Maple HF, back at the lathe!

[Ben Werner]

Well I was finally able to get back to the lathe... between finals and a trip away I havent been able to turn for what feels like ages, but I'm back!
I also recently got a small hollowing tool from a club member so I figured I would try it out. First HF I cracked when jamming but this one came out excellent (in that it didnt crack or explode). So: What do you think of my first hf? maple, poly then buffed, 2 1/4 high and the rim at the top is 1 1/4 and the base is 1/2 in. PLEASE give me honest critique(especially about the form), I need it to get better.

[Kim Ford]

Ben, I think you did an excellent job. Keep'em comming.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Ben that is a beauty. Keep at it. It will get easier. Keep going.

[Curt Fuller]

Looks great Ben.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice form and a good looking finish! Looks really good for a first HF! Looking forward to seeing your next one!

[Tom Sherman]

Very nice Ben. Good to have you back.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Nicely done Ben!

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Good Job Ben and I like the form. Do you know how thin it is?

[Mike Vickery]

Very nice looking piece.

[Don Orr]

Hi Ben, Good to hear from you and glad you're back at the lathe. I think you have done a nice job on your first HF. The proportions look good, well balanced. This is a difficult form to get right but I think you did well. There is a natural "sag" to it as if there is weight inside-think bag of sand. These smaller pieces are fun to do, but are also good practice to train your eye and mind-and hands-to see good form. The finish is very nice. I see you have started buffing. I recall a conversation about that in the spring .

Nice job. Say Hi to your Dad and have a great summer.

[Jason Slutsky]

Nice job Ben! I hope my first stab at a HF looks that good.

Glad to see you back to work.

Jason

[Ben Werner]

Chris: the rim is about 3/32 but it gets fatter the farther you go in... I was having some major vibration issues with the tool i was using... may just be the way i was cutting I donno.

Don: I eventually just went with buffing wheels from hf and although they had a bunch of strings fly out in the beginning they work well now.

Thanks for the comments guys.
Ben