This month's challenge was inspired by the Canadian turner Tim Souter. On another forum he recently shared a couple of hollow forms he made that had exceedingly long necks. This is a form seen with weed pots, but not so often with hollow forms. Here are the two pieces he posted, the first in Pine, the second Dogwood:
These have hollow bottoms, as well as a hole that travels all the way through the neck. In Tim's case, he accomplished these by hollowing through the bottom, but there are alternative methods (e.g. think two-piece hollow form, or even a hollow form with an added long collar). I think/hope this is a challenge that can appeal to a wide variety of turners. In addition to this being a beautiful form, it requires some turning and work holding skills. Here is a reference video that may be helpful: Short vase with long neck.
Whatever method you end up using, be sure to have fun and challenge yourself. Feel free to embellish the form as desired, or leave it bare wood (as above). Here are the rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
These have hollow bottoms, as well as a hole that travels all the way through the neck. In Tim's case, he accomplished these by hollowing through the bottom, but there are alternative methods (e.g. think two-piece hollow form, or even a hollow form with an added long collar). I think/hope this is a challenge that can appeal to a wide variety of turners. In addition to this being a beautiful form, it requires some turning and work holding skills. Here is a reference video that may be helpful: Short vase with long neck.
Whatever method you end up using, be sure to have fun and challenge yourself. Feel free to embellish the form as desired, or leave it bare wood (as above). Here are the rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
- Entries must be posted in this thread by ~11:59 pm Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on May 28, 2025.
- Feel free to post a maximum of two photos of your piece in this thread (I will use my favorite of the two when I create the voting thread).
- Your piece can be any size, embellished or natural, one piece or multiple, and must have a hollow bottom and hole all the way through the neck. The latter is the most important requirement, and is likely honor system.
- As always, this is a turning contest, not a "moldy oldie" photo contest, so in fairness to everybody, make sure your work is something you have made since this challenge was issued on May 11, 2025.
- You may not post any photos of your entry in this month’s challenge in any other thread or in the gallery until the voting has ended and a winner has been declared.
- Voting will take place from May 29, 2025, through 11:59 pm EST on June 1, 2025.
- Solicitation of votes will result in disqualification.
- The winner might have to pass a lie detector test before collecting the grand prize of a dogleg high-carbon continental gouge. Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!
. I was looking for a dry piece of wood Saturday to practice a design with my new carver. When I chucked it up I thought about this challenge and look at the thread to see the requirements and decided to go for it.
Actually I used a 12 inch long 3/16" drill bit from Home Depot but first with a regular drill bit with most of the bit in the chuck to start the hole. I then use the long bit and hope that it stays true guided by the first drilling. It usually works but you have to clear the bit regularly.
