How to hollow out a log.

1/5

Hello all,

I want to hollow out the top section of this tree stump. I'd like to use the hollow to keep a bottle of Whiskey in. Not because I'm a closet alcoholic stashing booze away, just for novelty value for when chopping a bit of kindling for outdoor chimnea / firepit lighting for when we have people over. The last picture shows the top that I'd just secure with one nail that would then swivel to the side.

I made the first initial small hole just with a hammer and chisel, but soon became apparent that doing the whole thing that way will take waaaaay too long. I have a corded Bosch hand drill that I could buy a long flat wood / forstner drill bit for maybe? I'd need to drill down almost 14 inches though.

I don't have access to any bench drill / lathe type setup so would just be the hand drill available power tool wise.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

in woodworkingby BustaPimms

47%

1.3y

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1.3y

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_WartHog_97

1.3y

I'm a novice but Dads a carpenter, here's his advice :

Drill with a hole saw slightly bigger than your whiskey bottle and then drill multiple holes all in this circle, getting rid of as much material as possible and remove the rest with a chisel, this will only be the depth of the hole saw, roughly two inches but you can repeat it until your drill gets in the way, you can finish the rest with an extended drill bit using the same method but skipping the hole saw. Starting with the hole saw will make the opening nice and even looking.

It's a cool project, good luck 👍

GobHobln

-3

1.3y

Hole saw bits needs to be hollow on the end for it to come out. This will just cut around the approx 2" dimension around it. It would be better to use a Flatwood/Spade bit which also hollows out the center unlike the hole saw. Can drill alot of holes but it would only extend to the length of the bit.

siamonsez

1.3y

You can get extensions, you can also get augers like 12" long. Don't try to get a bit big enough to do it in one go, a hand drill won't be able to run it. You'll have to do a bunch of smaller holes and remove the waste. The burning idea would probably work pretty well if you've removed most of the material drilling holes.

pricehan

1.3y

You could get a "hole saw" bit for your drill. They don't go down very deep, but once the hole is outlined you could then try to use a Dremel or a sawzall or a chisel or something to get the middle piece out.

Not 100% sure how well it would work, never used a hole saw on something more than a few inches thick.

toddliwer

1.3y

Any good way to control a burning of the interior of the log? 🪵

[deleted]

1.3y

I like this one, get some hot coals, tongs, and a fan. Though, I have a feeling the bottle would be empty by the time it gets to depth.

BustaPimms

1.3y

Thanks for all the suggestions. Very much appreciated.

Have ordered a couple of different drill bits with an extension piece too, and am going to start tackling it slowly over the next week.

Will post an update if it works!

Thanks again all.

spook7886

-1

1.3y

You could cure that wood, try to split the log carefully, and reglue it after you hollow it out. Use waterproof glue.

cfreezy72

1.3y

Try boring it with a chainsaw. Won't be perfectly round but it'll do the trick. Then use chisels to break out the middle in small pieces

imthatguyyouknow1

1.3y

If you’re going to use a drillbit, I would suggest a big Forstner bit. You can get big Forstner bits online for 30 or $40. That will get you a nice round hole and a flat bottom. You may have to chisel some of it out to get to the right diameter of the bottle.