Richard Raffan on back-hollowing into endgrain

Back-hollowing is a shear-cutting technique that enables rapid hollowing into endgrain. It is not recommended for hollowing into cylinders larger than 75mm/3-in diameter. It is not a facework/crossgrain technique.
For in-depth explanations of the tools and techniques you need to refer to Richard Raffan’s woodturning books and videos. www.richardraffan.com.au/book...

[@tricolorturners]

Most detailed explanation I have seen or read on the topic to date. Your videos now have the missing parts filled in. Very useful. Thanks!

[@davidbrough8277]

End grain always bothered me until now this was the best video ever. Thanks for the tips

[@hermeshaustin6982]

You're a legend in the wood turning world! Your high skill level has definitely elevated mine. Love your videos, thank you!

[@Penqueen2010]

Everyone of Richard Raffan's videos are always very helpful and informative too

[@GreenDeetype]

Thank You - Greetings from Germany.

[@Stillnapie]

I learned this from Mr Raffan's videos decades ago. Once mastered it is an amazing way to hollow small work, so fast and smooth and really not too difficult.

[@siberus90]

Hello colleague. Very glad to see.How glad I am that a person has appeared who works correctly. This is very good work. So the European style is very good.My work style is different. But you are doing great. Excellent wood cutting.👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@keith726able]

I've used this technique you taught me on your VCR tapes for 30 years! It's a wonderful technique for making boxes. Just keep the bevel rubbing, even while it's upside-down. Gentle pressure on the bevel. Works like magic! Thank you Richard!

[@edwardchapman1914]

Yes, and a huge contribution to my success with this technique is the wings need to be spoon shaped, at least for me.I have never been able to do this with a gouge someone has sharpened on a jig. Maybe I am to stupid to use a jigs correctly to achieve the nice spoon wings, which is quite possible as I know must folks use these jigs.

[@keith726able]

@Edward Chapman I sharpen on a Wolverine jig. The secret is to keep the bevel rubbing the wood with light pressure, even though it's upside-down. Keep trying - when you get the feel, it's effortless. Light touch.

[@amospeterson3251]

Richard, greetings from Virginia Beach Virginia! Thanks for an awesome demonstration as usual! I have watched it now about 17 times, just to get as much out of it as possible! I learned a lot from your techniques and explanations. Thanks again! Amos

[@galabiri]

Dear Richard, thank you so much for this video. I have just realized I could have turned all my wooden cups a lot easier by using your method with the bowl / spindle gouge, , if I had only watched this video earlier.

[@stevekubien6680]

"Well, you don't have an object left". That is a wonderful way of putting it.

[@youenn2180]

Great lesson , from a woodturner with a long experience , who has learned to really feel the tool , who even sharpens them his own way , that have somehow become an extension of his hands but for less gifted people it is a challenge , first to just dare turn that way but it's worth taking it up , slowly and carefully..

[@spiritoflights]

One of the most enjoyable techniques of all turning! and that little pimple in the bottom will never sand out you must remove it with a scraper to get the nice clean flowing line I once hear smooth flowing movements lead to smooth flowing lines of course we all know who that was Mr Richard Raffan ,Thanks Richard once again for sharing such wisdom.

[@jamescarter8813]

Great Explanation Richard. Thanks you for sharing your years of knowledge.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Really interesting technique! Thank you very much for sharing it with us!

[@joefernandes1359]

Thank you. Always a pleasure to watch and learn from your expertise.

[@MikeWaldt]

Great demo Richard Cheers Mike

[@MarklTucson]

Thank-you for this. I’ve read this in your box book and have seen other turners demo it, but this was the clearest explanation I have seen

[@DennisSuitters]

Excellent video Richard, really appreciate you doing these, thanks for sharing. Off to the next one, lol.

[@ade-woodcrafts]

Thank you very much for this demonstration! By chance I discovered all by myself this method of hollowing and I was unsure of it. Now I know that this is the way to go❤️

[@alansimpson596]

Excellent tutorial Richard so many thanks.

[@douglasperry1226]

Awesome end grain turning video by the way! ✌🏼💫🪵

[@rev.twilson7300]

Richard, now your just showing out. I'm scared to even try this. You make it look so easy. This is a beautiful cut. I just keep watching this video over and over. Thank you for posting your videos, there are great. I have learned so much from them.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You should give it a go and expect a few bits to go flying before you get the hang of it.

[@samuronkanen1307]

Thanks Richard for showing the technique.

[@gordroberts53]

Hello Richard! This is bay far the best Woodturning instructional video I’ve seen anywhere. This is a technique I’ve heard of, tried once or twice heath rather explosive results) and took the quit while I’m ahead route. Today I saw clearly what I was doing wrong (everything) and will be giving this a serious effort in near future. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This technique and it's variants have been around for a very long time. You can expect to have quite a few catches and totally split blanks learning to get the balance right. As always minimal tool pressure against the wood is the key. Learning on blanks projecting less than 4-in/100mm from the chuck makes catches less exciting.

[@glennconstable3789]

Thanks Richard - thanks for sharing your vast knowledge.

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

Fantastic! Very useful demonstration.

[@MadonnaThornton.Woodworks]

This is really cool!! I had no idea you could do that! Very nice and hollows so much faster than normal! Will continue to watch your videos sir! Thank you!!

[@gladturningswoodturningpat8160]

Thank you for putting this video up. I have seen very few use this technique so had difficulty putting it into practise but this video has helped me a great deal although I’ve still a way to go.

[@kevinboyle1285]

Thank you for the demonstration. This is one of few cuts I couldn't get from your book.

[@GeraldJensen]

Great information ... thanks for an excellent demo!

[@tomislavtomasicwoodturning]

Awsome demo..... I did try it myself a while ago and its really great way to remove bulk,a bit more practice on my part but love this trick to have in my repertoar ..... Thank you mr. Richard

[@svenskjimand]

Really helpful. I took a few screen shots at key points to write on and jog my memory. Now to practice.

[@knightlylad]

Excellent lesson, thank you very much.

[@ValioMadre7]

Great demo, appreciated very much. Thanks,

[@ChessTurner]

Perfect job, thank you so much for great video

[@jayscott306]

Impressive. I'd be wary to try it myself, if it weren't for that excellent explanation and demonstration of why it works. Today I was praising new forstner bits and an extension, and they will help me in a lot pf circumstances. But not in basic box making once I figure out Mr. Raffan's method.

[@keith726able]

Don't be afraid! Try it on some scrap green wood. You'll throw away the fostner bits, this only takes seconds, with no set-ups.

[@denisvienat849]

C’est un excellent travail Richard et quel maîtrise des gouges bravo 🙏👍👏🇨🇭

[@arthilliker3721]

LOVE to watch a master !! Thank You !!

[@dennysch6941]

Excellent vid Thank you

[@glencrandall7051]

Obviously one needs a pretty good supply of green stock as it will take a bit of practice. I will need to run this video again and a bit slower in order to see how the tool encounters the work. Thank you for sharing. Have a great 2022 and stay safe.👍

[@raydriver7300]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing 🌞

[@Cancun771]

Fantastic and underrated.

[@teddy21]

Thank you for this lesson! :)

[@attilathehamster6774]

'How does he do that without a catch?' I asked myself, just as he gets a catch. Certainly a very efficient technique.

[@Festus171]

Brilliant! I can't wait to try it. I learned primarily from KZbin wood turners like Mike Waldt and others who have enabled me to create some cool stuff. Hollowing has been intimidating and exciting... this technique looks like it will reduce time and risk. Thanks for sharing!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Mike Waldt is good. Back hollowing is fast once you get the hang of it, but expect to heave blanks out of the chuck at first, and expect to split a few walls as they get thin.

[@smockytubers1188]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I wasn't in a hurry to try it but after reading this comment and thinking how spectacular that must be, I'm going to give it a few gos this evening.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@smockytubers1188 Good luck. There's lots that can go wrong, so give it more than just a few goes.

[@tomcoker9882]

Thanks for another informative video. I haven’t tried this technique yet, but I may after my shark jaw order for my Axminster chuck arrives. Cheers, Tom

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@larryhill6187]

Most efficient way of hollowing a small end grain vessel l have seen will try soon

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Be prepared for heavy catches and heaving blanks out of the chuck as you learn. Best at first to used blanks projecting less than 100mm (4-in) from the chuck.

[@larryhill6187]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning The catches are a given watching the video. If the tool, blank, and me survive it will be a efficient means of hollowing. I enjoy your KZbin videos as well as your DVD’s. I am some what new to woodturning with about 20 bowls and boxes to my credit. With some of the credit to you thanks

[@robhoward9504]

Awesome. Thank you!

[@jaxcavatorclarke9622]

Nice. Il try again

[@davidcochran9322]

Masterclass!

[@leroy5007]

Thank you

[@ronreynolds8207]

Thanks!

[@canterburyfishingadventures]

Very good video, I was a bit scared to use my spindle gouge and instead used my scraper and wonder cup tool. Only problem was that I had a huge amount of vibration and it took me ages.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You should give it a go. Expect to pull blanks from the chuck and catches whilst learn, but once mastered it's a very satisfying technique. And fast.

[@bobh5616]

Magic!

[@hanstusk1731]

Exelent job! At what speed should you cut holes?

