Spalted Sweetgum hollow form

[VisExp]

I got a chance to use my shop built captured hollowing system with laser. I was really pleased with how it worked. The hollowing progressed smoothly and the laser really helped ensure a consistent wall thickness.

Ever since I read David Ellsworth's book Ellsworth on Woodturning I have been captivated by his "spirit forms". This is my attempt at recreating one. The wood is spalted Sweetgum.

 

[stolicky]

Good job.

My first attempt at a hollow form (a small one) ended up in two pieces across the shop after a nasty catch. I'll eventually get back to attempting one again.

 

[markgum]

awesome, i enjoy doing hollow forms

 

[cnirenberg]

Keith,
Beautiful.

 

[rjwolfe3]

That is gorgeous!

 

[jyreene]

Stunning work Keith.

 

[skiprat]

Sweet!!!:biggrin:

The 'shop built laser thingy' sound intrigueing (sp?)
I've only made one 'bowl-ish' thing and the wall thickness was about an inch!!!!:redface:

 

[Greg O'Sherwood]

Excellent form and beautiful wood Keith!

would you mind posting a pic of your rig? I am thinking about buying or making one, but I can't settle on a design. I understand if you don't want to - in case you may patent it...

 

[VisExp]

The 'shop built laser thingy' sound intrigueing (sp?)

would you mind posting a pic of your rig? I am thinking about buying or making one, but I can't settle on a design. I understand if you don't want to - in case you may patent it...

LOL. No patent. The idea wasn't even mine. I got it from a posting on another forum. I had been struggling with hand held hollowing for a while. The position I seemed to need to stand in was tiring and I kept going through the side and bottom of pieces. I had a monster hollowing tool that I got used here on this forum and adapted it to a "captured" hollowing system with a laser.

You can see pictures of it on my blog

http://syzygypens.com/blog/2009/07/06/captured-hollowing-system-with-laser/

It was simple to build and should be self explanatory from the pictures. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask.

 

[louisbry]

Keith, your hollow form is excellent. Nice wood, very good shape and appears to have thin and uniform thickness. Good job, I would be interested in seeing more of your turnings.

 

[VisExp]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

 

[laurie sullivan]

That's awful purty.........great finish.

Laurie

 

[ngeb528]

Absolutely gorgeous, Keith.

 

[mickr]

this is superb, all the way around....pun intended

 

[broitblat]

(Odd, I thought I had posted a comment before...)

That is a great looking piece! Beautiful wood, great form, nice finish, and well rendered.

-Barry

 

[akbar24601]

Keith, That looks Awesome!!! Very nice job. I was looking at your set up and it looks really cool. Looks like it/you did a great job!

 

[shull]

Beautiful job Keith. I guess I will have to break down and try that Laser "thingie". I read about one somewhere but got distracted by that proverbial rabbit trail.

 

[bitshird]

Keith very nice work, I like the way your Laser is working, are you going to do a Richard Raffan and cut it in half to check?? If you are send it to me, that is a beautiful hollow form, and beautiful wood.

 

[GaryMGg]

Wow, that's nice. Real nice.

 

[VisExp]

Wow, that's nice. Real nice.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Gary, this was the last of the pieces I got from you last year.

 

[GaryMGg]

Gary, this was the last of the pieces I got from you last year.

That sux. Next time we see one another, I'll have to give you some more. :biggrin:
That's a great use of spalted bug condos. :wink: