When I turn hollow forms I start by first shaping the outside then
drilling the center.

For drilling I find that an auger works best. A forstner is good but
slow. If needed I put on an extension. As I'm going to remove much
more material than the initial hole I don't care about a clean hole only
getting started so I can get a gouge inside. The only problem with an
auger is including the tip in depth estimates. Once I've hollowed out
then I remove the center cone in the bottom with a forstner then smooth
with my hollowing tool.

Arch wrote:
Rough hollowing and cleaning out large end grain blanks is getting to be
more chore than fun. Even with two toolrests and a cobbled up
restraining device, my armbrace and long 3/4" boring bar is getting
heavier by the day and I'm running out of aspirin. Still I don't want to
buy an expensive large hollowing system.

Very large expansion bits are expensive and limited in use so drilling
out large amounts of waste isn't feasible, but would machine boring be.
I see by the latest HF flyer that they have a cross slide with vise on
sale for $30.00. travel cross 5 3/4", longitudinal 6 3/4" , overall
ht. 6", wt. 32 lbs. It's probably very sloppy and bulky, but with a
cobbled easily moved bed clamp and packing to center the boring bits and
maybe an added shopmade swivel, that shouldn't matter. Or should it?

Of course I'd have to drill a hole for the boring bar and form and
finish the interior walls after the rough hollowing and I probably would
need a wide entry. Also there would be a lot of cranking and moving the
cross slide. If the idea was any good, I reckon everybody would be
boring out the bulk of their hollow forms.

This is all from my armchair with no actual experience other than boring
metal, which isn't comparable. Before I buy the cross slide just to add
to my stable of workable but impractical HF 'adaptions' such as tailpipe
expander pin chucks, venturi vacuum systems, black iron pipe do-dads
etc. etc., some questions:

1. Would boring like machinist do, work? 2. Would it be easier to use
and less strain on my arms & shoulders than the armbrace? 3. Anybody
doing this?
4, Your general opinion, cautions, etc. Don't spare me
5. A simple better way other than sending me to the turning accessory
suppliers.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


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