Hollow Forms

Hollow Forms are wood turned pieces where the inside is removed. Part of the definition is that the opening of the vessel is very small, often requiring blind access to the inside with your tools.

Specialized tools and techniques are required to be able to core the inside of the wood through such a small hole and to not damage the rim or go through the side of the vessel.

Many of the shapes resemble forms that you would see in pottery or other jar shapes. And of course, your imagination works here too!

		Turning a HUGE Vase by Brian MacIvoy
Brian is into "BIG"!! In this project, he starts with a 600 lb. birch log and turns it into a 60" tall, 1/16 wall thickness vase. Yes, it's an amazing thing to see!! This project is not for the faint of heart!! Each time I see it, I'm in awe!!

	Turning Tagua Nuts by Angelo Iafrate
In this project, Angelo describes how he mounts the nuts for turning. And he talks about the hand-made tools for the hollowing. Turning tagua nuts can be a fun and exciting challenge. You may be taken with it!!

	Start to Finsh - Cherry Burl Vessel by Peter Asselyn
In this photo tutorial, Peter mounts one coarse looking burl with branches and all on his lathe. He shows how he turns it to shape and then shows a couple of shots of his captured hollowing tool. He ultimately hollows it all out and shows us how he jamb chucks it to finish the bottom. He ebonizes the burl as the final step.

		Hollow Forms the Easy Way by Lyle Jamieson
This 90 minute video covers the set up and use techniques for both the Jamieson boring bar system and the Jamieson laser measuring system. Fred Holder, the owner and publisher of More Woodturning, the newspaper for turners did an in-depth review of the video in the March-April 2003 issue. He summed up the review by saying: "For people trying to perfect their techniques for turning hollow vessels this video is excellent. The details that Lyle shows in this video will help you no matter what boring bar system you are using. It is one of the best videos I have ever watched...and the best step by step instructions on turning hollow forms that I have ever seen in a video or in a personal demonstration."

	Making a Hollow Form by Joe Traynham
In this photo tutorial, you can see all the steps required to make a hollow vessel. It covers mounting the wood on the lathe, the process of hollowing out the vessels and the finishing process.

	Turning Hollow Vessels by Howard Lewin
In this fine project, Howard shows how he approaches the task of hollow turning. He shows the different types of tools that can be used and how they are used inside the vessel. He then walks you through the process giving a great overview.

		A lesson with Chris Stott: Natural Edges and Hollow Forms by Chris Stott
Create end grain bowls from branches while retaining the bark as a rim. Chris also demonstrates the advantages of rough turning bowls and explains how to remount them when dry and warped. Full information on relevent tools and equipment.

	Turning Hollow Vessels by Bill Haskell
This project is a list of steps to take in turning a vase. The real value in this project is the image of the homemade turning tools at the bottom of the page. If you're interested in making your own hand held hollow tools, check it out.

	Turning Southwest Hollow Forms by Al Hockenbery
In this project, Al explains how he makes hollow forms. He shows a couple of photo's of the key steps along the way!

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