On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:37:05 -0400, Gerald Ross
wrote:

I sometimes use a short piece of dowel with a slit sawed across the end
about 2 inches deep. A 2 inch strip of sandpaper slid into the slit and
wrapped around the dowel can sand the interior without risking a digit.

There's the bit I was looking for! I kept trying to hold paper in
place with spray adhesive, but it wasn't strong enough. The slit
should be just what the doctor ordered. Should have thought of that
myself!

I think the rocks would arrange themselves around the perimeter and stay
in one place, unless you have an extremely slow lathe speed, then it
would be an extremely slow go to smooth out the wood.

I think you're right there, now that you mention it. I was thinking
of a rock tumbler, but they don't move that fast!

I often turn a jig that fits inside the hollow and also is large enough
on the other end to fit in the chuck. Make it a hair small and put a
strip of paper towel down the side, over the end and back down the other
side to make a snug fit. This works great for a piece with straight
inside walls, and holds steadier that a cone would. You could also turn
a cone to use as a jam chuck. As much as possible I make all my jigs and
glue blocks so that they fit in the chuck.

Not a bad idea. I may have to go with the cone on this one, as the
hollowed area is not straight, but follows the outside curve, so it's
much wider inside than it is at the mouth.

A round piece of plywood about 3/4 in. diameter with a small hole in the
center will fit on the point of my tailstock center and I use that to
hold an item without punching a hole in it.

Another good one. Thanks (to everyone) for the tips! Finally get a
real weekend this week (no OT), so I'll be able to put in some quality
time on this.