22
submitted 3 weeks ago by Kinperor@lemmy.ca to c/woodworking@lemmy.ca

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Opinionhaver@feddit.uk 14 points 3 weeks ago

Depends on the type of branch but you could split it in half, carve out the insides and then glue it back together.

[-] Kinperor@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 weeks ago

Indeed, I think splitting the branch will be mandatory to get some carving done.

I'm not sure what would be the best tool to do the carving, however. I'm considering getting some wood scissors, because it's not immediately obvious to me which power tool could carve out material with a nice mix of accuracy and efficiency.

[-] Transform2942@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I think the exact tool you're looking for is called a spoon chisel. I'm only barely into the craft, but it seems like a set of chisels is one of the fundamental tools of a woodworker.

I also think your best results when cutting the branch in half is going to be on a band saw of some kind

[-] Kinperor@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah I've been meaning to get a chisel set, of the few projects I did I certainly had a few moments where I thought a chisel would be handy.

load more comments (3 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2025
22 points (100.0% liked)

Woodworking

7158 readers
20 users here now

A handmade home for woodworkers and admirers of woodworkers. Our community icon is submitted by @1985MustangCobra@lemmy.ca whose father was inspired to start woodworking by Norm and the New Yankee Workshop.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS