Hi, Alan Stratton, from As Wood Turns (www.AsWoodTurns.com)
One thing that I appreciated when I lived in Oregon was the local woodturning clubs. I got quite involved and I appreciated what
they brought to me and how I was able to learn from them. Now that I’m in Utah I’m getting used
to new clubs. One of the features of both sets of clubs
is the president’s challenge where they challenge you to bring in an item from a recent
demonstration or one of the president’s choice. So, the club challenge is to make a hollow
form vessel. This is the one I made the tools for so let’s
make this small hollow form for the club challenge. To start with, I’m mounting this piece of
Atlas cedar between centers. I’m roughing with a large bowl gouge. Once it is mostly round, I’m switching to
a half inch skew for skew practice. Then I’m cutting a tenon to use for remounting
it for hollowing. A simple gauge ensures I don’t over cut
the tenon. With the wood securely mounted in the chuck
I can shape the exterior form starting with my gouge. Then over to a skew – I like the cut from
the skew better because it is a smoother finish. A skew is also handy because I can use it
as a scraper without switching tools. Then move away the tail stock and prepare
to drill a depth hole in the vase. After the hole is finished, I’m enlarging
it with a small spindle gouge. Not too aggressive because I want to keep
the center hole small. Then start hollowing with my new small straight
hollowing tool. Some of the top portion is hollow enough to
reach in with the bent tool to get inside the neck of the vase. I’m using a short length of scrap copper
electrical wire bent into a C shape to gauge the wall thickness. It’s not perfect but it works. Then back to more hollowing. Not much to see on the video at this stage
so I’ll speed up the camera. Time to sand the exterior. The hole is too small for anyone’s finger
to get into so I will not attempt to sand the inside. Yep, the hole is too small even for a woodturner. Next, a couple of accent rings. I’m cutting a shallow groove with a skew. Then burn in the line using a piece of countertop
laminate before continuing to sand. Next I’m applying some shellac friction
polish. After parting off the vase, I’ll pour some
shellac into the interior to seal the insides. For the base, I’m using my wooden chuck
jaws. Just a little tape to protect the vase. Then center the vase. Then with the vase in the wooden jaws, I’m
finishing the base of the vase. I’m using my skew covered by a piece of
laminate to push against the wood to center the vase in the wooden chuck. A plain skew would have worked just as well. With
the vase still in the chuck, I’m taking a short break to sign the bottom. Then I’ll remount it for just a touch of
fine sanding to smooth the burn edges. A little buffing finishes the vase. My new tools worked fine for this size but
not any bigger. It may not be the biggest hollow form. But, it’s a cute little vase. It’s a keeper. We’ll see you again next week with another
woodturning video. Please give this video a thumbs up, subscribe
and tell your friends. Always wear your full face shield –goggles
are not enough. Then keep on turning. Until next week, this is Alan Stratton from
As Wood Turns dot com.
Very nice, I thought about moving to Utah but I have a lot of Dr's here keeping me alive lol.
Interesting trick using laminate to center the piece while it's still loose… I'll have to remember that one. 🙂
How thick are your walls in something this size Alan? I've never been able to hollow worth spit without having a laser bolted on to see where I am… think I'm too thick and suddenly hear that sound like paper flapping before I blow it up by cutting through the side. I made my own laser guiding system after blowing up one too many pieces of nice wood, coincidentally doing the same time as a guy in my club bought a commercial system. He spent over $200; I spent $10 on a laser pointer from Staples and used an old ski pole I found in my garage. 🙂 Nice thing is, he tried mine at the meeting and said he likes it better than the one he bought! 😮 🙂
Love the shape & form of these, especially with those burn lines… I gotta get back on the lathe soon. (Medical troubles. 🙁 )
Nice looking vase Alan. Those new tools worked well
Cheers
Harold
very nice… it's good to see the tools work… I'll be making a couple of those tools my self…
cheers…
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Muy Bonito,hermoso tratamiento con pequeñas herramintas
Very nice. I should try a small vase like this one day.
Welcome to Utah Allen, I'm just starting to wood turn and would like to be part of a wood turning group. But I have had a hard time finding one around Bountiful, just north of SLC. You stated that you were with two groups and I hope you may know through them how I may get in tuoch with. Love the work and instruction that you provide with each item you make. Thank you.
Great looking Hollow Form
Homemade tools work good too
Hi Alan! It would seem those small home made scrapers did their job pretty well my friend! Very nice little piece! Cheers! Daniel
Very good looking, the tools really did there job. Thanks
Nice form on that little vase.
Steve Krumanaker
Beautiful video, Alan.
The vase looks super nice, especially because the vase is small.
very delicately turned , thank you Alan
Beau travail Alan, joli bois!
Very nice Alan, thanks for sharing,👍
Take care,
Harry
Nice job! Alan, it's a lovely little vase. >:)…JP
I've also made hollowing tools from Alan wrenches and use them quite a bit! I like being able to have a custom sized tools for different size vessels. Thanks for sharing!
Take care, Dave
Nice little project Alan, and it shows how well your home made tools work. I often enjoy the little projects more than the big ones 🙂
Cheers
Mike
The tools were worth the effort, another super video from you. Thanks for sharing.
I'm going to make me those tools. They are perfect for my small lathe.
I like IT!
Very nice small hollow form. I like the way that you made the tools. I plan to make some of my own allen wrench hollowing tools very soon. I've also noticed with your videos how at the end you say to wear a faceshield. Do you have a recommendation for a mesh faceshield? I've used regular faceshields but they fog up really quickly and I end up spending more time cleaning it than turning.
Nice work 🙂
In UK we pronounce vase as VAR-SE.. 😃