More than one option. If you decide not to be a strict constructionist and
use a "bowl gouge" because it's a bowl, you can use your toolrest up close,
your short-handled gouges held so they're almost catch-free, and peel wood
to a fair-thee-well. Leverage makes you mighty, a close toolrest also makes
you steady. Make a virtue out of a necessity by shedding your
preconceptions.

As I am right-handed, I am only modestly inconvenienced by hollowing over
the bed. Were my arms attached at centerline, it might be worse.

"M.J. Orr" wrote in message
...
There is one other option available though Bill. The method I use on my
long bed Woodfast is to simply run the lathe in reverse and turn my
Stewart
system hooker tool upside down to hollow out vessels. Works very
well..............
..net wrote in message
. net...
Greg has pretty much nailed it. On a shortbed you can stand at the end
of
the lathe and keep
the tools near your body where you have more control. On a longbed you
need to extend your
arms, it is tiring, you lose control, etc.

Or, you can use the old David Ellsworth method of riding the ways.

The best way to find out the advantage of a shortbed -- try it. You
will
not want to go
back.

Bill

In article , Greg G. says...
Maxprop said:

While I can guess at the reason for this, I'd appreciate your take on
shortbed vs. longbed. Why would a longbed be any less desirable for
bowls
and hollows? Thanks in advance, Bill.

I'm no expert, but my answer would be that the bed gets in the way of
an optimal approach to the hollow of the bowl/vessel - interfering
with both your body and your tool handles.


Greg G.