Ya' gotta know your limits!

[Roger Chandler]

Well, I turned my first ever funnel tonight! I decided to go try my new steady rest on a maple blank and was turning a smallish [think 5 -6 inches high] maple vase with a really nice form.

I just had to go back for those last two or three passes on the hollowing to smooth everything out, and get it nice and thin............well I was eyeballing it, and did not take time to measure with the calipers.........I mean, I had never went too far before, so whats the problem right?

Gee whiz! I was really liking this one, even though I was using the old hand held tools to hollow with..........I could just kick myself! Ya gotta know your limits, and I did not!

Now, I've got an egg cup for the bottom half, and a funny looking funnel for the top! At least there was one positive............my shop made steady rest works like a charm!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Yup... Welcome to the world of hollowing!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Roger,

When the idiots here first pushed me into the Vortex, they had a funnel making contest just so I could past the hurdle. Welcome!

[Don Alexander]

funnels are useful ...................... at least thats what i tell myself

[Jim Burr]

Funnels need love too...right?!

[John Keeton]

Roger, normally pics are required for a post to be believable, but in this case, we believe you!!! And, I will note that while I am pretty sure the invention of the laser was for other purposes, surely, using it for turning HFs is one of the most useful purposes!!

[Roger Chandler]

John & Steve,

Tell me, did either of you ever turn a funnel when hollowing? Be careful now, I want the unvarnished truth!

Is turning a funnel a prerequisite for becoming a master in turning? I need something to encourage me and give me hope for the future, elsewise, I might just become disillusioned at my heroes in turning.

I think I must have gotten Norm Abrams advice backwards.........he said, "measure twice, cut once," I think I cut twice and did not measure so now at least I had better get set in my mind to use those calipers that I let just hang there on my magnetic strip on my turning cart.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Roger you have just joined the club. I keep one above the lathe to remind me everytime I want to take one final cut.

[Paul Douglass]

Square off the cut through parts glue on some contrasting wood, delete this thread and start a new thread announcing your first segmented hollow forum! No one will ever know.

[John Keeton]

Roger, I have not made a funnel with a HF, but I sure did with a goblet!! I was trying to turn it ultra thin - and, was successful! The only thing holding it together was a single layer of wood cells. Apparently, it wasn't sufficient to withstand the spin of the lathe.

When I first started the hollow forms, doing them "pre-Monster rig", I was ultra careful. Also, the calipers can be very deceptive unless you measure across the thickness accurately. It is easy to have them at a slight angle, giving a reading of more thickness than is there. I actually used a depth gauge (just a dowel) moreso than calipers. Sound is also a great indicator of thickness. Pecking on the form with a metal object and listening for slight variations in tone. Takes a lot longer, but works.

[Peter Fabricius]

Hi Roger;
Yes a funnel was in my past... probably also in my future.
I like Paul's suggestion and would like to see the really nice HF that you have in progress, it just needs a little TLC and an insert to become a final form.
I hope you try to fix it. Fixing little things like this are called "design opportunities"
good luck
Peter F.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Roger - in all honesty - I have not turned a hollow form funnel - yet. But there is a reason for that - I use a tenon to hold the work and when finished I always reverse and turn the tenon into a slight recess. No matter how thin the hollow form, hopefully, I leave enough wood at the bottom to allow for the recess.

I did turn a couple of bowls that when held to the light - you could see light through the bottom recess. Didn't go all the way through but scared me enough that I really try to pay attention when hollowing! Doesn't mean I won't turn a funnel at some point.... I just try to be aware of when the piece is getting to that dangerously thin phase!

[Roger Chandler]

Paul,

I think the small size of this one, and the razor thin edge where I hollowed thru are not conducive to putting a contrasting ring on it to make it segmented, if I did it would have to be most of the body with a maple top!

John and Steve, thank you for admitting you have not turned a HF funnel as of yet ............now I am feeling more aggravated at myself, because, as I supposed, it is NOT inevitable!

Bernie, if you were near, I might want to borrow a shoulder to cry on [just kidding] that piece did not mean that much!

Seriously.......I appreciate all your responses..........I am having fun on this forum!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Roger - one other thing to take into consideration - I use a laser! Once you get used to using one - you know where you are at all times while inside the form. Haven't used calipers for a long time - but I do have them!

[Michael James]

I have a nice chunk of cherry with a great bark inclusion that shedded a neck - then decided it did not want to be a bowl either. So its on top of the pile for pieces that need other pieces. Lesser wood has just gone to the fireplace!