Making Lemonade out of Lemons
steve antonucci
>So the other day, I was hollowing out a piece of Mesquite with a 1/4" Gouge, when a catch caused to gouge to snap about 3" of the flute off. After a few choice words, I thought to myself...
"What can I do with this?"
After resharpening the remaining flute, I began thinking about taking the remaining 3" and making "hollow bar" bits. I assumed that I could easily cut to length with a Dremel and a cutoff wheel. As it turns out, I knocked the former lead edge of the gouge off in about 30 seconds.
I then went to my homemade hollow bar, which accepts 1/4" bits. Karma. No additional steps required. I placed the bit in the ~45 degree hole, and went to try it out.
This thing cuts so fast and effortlessly, that it has probably knocked my hollowing time in half. I hollowed a 12" Cherry crotch yesterday (1/4") with it in about 1 hour. It's like having a bowl gouge inside the hollowform.
Sorry for the picture quality, but if you look closely, you'll get the idea. A set screw hold it in place.
So if you have a "used up gouge" laying around, or have some broken tips, here's something you can do with them.
Steve
P.S. Yes, my garage windows are that dirty...
