To improve an item's storage space, to make a part fit better, or to create a hidden hiding place, you may need to hollow out wood.One of the easiest ways to hollow out wood is with a chisel or mallet.You can make hollows with a drill and a woodworking tool.The initial cost of the tool can be high.
Step 1: It's important to Sharpen.
If you're hollowing out a piece of wood, you don't need to use sharpening.A sharper chisel will remove wood more cleanly as you hollow it out, resulting in a more polished finished product.Tosharpen a chisel, drag its end back and forth across a stone in a figure-eight shape that extends the entire length of the stone.If you want to hone the angled side of chisels, keep the bevel flush with the stone as you drag it back and forth.After honing the bevel, hold it flat to the fine side of the sharpening stone and drag it back and forth the same way.
Step 2: Put the piece of wood in a safe place.
The force of chiseling will cause the wood to move.It can be hard to hollow out the wood.It's easier to chisel on yourself if you hold the piece of wood in place with a vise.
Step 3: The chisel should be positioned at an angle to the piece of wood.
The chisel should face downwards at the wood.Hold the handle at an angle and place the end of the chisel against the wood.The deeper you hold the chisel, the deeper it will cut into the wood.The angle the chisel forms with the wood can be adjusted to control the depth.
Step 4: You can hollow out the wood by hitting the chisel with a mallet.
For better control, keep the angle of your chisel low to the wood so you only remove a small amount at a time.Hold the chisel with your non-dominant hand.To shave wood with a mallet, tap the handle end of the chisel.The rubber woodworking mallets are intended to be used with woodworking chisels.Don't use a hammer with chisels.It can be hard to break through the wood's surface.You can help your chisel by etching a small grooves into the wood with a utility knife.You should chisel in the same direction as the wood flows.It will decrease cracking and breaks.
Step 5: You can use a chopping cut to remove wood chunks.
The chisel should be positioned close to the end of the wood.To form an L-shape, hold the chisel straight up-and-down.Hit the chisel with a mallet until it is about a half inch deep, then remove the chunk from the end.chopping cuts are used to send wood particles flying.When using this technique, wear safety glasses.The ends of wood are where the chopping cut works best.The cut in the center of a solid piece is likely to crack.A chisel that is blunt won't work for this technique.Use a chisel that is well-sharpened.
Step 6: For better precision, outline the hollow with grooves.
The saw should be set to the desired depth.The grooves on the wood can be cut with the saw.To hollow out the outlined area, hold your chisel at an angle and tap the handle to shave away the wood.
Step 7: If you want to drill a guide hole, mark your placement.
Only circular shaped hollows can be made using this technique.Use a pencil to mark the position of your hollow.To drill a shallow hole into the wood, use a drill bit.The guide hole needs to break the surface of the wood to work.Guide holes should be as shallow as possible.You don't need a guide hole with softer or unfinished woods.These take little time to drill and will decrease the chances of cracking.
Step 8: Make your hollow by selecting the bit.
You can get a pretty wide range for your hollow with the different sizes of spade bits.hollows can be made with a Forstner bit.Larger hollows can be made with a hole saw.To choose the right bit for your hollowing project, you have to use your best judgement.Pick your bit based on your project's needs.
Step 9: You can drill the hollow with a woodworking bit.
If you want to make your hollow, switch out your drill bit.The bit should be positioned at the guide hole to form an L-shape.To bore a circular hole in the wood, apply moderate pressure to the drill and press its Trigger.sawdust can be kicked up by drilling in this fashion.If you have sensitive lungs, use a breathing mask when using a drill.You will not be able to gauge the depth of this technique.As you drill, keep an eye on the depth of the bit.To determine the depth, hold the drill to the side of the wood.To mark the bit, use a piece of tape.You have reached the right depth when the tape reaches the wood.
Step 10: Multiple holes can be drilled for quicker chiseling.
When hollowing out large areas, use a drill bit to drill several holes.It can be difficult to maintain even depth with this method, but these holes will make chiseling much easier and more precise.If you want to improve depth consistency, you can use a piece of tape to mark the depth of your hollow on your drill bit.
Step 11: A width guide is made.
The area being hollowed out is controlled by a width guide.If you don't have an attachment for setting the dimensions for the hollow, you can make your own by sawing the shape of your hollow into a piece of plywood.
Step 12: Take the guide to the wood and hollow it.
The wood and guide should be firmly held together by using several clamps.The placement of your hollow will be thrown off if your guide moves a little.
Step 13: To set its depth, select a bit.
Depending on the kind of hollow you're making, a different shaped bit might be more suitable.The depth of the bit should be set to the deepest part of your hollow.Don't set the depth of the bit so it's longer than the wood.You could end up cutting through to the other side if you do that.
Step 14: Take the wood out.
The handles can be used to lower the bit into the wood.If you want to repeat the process again, you have to reverse this process and remove the bit.Continue until the hollow is done.A bit of sawdust can be kicked up by a routers.You should always wear safety glasses when operating your computer.Different brands have different procedures for operation.The best and safest results should always be followed by the router.Ebooks can be found online.Sometimes it's quicker to make several holes around the perimeter and through the center with a routers and then chisel out large chunks with larger hollows.