[@marcbrennan9343]

Thank you, I’ve always wondered about the mechanics of that hollowing method. Given how aggressive the cut is though, would you reserve it solely for green, or semi-green wood? Thanks again for the very informative videos.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It works as well on tropical hardwoods but with less dramatic shavings.

[@marcbrennan9343]

Brilliant, thank you kindly

[@MD-en3zm]

I have been trying this one without great success yet. I seem to get a lot of vibration and then small catches, especially as the gouge emerges from the wood. I’ll keep at it though!

[@sethwarner2540]

Man! No matter how long I watch you deftly moving that tool around the wood I justhave to watch a little bitmore... Its time togo to bed-its 1:30 in the morning! OK, I will just get another piece of toast while you make a box in 5 seconds!!Oh! Theres a video on the skew chisel; I NEED to see how youdo that! And on it goes! Again, it just seems you decide to do something with a piece of wood, and it jumps and says" OK! do you want that in blue? purple? Yessir! Right away sir!I swear, you could do all this with youreyes closed! Its time for church! I can't look anymore!

[@ShevillMathers]

Does this technique work with dry hardwood? Excellent demonstration, thank you. Greetings from Tasmania Australia.👍🇦🇺🦘

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It works as well on hardwoods like gidgee and mulga or Tas. blackwood but with less dramatic shavings.

[@stevenholton438]

Can I grind down my 1/2" straight across bowl gauge or will I need it elsewhere for sure please Richard? TIA!

[@darkconspiracy559]

Great video❤️ thanks for the instructions I've got a question , were the logs wet or dry and what type of wood were they ?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Fortunately I say at the beginning it's green box elder, because I wouldn't remember. The technique is just as effective on well-seasoned exotic hardwoods like cocobolo or gidgee.

[@darkconspiracy559]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you

[@patricktanks1729]

What kind of gouge do you use ? Just a normal spindle gouge it a fingernail one ?

[@Allan-loveswoodturning]

Very interesting Richard. How would you approach a much deeper piece ?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Hollowing deeper into endgrain I drill a depth hole first, then back hollow to about 75mm/3in, maybe slightly more depending on the diameter of the opening. After that it's scrapers, typically using a ¾-in square end scraper x ⅜-in thick, and a similar size round-nose to finish if the inside involves curves. The techniques are similar to those used for the pencil pot video.

[@joliekarno]

Brilliant! What sort of grind are you using there? The spindle gouge looks shallow and I'm wondering what degree you sharpen to?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You get a good view of the edge from 2:50 to 3:30. The basic angle is 40°- 45° but it's removing the bevel angle (3:11) that makes cutting easier.

[@joliekarno]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thanks!

[@chrishooker1137]

I note your comment that this method is not suitable for larger work. May I ask what technique you do use for larger (say 100-200mm dia.), especially with the endemic Australian hardwoods? Many thanks for the demonstration.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'd be using scrapers or a Berger Hollowing Tool. Depends on how wide or deep you're hollowing.

[@chrishooker1137]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you Richard.

[@robertcornelius3514]

I can only imagine not using this technique on exotic woods from South America.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Back hollowing works just as well on Mulga, gidgee, African blackwood, cocobolo. I don't recall a wood I couldn't back hollow into when it was the only technique I knew..

[@robertcornelius3514]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning , and again, this technique is only used to hollow out end grain. Yes?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@robertcornelius3514 Back hollowing is strictly for endgrain.

[@user-tx8mv4mr7r]

Good good

[@Allan-loveswoodturning]

Hi Richard am I right in thinking back hollowing only suitable with wood approx 60ml or is it possible to backholow larger pieces like 200ml. From a beginner. Kind regards

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I have used back hollowing inside 130mm diameter to a depth of about 150mm using a 1-in. gouge, but wouldn't recomment it as it gets far too exciting - and there are way more effecient methods for hollowing endgrain on a larger scale. Best to keep back hollowing for removing the insides of 75mm diameters.

[@stevenholton438]

I'm left-handed and paraplegic and I'm using a right hand scraper to do the other side! Any other solutions?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Being left handed makes life difficult for a lot of turners, but it sounds like you've found a solution to hollowing. I can't really offer advice without know a lot more about your mobility. It's the sort of thing that needs hands-on advice.

[@garylawrence7547]

GREEN box elder is the key here. Try to do this with a piece of Angelique wood. I dare you.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I've never encountered a timber I couldn't hollow using this technique. I've never heard of angelique but I doubt it's much harder or as hard as Aftican blackwood, gidgee, cocobolo, mulga, hard maple, Cooktown iron wood or other assorted very hard exotic hardwoods that I've used in production or in response to similar challenges during club demonstrations. If angelique is popular and commmercially available in your part of the world, chances are it'll be easy to work.

[@sweetlandsheatingcooling9039]

Thanks!