how do i hollow out this log?

[tpolley]

it's a 6" diameter log. i cut it in half with the table saw. now i want to hollow out both halves. 1 inch in on 4 sides, 1 inch deep for a 2 inch deep compartment.

it's supposed to be a geocache. i'll put some small hinges and a small latch. hopefully it'll look like an ordinary log. it'll be more difficult to find.

i tried a router but that was kind of a *****. next i tried making a bunch of cuts with a circular saw. i figured i would go back with a mallet and a chisel and clean it out.

is there an easier way?

 

[tpolley]

this is what i'm trying to make

 

[fnieto]

Router would be my first choice followed by a chisel to make square corners. You might need to clamp extensions on the router base to keep it true/flat.

 

[Techie1961]

I would probably try sculpting it out with a chainsaw but that's just me and how I do things. Can't be that hard can it... you see chain saw sculpters do it all the time. (famous last works)

Kids, don't try this at home.

 

[Bobcat753]

Use a chainsaw and carve it out using the tip of the bar. Or get the chainsaw blade for grinders from harbor freight. (Carving blade/death wheel)

 

[tpolley]

damn, i never thought of the chain saw. i was even tripping over the damn thing the whole time i was working on this project.

that would be the quickest and dirtiest way of doing it. it does't have to be pretty anyway.

 

[Mustang51js]

Amazon has some 4 inch grinder blades that are mini chainsaw blades,comes up under stump grinder search

 

[chris fresh]

2" Forsner bit in a drill and clean up with a chisel.Fast,easy.

 

[LEVE]

Do it like the Indians when they'd make a dug-out canoe. They'd take the log and set a fire in the middle and let it burn down to a certain point and then quench the fire and take out the char and move on to another area and repeat. It shouldn't take too long...

 

[bullnerd]

There's a tool in the second pic, maybe that's what they used?

 

[RivennHewn]

Bang rocks together until one gets a sharp edge, then scrape and chop it out.

I'd use my carver's adze, but you may not have on in your back pocket.

 

[NKlamerus]

Be VERY careful if you use a chainsaw. Throw back once at the wrong angle and your skull will feel it...

Why not burn it out? Slowly outta do it...it takes time but once it's burnt down just sand it and cover it.

Is your geocache gonna be in a separate box or bag? If not I would use a military can as well, I would also seal the bottom for a little more termite/bird/etc...resistance

 

[velocipede]

2" Forsner bit in a drill and clean up with a chisel.Fast,easy.

+1 on drill and chisel.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Router would be my first choice followed by a chisel to make square corners. You might need to clamp extensions on the router base to keep it true/flat.

Forget the extension. Get a piece of 1/2" plywood about the size of your log. Cut a hole in the center the size and shape of what you want in the log. Attach it to the log with screws and then use a router with a collar. It will take multiple passes but it will do the nicest job.

 

[2CRUZ]

Just use your power saw and set the blade depth to where you want it and cut a lot of grove cuts. Take a hammer and wood chisel and clean it out. It's about a 10 min. job.

 

[JF5000]

I love Geocaching! Just don't try it in Afghanistan....

 

[48RON54]

i love geocaching! Just don't try it in afghanistan....

lol....

 

[lisiecki1]

In order of expense; chainsaw, router, or mill would be my preferred methods.

 

[PugetDude]

Unless you're looking for an excuse to justify that expensive new hollow chisel mortising machine you always wanted, any of the methods described previously would work. I'd use a big forstner bit and a carving gouge (spade bit and a chisel would also work)

Warning: If you use the rotary chainsaw cutter on an angle grinder, there is a good chance that your first geocache will be one of your own fingers.

Make sure you secure the log half securely no matter what you do-trying to drill, chop, cut, grind a rolling half-cylinder won't give you the results you're trying to achieve.

Post pics of the finished cache!

 

[evildky]

The one in your reference pic shows an oscillating multi tool below it, might try one of those. I picked up a cheap sonicrafter at lowes for about $50 IIRC.

 

[Lotek]

Greenwing Macaw would have that hollowed out in a heartbeat, but they are kinda noisy...

 

[cg81]

Come on Tom! Drill a bunch of big holes close together then hammer and chisel.

 

[dogdog]

how about this thing or something similar

http://www.harborfreight.com/22-tooth-carving-disc-7697.html

 

[Mustang51js]

^thats the same thing I was talking about, but I prob wouldn't use it either, doesn't seem very safe lol

 

[Kevin54]

I love Geocaching! Just don't try it in Afghanistan....

My apologies, but I just found it as funny, and my condolences to anyone that has been over there.

 

[James_B]

I did some similar hogging out of a log back in Australia. I used the locally developed Arbortec Pro 4 blade on my angle grinder.

 

[Kingcreek]

air impact chisel

 

[f150skidoo]

Might be a stupid question but whats geocaching.

 

[Kevin54]

Might be a stupid question but whats geocaching.

It's where people bury certain items and others with a GPS will find them, then do the same thing. You find it, then leave something for someone else to find.

This will explain it http://www.geocaching.com/

 

[54FordPanel]

I did some similar hogging out of a log back in Australia. I used the locally developed Arbortec Pro 4 blade on my angle grinder.

I was gonna suggest that.

I've got one of those for woodcarving, and those things GET AFTER IT!

Much better than a chainsaw, you could hollow a log in 5 minutes.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have one of the little chainsaw attachments for the grinder. It works well for small jobs and I still have all of my digits. I can't imagine using it as a stump grinder unless it was a very small stump. And it that case, it would be easy to cut out with an ax.