Hollowing System for a Wood Lathe

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external apparatus that attaches to, or is mounted adjacent to, a woodturning lathe in order to hold and control the motion of cutting tools used for shaping and hollowing vessels and bowls mounted on the lathe. Wood lathes have existed for over two thousand years and most frequently have relied upon handheld tools to accomplish the shaping and hollowing of wood. This approach is adequate for smaller projects involving relatively uniform woods. However, for larger projects utilizing more interesting woods (burls, crotches, roots and stumps) that may include knots, voids, inclusions, debris, metal objects, and complex grain structures, a more robust method for holding and controlling the cutting tools is required. The present apparatus is also useful for wood turners who may be experiencing certain physical limitations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.