The Sorby Hollowmaster

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster

Bill Luinetti

>After posting this, I found a review by Lyn Mangiameli that was posted on World Of Woodturners, and it seems to be quite thorough.

However, I would still like to hear from other turners who have specific preferences.

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster *LINK*

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Hi Bill,

I know you are interested in the findings of others, but since I don't know how old the comments are of mine that the World of Woodturner's site is using, I am including my latest comments below, taken from the first part of the Opinionated Review of Hollowing Tools. The best source for the latest version of my reviews (because it is the only one I update) is at the link below.

Sorby Multitool: [Virtually every woodturning supplier] A good introductory tool that combines an asymmetrical tear drop shaped shear scraper tip with two 3/16 cobalt steel hollowing cutters in an innovative shaft that is flat on one side and rounded on the other. Overall length of the tool is 19 inches with the handle making up about 12 inches of that. Limited to small to small/medium forms, its rotating head will allow for undercuts and the flat on the shaft will help resist torsional forces. The flat surface on the shaft is also helpful to the beginner in that it helps insure the generally preferred 9 o�clock orientation of the cutting tip to the interior of the turning. The tool also is good for cleaning up the bottom of smaller forms. Given its fairly inexpensive price and great versatility, it is well worth having one. Sorby has added a very similar tool, except for a swan neck, that they call the Hollowmaster. The latter lacks the range of uses of its senior bother, being limited to internal use only as a result of its curved shaft, but at 24 inches overall length it will reach slightly deeper than the straight version. Some will find both of these tools more comfortable to use by twisting off the wooden handle which reveals a round 1/2 inch tang that can be fitted into a longer, thicker steel handle.


http://www.fholder.com/Woodturning/lyn.html

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster

Bill Luinetti

>Thanks for the update, Lyn...it is obvious that you have put substantial energy into your tools evaluation, and I appreciate that.

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster

Duane C.Leach

>Bill I am not piad to talk about tools. I just use them. I have only turned a few hundred hollow forms. Not nearly as many as some, but more than others. In my opinion the Sorby Hollow Master, The straight one or the goosneck are both fine tools with two exceptions. The handle on both seems to be about 4" to short. Second the cutter and holding mechanism are on the bottom of tool and some times in the way.

I hope the helps

Duane.

Re: Getting paid.

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>At the risk of sounding defensive, let me reduce the chances of repitition of what appears to be a misconception.

I don't get paid to talk about tools, nor to write about them. It is true that many do get paid to write for More Woodturning and other publications, but I don't accept payment (well, actually years ago on the very first time when an article was requested of me, I did, then I turned the fee right back into a long term subscription).

Same thing goes for tools. There are a few exceptions, mostly of prototype tools that a manufacturer has asked my feedback on, but the vast majority of tools you see me review have been purchased with my own funds.

For those who know me, they know that I've made quite a point that I wanted my work freely available to other woodturners and woodworkers. Indeed, this is one of the reasons Fred set up the webpage for me. I don't take money for my articles, and Fred puts them up for people to read without charge, even though it cuts into his potential subscriptions and back issue sales.

FWIW, I"m a forensic neuropsychologist by profession and training. Believe me, there is no comparison when it comes to financial reward, potential or real, between any amount of free tools or reimbursement for reviews, and what I could make by filling even one tenth the time with another forensic or clinical case.

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster

Barry Turner

>The Sorby tool is a very good tool to start hollowing with. It is fairly simple to use and sharpen. A 1" belt sander is great for sharpening the cutter. Just maintain the factory bevel and shape. You probably ought to sharpen before you ever use it. The factory edge is not necessarily sharp.

Re: The Sorby Hollowmaster

Bill Luinetti

>Thanks again, to Lyn, Duane and Barry.