I was turning my first piece after about 15 years off from lathe work, making a turned covered box out of a mesquite log. The box, now finished on the outside at 2-1/2 inch diameter, has stopped me cold when it came time to cut out the insides.

Question is, my very limited tool inventory is mainly for bowls, I have one side scraper for making bottoms sqaure and flat, but otherwise, bowl gouges, dome scraper, parting tool.

I know, I need lots more tols, but the question is on this project, which tool would be best suited for this? A fingernail spindle gouge? Something that would allow me to bore the center out, then turn to width?

I tried using the dome scraper, but at 1/2 inch, it was too wide for the and never dug in.

I have read about termite tools, and will pass on those right now, but this end grain is eating my lunch.