Hi woodworkers
I’ve recently picked up a few tools to get into artisanal woodwork, and I want to do 1 or 2 projects that entails hollowing out natural branches.
The “perfect” outcome would be something similar to bamboo shoot, which have a narrow edge and hollow center. I’m not really expecting to be able to do this by hand with millimetric accuracy, but it gives you an idea of what I’m aiming for.
I own a high-speed rotary tool that is “technically” able to carve wood, but the bits I own atm are more of a finish toolkit. I successfully used a sanding head to carve out some wood, but I don’t think it’s remotely optimal for projects any bigger than what I was working on.
So all this context leads to this question: What would be the optimal tool to efficiently hollow out a branch? I can’t reliably use a drill, because there’s no certainty that the branches I’ll work with will be remotely straight, I’m guessing that a mill file could get me some mileage but it sounds like a last resort kind of tool.
I saw a youtube pipe maker using a hot wire to burn holes in green branches for pipe stems. General theory being that the pith would burn easier than the sapwood, so the wire would follow the natural curve of the wood. Obviously only works on relatively small diameter branches, but the general idea of fire forming might be helpful.
Might be worth doing some research into how the Australian Aboriginals make didgeridoos:
https://didgeworkshops.com.au/Making-a-Didgeridoo
TLDR: Use termites to hollow it out for you.
Dunno if that suits your use case, and I dont know how you avoid them going rogue and eating the rest of the wood, but worth some consideration if you have access to termites.
Somewhat inconvenient but fun thought experiment
Definitely is a bit inconvenient. But if you already have termites, may as well put them to work :D
Search up how to make shrink pots, they are effectively cups made from hollowed branches. The center can be bored out, or carved with a long and skinny knife. A gouge can also be used
Had no idea those were a thing, I’ll be reading up on them, thanks!