• The forum upgrades have been completed. These were moderate security fixes from our software vendor and it looks like everything is working well. If you see any problems please post in the Forum Technical Support forum or email us at forum_moderator (at) aawforum.org. Thank you
  • April 2026 Turning Challenge: Salad Bowl! (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to David Bartell, People's Choice in the March 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Gianni Di Gregorio for "Simple Piercing" being selected as Turning of the Week for April 20, 2026 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Maximum length for end grain box

John Torchick

John Torchick

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
3,419
Likes
1,085
Location
Cleveland, Tennessee
I'm in the process of turning an end grain box but a bit leery of the overall length of the blank which is 2-5/8 not including the tenon; diameter is about 2-1/4 inches. Lathe is a 12x16 if that is anything related to this. I could part it into two blanks and go from there. BTW, I tried hollowing with a spindle gouge as per a noted turner on YouTube...not good. Tried a square end tool...very slow. Did not try a round nose tool, BTW. Your recommendations are most welcome as always.
 
I'm not understanding what your concern is with the blank. 2 5/8 x 2 1/4 should be fine for a box.

There are several options for hollowing a box. I use whatever (usually bowl gouge) to remove material, and then a straight scraper down the side for the final finish.
 
Thanks, Kent. Watched to make sure it didn't break from the tenon.
Watched a YT video by John Lucas, using the Hunter Viceroy #1. Got one. Plus he drilled a hole as a starter for the Viceroy. Back to the shop tomorrow.
 
Using a 1/2" spindle gouge is how I hollow boxes up to about 5" deep. Push the nose straight in then tilt the flute to about 10:30 and cut from the center to the left.
Lately I've been techingvwith the Hunter viceroy. Its very easy for new turners to use and pretty darn fast for me to hollow. I drill a hole in the centervto the depth and then push abd pull like using a scraper. It leaves a finish close to as good as the 1/2" spindle gouge. I always finish cut the inside with the Hunter badger. It leaves a finish that barely needs sanding
 
Length is only a concern if you get near the maximum length of your bed, including the length of whatever is on the spindle and in the quill. DEPTH is an issue. Like John L, I can go up to about 5" deep with my usual tools (1/2" spindle, 3/4" 89 degree ended scraper, Hunter Badger). Deeper than that and I turn to hollowing tools, which I don't really like. John T, why don't you come over for a play date and we can do a couple together?
 
End grain,how long is a piece of string? Go as deep as you wish, for me about 400mm [16"] deep as far as I want go these days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top