Another end-grain hollowing question

[Steve Eure]

Started hollowing out an elm log to make a vase. This piece of wood is sopping wet. Using carbide tools, the inter-twined grain is giving me fits. Instead of a nice cut, I'm doing more tearing. I seem to be having trouble, especially around the curves. I'm using a hollowing system that has always done a fair job for me on dry, or even moderately wet wood, but this is different in that the grain is so twisted and wet. What can I do to help with this, or is there a better way or a different type of cutter I should use? What about something like a Oneway termite or Crown beaver? Would those type of cutters be a better option?

[Barry McFadden]

I don't do much wet wood but when I do any end grain hollowing I use the Oneway Termite tool and it works well....

[Dave Mount]

I don't do much end grain hollowing, but some woods buck the idea that wet wood cuts easier. I made several bowls from a butternut log a few years ago and roughing the bowls wet was not pleasant, lots of tearing and fuzz even with sharp tools. But once it was dry, it cut like "butter" (see what I did there?).

Best,

Dave

[Richard Coers]

End grain hollowing cuts are best made from the center out. Fast forward to 12:30 for end grain hollowing. https://youtu.be/4rDgDFLWG18 A ring tool in wet elm will clog really quickly. A hook tool is far better.

[Don Orr]

Using carbide tools may be part of the problem here. The cutters (scrapers) may be taking too big of a bite to be efficient. Many hollowing tools use a much smaller cutting tip like the Ellsworth style tools that use a 3/16" HSS tool bit. These take a much smaller bite and when sharp they cut quite cleanly. Might take a little longer to hollow but probably more controllable. Many of the modern tools for sale currently, such as John Jordan's and Trent Bosch's, use a similar cutter-for a reason. These tools held in a torque arresting system are quite efficient. Also as Richard says above, grain direction is important on the inside of a vessel just as it is outside. Elm should be no more challenging than any other wood with this type of cutter.