Hollowing out a big chunk of wood

The only thing I can think of would be something like a tank cutter perhaps, but you wouldn't have got anywhere near the satisfaction you have from doing it like you did!

One option is a bandsaw. Same process - cut the ends off, then saw out the middle. You will need to cut through the side to get to the middle, but that will be very easy (and invisible) to glue back together when done.

e.g.

You could probably cut out a square or rectangular interior using plunge cuts with a chainsaw. (finish would be a bit rough though!)

In message snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net>, Jeff Gaines <jgaines snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk> writes

Powered morticer? If you don't have a lathe, one of those is also unlikely. Consider that the fledglings need a rough interior to help their climb to the exit:-) Blue T*ts in Hertfordshire seem fatter than expected by the RSPB specified 25mm entrance hole. Ours ignored the standard box but nested in one I made with a 28mm hole.

Scarcity of sparrowhawks then

Probably. There was one hunting the garden hedgerows last year but I have seen only one pile of stripped feathers recently.

People make honey bee nesting boxes like that, only much bigger. log hives is the term to enter in your search engine. Seems to be done with a chain saw. TW

Plunge cut with a chainsaw?

This could be scary, depending on the type of chain.

Or split the log, gouge out the hollow, reglue, possibly reinforced with wire holding the two halves together?

Thomas Prufer

Thanks everyone. No chainsaw or band saw here.

If I do this again, I might try a big forstner bit.

Quick and traditional way to do this from a long is to take two 1" discs off the ends to make lids. Then quarter the middle log through the central heart. Split off the inner heartwood to hollow it. Drill an entry hole.

Then re-assemble with big fencing staples, and some nails for the ends. A couple more staples make mounting ties.