Hollowing question?

[Mark Hancock]

Bit of advice for when you drill the centre hole depth on starting. Buy a cheap fostner bit about 1" - 1 1/4" and get it welded to the end of a piece of 1/2" bar steel. at the other end leave enough end to fit into a wooden handle, then have a side handle welded on. It works great for drilling to any depth you need for hollowing.

Just make sure you get the 1/2" bar long enough for the job, and run the lathe at SLOW speed while boring, and withdraw often to clear the debris.

Great idea Tam and one I've been using for years. A couple of points:
1. It's more cost effective to get a good quality Saw Tooth (not Forstner) such as Clico as they keep their edge better and last much longer than cheaper versions.
2. Rather than welding the bit to a bar I use 3/4" stainless steel bar, drill a hole in the end for the bit and tap a hole to hold the bit in with a grub screw. This way you a bar for holding other tool bits such as square section HSS bits for hollowing as well as the brill bit.

 

[TEP]

Good pick-up Mark, I meant 'saw tooth' when I said fostner in my last post. Fostner bits don't cut too well in end grain. #-o

It wasn't my idea I had seen Tracy Owen using it.