There are times when I am unable to use either of my bowl steadys because of flaws, voids, or other irregularities. I'll keep the rubber band idea in mind, and use it when it applies to my particular needs.
Thanks for adding your ideas, John........:cool2:
Out of curiosity......I assume your cupcakes are end grain hollowed. What size, rpm, and tool are you using? (Gouge, or scraper) Are you using a variety of wood species, and do you find different species may effect the performance of your methods and tools?
Most of my work is cross-grain bowls, but I do have occasion to hollow out some small bowls of similar size to your cupcakes. With most work where obtaining a finely produced "tool finish" is necessary before sanding, and eliminating chatter, or vibrations is problematic, I find it beneficial to bring the finished interior wall surface level down gradually in depth, prior to lowering the depth of the rest of the interior. This way, the stabilizing effect of the bulk interior waste wood is used for as long as possible before eliminating it. Any chatter at all destroys an otherwise finely created "tool finish", so your rubber band idea could be used in conjunction with my methods of eliminating as much wood vibrations as possible, through the use of tools and technique. First preference would be to use a bowl steady, but as said previously, sometimes that option isn't available to me. My goal is to eliminate as much sanding as possible, and I will use whatever method or technique I can to get there.
I can foresee myself using this rubber band idea from time to time.
(Disclaimer: Because of past input on this forum, I must point out that what works best for me, may not be what works best for everyone else......or, anyone else, for that matter. First class results are the ONLY thing that count, and there is often more than one path to that final destination.)
ooc