Tips and Techniques

Tom Young

Making a Hollow Form Collar

Described here is one way to make a collar for a hollow form.

Carefully measure the diameter of the hole in the hollow form.

Cut a blank, larger than the hole, to turn for the collar. I  prefer to make the collar out of a contrasting wood.

Use a waste block to mount the collar blank on the lathe. I use double face tape to attached the collar blank to the waste block. Use a waste block smaller than the collar blank so you can turn and sand the top edge.

Use another waste block and bring the tail stock up to put pressure on the collar blank. Tighten the tail stock and keep the tension on for a few minutes to allow the collar blank to stick to the double sided tape.

Turn the collar to fit the opening of the hollow form. Check the fit often. The collar should be snug, but not too tight. Also, shape and sand the top edge of the collar.

Remount the hollow form and glue in the collar. Use the tail stock to hold the piece until the glue dries. Do not put too much pressure on piece.

The collar is now ready for shaping.

First, drill a hole in the collar.

Updated January 1, 2008