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In WOOD magazine’s “Look Inside Hollow Turning,” turner Brian Simmons shows how a drilled starter hole, a straight hollowing tool and a bent tool work together to form a vessel’s interior. The demonstration makes the hidden work easier to understand by showing a cutaway view of the turning; its specific dimensions are an example, not a universal formula.
How the demonstration establishes cavity depth
Simmons begins by drawing the intended base on waste material, then drilling a long starter hole to the desired cavity depth. The hole gives the hollowing tool a clear starting point and a physical reference for depth, reducing guesswork as the cavity is opened. In this example, he leaves about twice the wall thickness at the bottom. That is a detail of this demonstrated vessel, not a general thickness rule for every form or wood.
He then uses a straight scraper in an arm-brace handle, orienting the tool in relation to the centerline and working from the drilled hole toward the side wall. The cutaway view in the video reveals where the tool sits inside the vessel while it is being turned. Watch WOOD magazine’s “Look Inside Hollow Turning” demonstration.
What straight and bent tools do
Straight tools remove most of the waste
A straight hollowing tool is suited to removing the bulk of the material when the tool can reach the area being cut. Starting from the drilled opening, it can work into the cavity and toward the side wall. The shaft’s thickness matters: a thicker shaft may extend farther beyond the tool rest, while a thinner one may fit through a smaller vessel opening.
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- The hollowing tools allow for a controlled guiding for woodturning novices as well as professionals and require neither adjustment of the cutting depth nor sharpening.
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Bent tools reach beneath the opening
A bent tool changes the cutting reach so it can work into undercuts that a straight tool cannot conveniently access. The companion WOOD guide describes straight tools for most waste removal and bent tools for reaching those otherwise inaccessible areas. For many forms, it recommends starting with one of each rather than buying a large assortment. See WOOD magazine’s guide to hollow-turning tools and opening size.
How opening size affects access
A narrow opening can make the cavity less visible, but it also makes the interior harder to reach. Tool choice therefore depends on both the interior shape and the path through the opening: a tool must fit inside and reach the area that needs cutting. A bent tool can help with an undercut, but the shaft still has to pass through the opening; a larger shaft may limit that access.
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- INCLUDES: 3pcs Stainless Steel Hollowing Tool Set with Handles and Combination of Insert Cutters - Extra Long Straight | Shallow Swan Neck | Deep Swan Neck, and 1pc 2mm Hex Key Wrench
- APPLICATIONS: The different types of hollowing tool bars allow you to hollow out a vessel to different degrees of curvature and precision. The straight bar is the most versatile, but it can be difficult to use for curved surfaces. The shallow swan neck is a good option for starting curves, while the deep swan neck is best for getting into tight spaces
- FEATURES: Mounted to shafts made of solid stainless steel square bar stock, mirror-polished (for durability). The extra-long (15-1/2”) handles are made of solid, smooth, ergonomic hardwood for a comfortable grip and coupled with stainless steel ferrules.
- REPLACEABLE INSERTS: The replaceable inserts can cut faster without binding, and are made to withstand the abrasive nature of wood and maintain sharpness, resulting in smoother and more precise woodworking applications for long-term durability
- EASY TO USE: These wood hollowing tools are suitable for woodworkers of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. They have a simplified learning curve, with no complicated angles to learn or remember. Suitable for medium to large bowls, hollow form projects, deep hollow forms, but also popular with ornamental and craft projects
The companion guide recommends a 5/8-inch straight-and-bent set for many forms up to about 8 inches in depth and diameter. Those figures are the guide’s practical recommendation, not a guaranteed limit or universal capability for every tool, lathe, material or vessel design.
When a supported hollowing rig may help
The WOOD demonstration shows a hand-held tool in an arm-brace handle. For deeper work or hollowing through a narrow opening, a supported or captive rig is another approach: its support can help control tool movement, cutting forces and rotational torque. Woodworkers Institute describes that general function for hollowing rigs, while Canadian Woodworking discusses a captive bar rig and stabilizing bars. These are descriptions of tool categories, not comparative tests or a requirement for every hollow-turning project.
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- Designed specifically to reach the material inside a hollow form vessel that cannot be reached with straight shaft tools.
- The Simple Swan Neck Hollower can be used with a the interchangable handle, the hollowing system or your custom made handle.
- American made in Ramsey, Minnesota by Harrison Specialties, a family owned and operated CNC Machine shop
- Features a square shaft so the flat back can be kept flat on the tool rest and level with the floor (not possible with round shaft tools)
- Both beginners and experts alike will appreciate how simple it is to complete hollow forms with this tool.
Read Woodworkers Institute’s overview of hollowing rigs and Canadian Woodworking’s introduction to hollow turning for further descriptions of supported approaches.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the tool around the form
- For an open form and a straightforward cavity: A straight tool can remove most of the waste, following the depth and starting position established by the starter hole.
- For an interior with an undercut: Add a bent tool if it can pass through the opening and reach the area to be cut.
- For a narrow opening: Check shaft clearance and reach before choosing a tool; reduced visibility does not mean easier access.
- For deeper work or greater tool support: Consider a supported or captive rig as an option, rather than assuming a hand-held setup suits every reach.
The useful lesson in Simmons’s cutaway demonstration is the relationship between the starter hole, the tool’s path and the vessel opening. The hole sets a starting point and depth reference; straight and bent tools address different areas; and the opening determines what can physically reach the interior.
Quick Recap
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- ✅10mmx10mm Straight Square Tool Shank Made of Fine Polished Stainless Steel. The Length of the Shank inserted into the Handle is Adjustable according to your need.
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- ✅Including one set Replaceable Carbide Tip Insert installed on chisel. Rougher: 11x11x1.75mm (4-sided Square) Carbide Tip. Finisher: 12mm Diameter Round Carbide Tip. Finisher: 9mm Diameter Round Carbide Tip. Detailer: 28x10mm Diamond Shape Carbide Tip. Blade images on product picture are only for Clear Vision and the images don't mean a extra set blades included in package.
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- OUR TURNING SYSTEM INCLUDES - (1) 11'' Tool Handle, (1) 9.8'' Handle Extension, (3) Carbide Cutter Tool Shafts (Circle, Square, Diamond), (1) Swan neck Carbide Cutter Hollowing Tool, (1) T15 Wrench, (1) Allen Wrench, (1) Aluminum Protective Case With Foam Insert.
- MATERIAL - Tools are made with tungsten carbide tips for extended cutter life, stainless steel arbor for strength and durability, and aluminum oxide alloy handles for grip, comfort, and durability.
- INDEXABLE CUTTER DESIGN – Indexable carbide cutter inserts can be rotated or replaced to provide a fresh cutting edge whenever needed, ( Click the "Aogbra Store" to order replace carbide cutter inserts when you need )
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