lg.bowl help

Re: lg.bowl help

John K Jordan

>Do I remember you buying a Termite tool? It excels in removing end grain. I haven't tried it on mesquite. (I wish I had some)

JKJ in East TN

Re: lg.bowl help

Darryl Hansen

>Ken, If you have a 1/2" gouge with the "Ellsworth" type grind (see rind library in W/C) it will take down end grain rapidly if used as in his (Elsworth) video.

Re: lg.bowl help

scott hogsten

>If I read what you wrote correctly you are hollowing into end grain. If this is true (directly into endgrain) try hollowing with a bowl gouge from the center out instead of from the rim in. You will get curls instead of sawdust.

Scott

Re: lg.bowl help

ken chase

>No. I'm using my Scorpion hollowing bar. Would the termite be a better choice for this task?

Re: lg.bowl help

ken chase

>I'll give it a try Scott. Curiously even though I've been taught endgrain should be removed as you suggest from the center out I find it more effective at times to reverse this and go from the outside toward the center. Don't know why?

Thanks

Re: lg.bowl help

John K Jordan

>>Scorpion hollowing bar.

Sorry, I don't have experience with the scorpion so I can't compare. The termite was designed for end grain, supposedly an improvement on the hook tool and old ring tool.

JKJ in East TN

Re: lg.bowl help

GaryG in MD

>Ken,

You should probably use your Scorpion -- that's what it's for, but if you want to try a gouge, here's my experience.

I'm also very new at this, like you. Before I understood the situation, I tried working on end grain from the outside in and had some catches. It was obvious to me that that was not the correct technique. So I did a little reading and learned the correct way.

You've already seen it on this Forum many times in the last few months. It works! Drill a center hole to the depth you want to hollow and then use a spindle gouge with the flute pointed to about 10 o'clock. Start in the hole with just the tip of the gouge and move the tip to the left, keeping the handle level, by rotating the gouge -- with your grip supported on the tool rest as the pivot point.

The first time I did it, I was nervous because of the catches I had previously had on end grain, but it was a real joy -- smooth sailing. I got a very clean cut and no catches -- not even close. Great fun. Just don't try to take out too much material with each pass -- be patient and careful. Listen to the sounds.

Give it a try on a smaller piece first to build up your confidence. I think you'll get it and like it.

Have fun,

Gary

Re: lg.bowl help

Gary Evans, Tallassee, TN

>John,

I can hook you up.

Gary

Re: lg.bowl help

Brad Vietje

>Good response, Gary, I agree. For beginners, this is a great way to hollow endgrain without all the stress that comes from catches, and pieces coming out of the chuck.

Ken reports that he has had better luck hollowing from the outside toward the center... with a scraping tool on a boring bar, it won't really matter, except when compared to shear scraping for finishing cuts. With a cutting tool, like the Termite or other bevel-rubbing endgrain cutters, it will be a much smoother, much less dusty ride from center to edge -- IF the cutter is positioned correctly.

Good luck. Ken !

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: lg.bowl help

ken chase

>Thanks Gary:

I didn't mention I did drill a starter hole. I'll try my spindle gouge today. I didn't finish yesterday. It became a much more difficult task than I envisioned. Another thing I encountered...My hands, the left in particular, was stained a dark gray color which I could not remove with soap or hand cleaner. This has only happened with mesquite. Any suggestions?

Re: lg.bowl help

adrien

>the strategy is that one is cutting downhill, with the grain, when hollowing center to periphery. Same idea as with spindle turning.