Turning end grain?

[John Torchick]

Is there a rule of thumb for turning end grain? Have a piece of, I believe, cherry mounted on the lathe. Piece is 3-3/8 in diameter and 4-1/4 long. Started to hollow with a Forstner bit but wasn't comfortable with the "action" of the Jacobs chuck in the tailstock. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Well, there are many methods, but most turners including myself, hollow from the center out, using a spindle gouge or a Hunter hollowing tool. For your size piece of wood, these tools should be no problem.

I don't prefer a forstner bit because of the heat produced and the way it leaves a straight hole with a divet in the bottom.

Also negative rake scrapers are a great choice, such as these from D-Way. If you are going to hollow a lot, these tools are an excellent investment and leave a very smooth surface. They also are excellent for blending the interior curve.

1/2" Double-ended Curved NEG Rake Scraper

1/2" Curved Negative Rake Scraper. Double-ended, left & right curve.

d-waytools.com

 

[John Torchick]

Have the scrapers but this is my first attempt. Different than watching a YT video, though. Back to the shop!
BTW, former Buckeye here.

 

[Ron Solfest]

Put a spindle gouge roughly straight into the center, flute pointing ~toward you at ~10 0’clock, and pull the gouge toward you. The bottom of the gouge will cut cleanly. You can adjust the gouge more open/closed depending on how aggressive you want to be.

 

[John Torchick]

Ron, thanks.