Phil Holtan was our demonstrator for the February meeting.  Phil gave us a demonstration on turning hollow forms.  Phil starts the process by truing the workpiece between centers.  Here Phil takes a detour from his demo and discusses proper form.  Here is a shape that he shows as an example of what happens if you do not have a uniform wall thickness.  Here's another photo. 

Once you have a rough shape on the outside of the form, this tool is your best friend for starting the hollowing process!  Phil uses a forstner bit to start hollowing. Here's another view.

Phil shows us the proper tool presentation for hollowing the inside of the vessel. Here he begins to hollow the form with an armbrace and curved hollowing bar. Stepping away from the lathe, he discusses where to start your hollowing after the initial hollowing with the drill bit.  This photo will show the progression of the hollowing.  Back on the lathe, this photo shows you Phil's grip on the tool.  Here's another photo of his grip.  This photo from farther back shows the proper stance.  Note that our lathe is probably a bit low for Phil.  The centerline of your spindle should be about the same height as your bent elbow.  Be sure to note the look of concentration on his face as he progressively hollows!  If you didn't get it in the last photo, here's a closeup!  Here's an over the shoulder shot of him hollowing.  You will need to stop often and either vacuum or used compressed air to get the chips out of your partially completed form. 
If you have a high speed connection, here is a rather large video file.  Please note that it is over 7 megabytes in size, so don't even think about trying to download it over a dialup connection!  Phil hollowing video.  (please give me a few days to get this video posted, I'm one of the lucky ones with a dialup connection!)

Back to the drawing board!  Here Phil continues to show the progression of hollowing.  Back on the lathe, he continues on shaping the outside of the vessel toward the foot of the form.  With the outside shaped, Phil finishes up the inside. 

Thanks, Phil!

Here are some of the examples that Phil brought in this month:

• Hollow forms 01
• Hollow forms 02
• Hollow forms 03
• Hollow forms 04
• Hollow forms 05
• Hollow forms 06

I'd like to get the names of the owners of the following items that were brought in for Show and Tell.  If they are yours, please let me know so I can give you proper credit!

• 07 boxlelder burl - Hollow form
• 08 bowl
• Ron Williams - magic wand and tops
• 10 burl hollow form
• 11 lidded maple and bloodwood vase
• Steve Olson - small hollow forms
• Dale Cook - Turned, carved, dyed and airbrushed fish

Thanks to everyone who came!

• 01
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