first hollowing tools

Re: first hollowing tools *LINK*

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>12" deep is going to be tough w/o spend at least a couple $100. I would suggest the Don Pencil Scorpion set available for about $230 from Lee Valley. With is you will have a first class setup for big and small, for not much $$$.

You can go cheaper, but to also have quality, you will end up with tools for smaller turnings.

If you can stand to just do stuff 8" deep, I love my Sorby Hollowmaster, that you can buy for about $65 many places.

Just my opinion.

Mark


http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=49126&category=1,330,49232&abspage=1&ccurrency=2&SID=

Make some

steve antonucci in NW New Jersey

>Go to your local home center and get some cold rolled steel (5/8"). Comes in 3' bars. Drill a hole in the end to hold a cutter, and another to hold a hex-headed locking screw.

I've made a variety of these bars, and they work great. Can't understand why folks spend big $$$ on things that don't cut...

Steve

Re: first hollowing tools

Phil Joines, Krum, Tx

>The best tool depends somewhat on the shapes and openings you want to do. If you are near the north Texas area come by and try some I have most of the types on the market.

Steve, Can you post a few of pics of your tools?

Ron in Drums PA

>

Cheap tools

steve antonucci

>First a hollow boring bar. To make these two tools, I purchased 1 5/8" cold rolled rod and cut in half. ($4)

then drilled three holes: one in the center of the rod running lengthwise (1/4" x ~1" deep), one in the end of the rod @ 45 degrees or so (picture shows cutter in that position), and one that intersects both holes (tapped for a set screw)

It is important to have length and mass on these tools. Lots of forces to deal with. The arrest torque, I hold the shaft with a Vise Grip, but I've been thinking about adding a permanent handle or torque bar.

Boring bar - about 30" 

steve antonucci

>

Bent bar for undercutting

steve antonucci

>Here's one I'm working a redoing. It holds a flat cutter and also a 1/4" bit with a flat ground surface. By being out of the center line of the tool, this one has some wicked torque issues. I bent it by heating it in the fireplace (that's why it's black) and mashing it with a hammer on the garage floor. It needs to have another bend in it to move the cutter in line with the centerline of the tool.

A through screw hole with a nut and bolt hole the flat cutters, and I add a "thick washer with a groove in it" to hod the 1/4" cutters I use.

Hope this helps.

Both tools: about $5

Thanks Steve

Ron in Drums PA

>I'm in the middle of making one myself and kinda stalled. Thanks again for the pics, it will get me going again.

Re: Cheap tools - tool bits lin *LINK*

Fred in NC

>1/4" square HSS tool bit blank:

ENCO Model #383-5316 59 cents ea qty 10

They also carry round tool bits.

They are available from other sources as well.


Enco tool bits

Re: first hollowing tools

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>If price is a critical issue, then make a tool as Steve describes. I suggest makin one where the cutter is at a 45 degree angle also. I have made a pair of tools from 3/8" HSS drill rod which are my favorite for hollowing ornaments. I used a press to make the bent tool. My favorite commercial tool is the Stinger/Scorpion but the Sorby tool is a good starter.

My best advise is to make a few of your own and play around with the design. I have a drawer full of commercial and homemade tools however I use only a few routinely.

John

Boring Bar

Phil Joines, Krum, Tx

>I build these for the local guys. The cutters, except for the bent tool can be used just as well in a handle. I've added a reverse curve to the bent tool so that it can be used with a handle as well.

I use an accalene torch for the bends. The cutters are 1/4" dia. from ENCO CA glued into the holes. I've also started building lasers that use AA batteries because the button cells in the pointers don't last very long.

If you have a good hear source these aren't hard to make.

The bars are 5/8"

Phil Joines, Krum, Tx

>But you can make them whatever size needed for the depth of the piece.