Some Hollowing Questions??

8/26/04, 5:49 PM #1

Jennifer@Indy.USA
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Some Hollowing Questions??

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>Hi All,

I bought the Don Pencil Scorpion and Stinger hollowing set last Fall and am for the first time just now putting it to use on something other than a tiny weed pot. I've got a piece on the lathe that is about 10" tall and 6" in diameter. This is the largest hollow form that I've attempted and I'm discovering it's more involved than I thought. My first mistake that I discovered was to place the tool rest on the curved portion of the gooseneck instead of behind it on the straight part of it. I popped in my J.Jordan Hollow Turning video late last night and got that one figured out. A small but important detail. That one should have probably been obvious.....but it takes me a while :)

I've got the cutters in the hollower hitting right above center....I'm pretty sure this is correct? Also, at what speed should I be turning this particular piece? It's a solid piece with no voids or cracks. I'm right at about 1000 RPM? Faster Slower? Just right?

Also do any of the women out there find that even the short hand grip is too long? I'm thinking I might cut mine shorter and add some more padding just to fill up the curved rest. My arm seems to be flopping around quite a bit in it. I tend to be holding the tool with a death grip and I'm sure that can't be good for me or the piece I'm turning.

Any added tips,reading, or videos that you might think of to help me out would be much appreciated. I have high aspirations for this piece of wood on the lathe....and don't want to blow it, if you know what I mean.

Thanks again,

Jennifer : )

- - -

Hello Everybody! I figure I've been hanging around WoodCentral for a few years now so I might as well officially post a Bio. I'm Jennifer and I reside in the heart of the Midwest in Indianapolis. You'll usually find me hanging out on the turning side of WoodCentral, but I check the Main forum too. I started woodworking about 25 years ago mostly interested in flatwork; small furniture and other items to use around the home. Then I discovered the lathe and became obsessed with it. I've been turning for about 23 years now. My love and excitement for turning has taken me into the world of teaching and frequent demonstrating. Lots of experimenting with textures, color, burning over the past several years. I've recently begun dabbling in metal clay work and have started incorporating it in to my turnings too. It's another toolbox full of toys! When I'm not turning, I'm hanging out with the love of my life and most honest critic, my husband Clay. In order to keep the lathe spinning and the lights on I spend the other part of my day at an ABC television station directing the evening newscasts.

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/26/04, 7:37 PM #2

Gary Bills in NC
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Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

Gary Bills in NC

>In stead of adding padding, I just bent the part that is too big that goes under your arm in so untill it fit my arm. I bends quite easily.

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/26/04, 9:23 PM #3

john lucas
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Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

John Lucas

>Jennifer

I'm male but I have short arms. I cut mine and welded it back together shorter. Mine was homemade so that option was easiest. My friend had the same problem so we cut the end off his and moved the arm brace bracket closer.

I turn at whatever speed is comfortable. I find little difference in cutting quality between moderate speeds and fast speeds so I just crank it up until it seems right. On pieces with hollow sides I usually run faster.

One thing I really like about John's video is the way he makes the cut by simply squeezing his left hand which pulls the tool into the wood. This is a very controlled cut and lets you as big or small a bite as you want and you can do it repeatably. I take about 5 to 8 bites and then pull the tool out to clean up the side. Then I'll move in and hit thick part and do the same thing again. John makes it look effortless when he does it. It's a little more work for me.

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/26/04, 9:45 PM #4

Jorge Casta�eda
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Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

Jorge Casta�eda

>Hi Jen,

Good that you are turning again.

I got the same rigs as you did, with the short arm rest, I did bent it's wings a little to make it better fit and adde a little padding with foam and duct tape.

I turn the unbalanced rough piece at 500 until it is balanced and then turn it up to 1200, sometimes even to 2000, but I never attempted anything 16" deep. Don Pencil told me the range of the Stinger was up to 7" and 14" for the Scorpion.

Have fun

Jorge

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/27/04, 1:38 AM #5

John Jordan
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Re: Some Hollowing Questions?? *LINK*

John Jordan

>Jennifer, If you'll send me the length of your forearm from fingertips to elbow, I'll send you a handle to try. Try to keep the tip of your tool swiveled to be near the centerline of the tool. Don't turn over 1000rpm-I wouldn't go much over 8-900. It's just more relaxed. :-)

Good Luck,

John Jordan

johnjor

http://www.johnjordanwoodturning.com

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/27/04, 1:39 AM #6

John Jordan
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John Jordan

>Jennifer, If you'll send me the length of your forearm from fingertips to elbow, I'll send you a handle to try. Try to keep the tip of your tool swiveled to be near the centerline of the tool. Don't turn over 1000rpm-I wouldn't go much over 8-900. It's just more relaxed. :-)

Good Luck,

John Jordan

http://www.johnjordanwoodturning.com

Re: Some Hollowing Questions??

8/28/04, 1:00 AM #7

Jennifer@Indy.USA
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Thank you!

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>nks for the great information everybody. I think I need to slow the lathe down a bit and fiddle with the fit of my arm brace. Perhaps take Mr. Jordan up on his extremely kind offer.

Thanks again,

Jennifer

- - -

Hello Everybody! I figure I've been hanging around WoodCentral for a few years now so I might as well officially post a Bio. I'm Jennifer and I reside in the heart of the Midwest in Indianapolis. You'll usually find me hanging out on the turning side of WoodCentral, but I check the Main forum too. I started woodworking about 25 years ago mostly interested in flatwork; small furniture and other items to use around the home. Then I discovered the lathe and became obsessed with it. I've been turning for about 23 years now. My love and excitement for turning has taken me into the world of teaching and frequent demonstrating. Lots of experimenting with textures, color, burning over the past several years. I've recently begun dabbling in metal clay work and have started incorporating it in to my turnings too. It's another toolbox full of toys! When I'm not turning, I'm hanging out with the love of my life and most honest critic, my husband Clay. In order to keep the lathe spinning and the lights on I spend the other part of my day at an ABC television station directing the evening newscasts.

Some Hollowing Questions??

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