I have recently moved into the world of "hollowing", albeit, small hollow forms ranging in size from around 1.5" diameter up to about 6" diameter. The depths range up to about 5". For hollowing tools, I have been using a Sorby Micro 1/4" swan neck hollower, homemade tool with a metal cutting hss bit attached to square stock, and a round side cutting scraper. I did get a nasty catch the other day with the round side cutting scraper.
I have no issues to speak of with the Sorby as it cuts great, and I get very few catches. However, it is a little small for some of the hollowing I try to do.
On the other hand, the homemade tool gives me significant issues with catches, especially on harder woods.
The round side cutting scraper works okay for larger openings; but again, I sometimes get nasty catches with it, and it tends to cut the opening with the sides.
I have no desire, at this time to buy a hollowing rig. As indicated above, I like to make smaller hollow forms. Some shapes are like a flying saucer, and others attempt to follow the "golden rule". I would like to keep the opening as small as possible, usually starting out at around less than an inch. However, I usually end up with much bigger openings due to the catches or the side of a tool scraping against the opening.
So, for the size of hollowing I like to do, what would be your "go-to" style hollowing tool?
I have no issues to speak of with the Sorby as it cuts great, and I get very few catches. However, it is a little small for some of the hollowing I try to do.
On the other hand, the homemade tool gives me significant issues with catches, especially on harder woods.
The round side cutting scraper works okay for larger openings; but again, I sometimes get nasty catches with it, and it tends to cut the opening with the sides.
I have no desire, at this time to buy a hollowing rig. As indicated above, I like to make smaller hollow forms. Some shapes are like a flying saucer, and others attempt to follow the "golden rule". I would like to keep the opening as small as possible, usually starting out at around less than an inch. However, I usually end up with much bigger openings due to the catches or the side of a tool scraping against the opening.
So, for the size of hollowing I like to do, what would be your "go-to" style hollowing tool?