How to make a hollow.

[marcros]

Bear with me on this, I don't know how to best describe it.

It I had a small workpiece and I wanted to put a depression in it, I would mount it to a lathe. I would then be able to produce a bowl which would have a perfectly circular hollow.

How would I be able to do something similar on a board that is too big for a lathe? Diameter of the hollow is 3-4", 1" deep.

Hand tool or power tool suggestions welcome.

 

[Lonsdale73]

Cove bit in a router?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

What is the item involved?

 

[Cabinetman]

Gouge it out for a rustic look?

 

[bourbon]

We have done that on our medieval craft display,. Our blacksmith needed a dishing block. Our carpenter set to with a mallet and gouge and made the required shape. once a red hot piece of metal was pounded into it, it smoothed the inside nicely

 

[Trainee neophyte]

Crazy router jig.

 

[Ttrees]

You've obviously seen Alan Peters way of doing it?

 

[Cabinetman]

Must admit I was inspired by him but prefer the fandom look of some of his other pieces. Ian

 

[marcros]

What is the item involved?

it is a cutting board with a couple of recesses in it at the end. I quite like the rustic one but it doesn't suit this project.

 

[JohnPW]

Use gouges, a template to check the curve, then finish off with scrapers.

Could also use calipers or make a depth gauge to mark high points.

 

[novocaine]

Gouges get my vote too but you could use a spoon carving knife.

 

[marcros]

I have a spoon knife actually. I could always drill to near depth to reduce the carving.

 

[EddyCurrent]

A cnc machine with a ballnose tool.

 

[marcros]

A cnc machine with a ballnose tool.

I lack both the machine and the tool!

 

[TRITON]

Crazy router jig.

You can achieve the same using a circle jig and a wedge to angle the router base. You stick the wedge to the router sole, and attach to an adjustable rod, pinned at one end to allow it to swing. The other side attaches to the route by way of one of the guide rail clamps.

Not as angle adjustable as that one and certainly not as impressive looking.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Could you turn the dish you need on the lathe then inlay it into your board? That is how it is done on antique games tables but may not be suitable for a chopping board!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Haha ............... that was why I asked what the item was.

 

[gregmcateer]

How about finding a local buddy with a bigger capacity lathe?
How big is it?