Sanding inside a HF

[Mark Burge]

For those of you who do HFs with small opening, do you do much sanding on the inside? If so, how?

My last HF was a little rough on the inside. I am still getting the hang of the hollowing tools, but they seem to leave a pretty ragged cut. (perhaps my sharpening? :-)

Thanks

[Aaron Howard]

3 ways :

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Abrasives___Sanders___Reach_Sanding_Ball___reach_s anding_ball?Args=

forceps with a sanding backer

make a collar that you cannot stick a finger in :)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Mark - most of the time I just leave the tool finish as is. Using a sharp scraper and very light cuts can make an acceptable surface. For those times I had a hole big enough and needed to sand - I used 2" sanding disks. For even smaller holes I was given this link but have not ordered the system yet: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96785

[David Walser]

Mark,

Most times, if the hole is small enough, you don't need to sand and finish the interior. For those times I do feel like sanding, here's what I use: http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Abrasives___Sanding_Accessories___Sanding_Clamp___ sanding_clamps?Args=

[Mark Burge]

Thanks, Aaron, Steve, and David. Those options look pretty good, except for the expensive ball thing Aaron. I had seen the forceps in that catalog before, then I forgot about them. I still think I need to work on my hollowing technique more than my sanding. I have had a hard time getting the bits of my Sorbey hollowing tools sharp enough too.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Mark - remember that your bits are actually used as scrapers and as such need a good burr to be able to cut cleanly.

[curtis rosche]

depending on the angle of the opening you can use a bowlscraper on its side, using the flutes, to scrape and get a clean cut. so far that is how i have done all of my HFs, for the whole hollowing

[Chris Rae]

Harbor Freight has the locking forcep type clamps too. That's where I got mine and they had different sizes and styles, some with angled tips. Price was good too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94952

[Mark Hubl]

Harbor Freight has the locking forcep type clamps too. That's where I got mine and they had different sizes and styles, some with angled tips. Price was good too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94952

+1 on HF forceps. I use HF sanding sponges inside as well. I also like coarse steel wool to smooth it up. Remember if using forceps not to put your fingers in the handles, just wrap your paw around the ends. A catch would cause great damage to the pinkies. I don't put the fingers in with the lathe running. This is asking for trouble. (Unless of course you have a big mustard monster and are turning it a a few rpm a minute.)

[Steve Trauthwein]

Another method that is inexpensive that I have found useful at times is to slot the end of a dowel, I usually do this with a knife. Then it is a simple matter of folding the appropriat grit paper, any length you require, and reinforcing with a little tape. Then put it in your hand held drill and go to town.

Regards, Steve