit of practice to get decent at it. I was hoping this tool was all i need to get started. I did not want to spend several hundred dollars and end up only making 1 or 2 hf. I am sure i will have questions when i get around to doing this. Might be a few months down the road but I am excited to try one

[Mark]

Clay,

I have the "midi" version of the hollowmaster, and it indeed has a tricky learning curve. It was the first "hollowing" or "Shear-scraping" type tool I'd tried, and got a bit intimidated by its behavior. After borrowing and using the full-sized multi-tip shear scraper on bowls, it helped me better understand the mechanics of using that type of tool on the interior surfaces. When I've used the hollowmaster since, it's been less mysterious, and have had better results. The neat thing about both of these, is the variety of cutters that you can attach for different shapes and approaches to cutting the surface.

Haven't attempted a hollow vessel yet, but that is my goal as well. I'm working up to it just as Cody suggested.

Mark

[maverick31]

Good luck. Just like anything else I bet practice makes perfect.

[mapleman]

i made some homemade hollowing tools a few years back. one stright borer, curved shaft with a 1/4" bit, then a round scraper. the curved shaft one was ok to use -- but hard to deal with. the scraper gave me fits ----- but that was certainyl operator error. i never figured out how to use the flat scraper...

john