Hollow Forms

[Dwight McNutt]

What kind of gouge do you use to shape the outside of a small (4 to 5 inch) hollow form? Do you use a spindle or bowl gouge?

Thanks Dwight

[Dan Forman]

I use a bowl gouge.

Dan

[Michelle Rich]

how is it oriented on the wood? Is it in a spindle orientation? Or a bowl? That determines (generally) what tool to use

[John Keeton]

I use a bowl gouge for all forms regardless of grain orientation. However, on pure spindle work, I use spindle gouges.

[Roger Chandler]

Ditto what John just said..........I find the bowl gouge to work well for shaping the outside of a hollow form........at times I will switch to the 3/8 detail gouge for some cuts in small areas like a bead or to define the opening...........and for finial and pedestal details.

[Joe Landon]

I use either a 5/8" or 1/2" Glaser Hitec bowl gouge.

[James Combs]

Very none traditional. I use Easy Wood carbide tools especially the round finishers.

[Brian Effinger]

While I don't have too much experience on HF's (yet), I would say, whatever works. :)

[Roland Martin]

I like a 1/2" or 5/8" bowl gouge and a 3/8" detail gouge like Roger for the tighter areas. I have to add that I've gotten to finish up with negative rake scrapers after Bernie's post on how well they work. Thanks a bunch Bernie! (I think it was Bernie!:confused:)

[David E Keller]

I mainly use a 1/2" bowl gouge for shaping a form that size... A 3/8 bowl or detail gouge is handy around the bottom or when I reverse the form for finishing the bottom. Lots of tools will get you there, so it's a matter of figuring out what works best in your hands.

[Bill Wyko]

I use either a 5/8" or 1/2" Glaser Hitec bowl gouge.

Same here, love these things. Use a tool you feel a good balance with. With bowl gouge you should be able to do almost any form you want to a point.

[Baxter Smith]

If its end grain, I start with a spindle roughing gouge, then change to a 5/8 V, then may use a 1/2 or 3/8 spindle gouge for the top and bottom.

[Reed Gray]

I do use bowl gouges a lot as I am more used to using them. Spindle gouges work better for detail work. A good scraper is still a great roughing tool, and I use them for shear cuts as well.

robo hippy

[Bill Bolen]

I began using spindle tools but have found I get a smoother flowing form using bowl gouges. What works best for you is the best so try 'em all out till you know what YOU like.

[Reed Gray]

This brings me back to the Christmas show I did. For some reason, rolling pins were selling very well, and I had most of a pallet load of figured maple baseball blanks. The only way I could find to get a clean cut was with a nicely burred scraper at a shear angle, and no bevel rub. The skew really tore it up. I could not get as good of a finish with a gouge used that way, spindle roughing gouge, fluteless gouge or anything else. Maybe my scrapers just like me better.

robo hippy