Kelton hollowing tools

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

ken chase

>I'm in the same boat. I've done about three holloforms so far and broke or cracked every one. I'm using the Keltons too and I don't think they are the problem. I finally figured out when you're near completion you can not, repeat, can not be too careful.

I'm going to try my new Scorpion tomorrow and expect I'll probably have some difficulty there.

I think I finally realize this is a steep learning curve and good results will not come easy or quick.

Good Luck

Ken Chase

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Craig Daymon

>I've done a couple nice undercut lips successfully, but my only real HF attempt went right through the side. It was a piece of curly maple about 5-6" in diameter and 3" deep. One thing that I quickly remembered after blowing through the side is that the reason things seemed to be going better further out (I was having a heck of a time cutting when I first started in) is that the closer to the wall you get the faster it will cut thanks to greater surface speed in contact with the cutter. Hence, BE CAREFUL when getting close to the wall! You ARE cutting faster there!

-Craig

P.S. I was using a Sorby Hollowmaster. Try working with the tools on an open bowl to get the hang of how they cut and be able to see exactly what is happening. (This was easy for me once I removed the top of my hollowform.)

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Earl Eyre

>About a year ago I took a class from Christian Burchard, who is certainly a master, and is in just about any book on woodturning. He was spending lunch hours cranking out hollow forms for an upcoming show. I was surprised that, when he got close to the thickness he wanted, he would be turning the lathe off every minute or two to check the thickness of the wall. He uses the Sorby tools, and when he got down to about 1/4" he would switch to the scraper to get down to 1/8"...less aggressive. His lesson: go very carefully when you get thin.

Earl

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

MP Wall

>Are you using the keltons with the edge the way they came? If they are new and never sharpened they can be very aggressive due to the size of the bur they leave on them at the factory. If you flatten the top of the tool and use a fine diamond or india stone on them they are not so aggressive, or least I have found that to be mostly true. Also watch you angle of attack, if you are flat to high vs a little low it changes how aggressive they are as well. MP Wall

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Jim D. Clayton, NJ

>Thanks all for the responces. It seems I have two problems using these tools. I defenatly have a problem judging the wall thickness on a HV. As I get near the bottom I tend to keep a strieght wall instead of tapering in. On both pieces I cut in half I thought I had about a 1/4" wall when I actually had less than an 1/8". The other problem I need to learn to control is how aggresive they tend to cut on a face grain piece, which both were.

I am thinking about setting up a thin air line to blow into and keep the inside clean so I can see what I am doing better. I may have to knock down the factory burr also as suggested but really hate to, they cut so nice this way!

Jim D.

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

oscar

>I really like my Kelton hollowers. Just watch the angle you present them at. Take some scrap wood and play around a bit. Lynn has some tips for using them posted somewhere, maybe at Fred Holders site. I got a tape with my Kelton Captive System that helps explain things somewhat. I'll send you the tape if you want, just email me your address. Going through the side of a hollow form might not be fun but it's it's gonna happen. Oscar

Re: Kelton hollowing tools *LINK*

MP Wall

>Here is their instruction sheet from their website.

MP Wall


Kelton Hollower Instructions

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Joe Fleming - SD

>Jim,

Keltons can be a bit grabby at times, but they are the best tool for the size piece you are describing.

DO NOT apply a stone to the top of the blade. The HSS venier on the top of the blade is very thin. To sharpen, you hone the bevel only.

Consider getting a caliper to check wall thickness. My favorites are the Lee Valley calipers.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

Re: Kelton hollowing tools *LINK*

Pascal Oudet

>Jim,

you can have a look at the article I wrote about these tools on my website.

I second Joe's opinion about LV calipers: they work very well. a bent wire is also a good (and cheap) solution.

as you found, you need to stop quite frequently to remove the shavings, and check the thickness. The shavings can pack up easily and mislead you when checking thickness.

hope this helps,

Pascal


Kelton article

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Jim D. Clayton, NJ

>Pascal,

Thank you for sharing that artical. I found it very interesting and informative.

Jim D.

Re: Kelton hollowing tools *LINK*

Craig Daymon

>Pascal,

Great page. Thanks for putting it together. I'll definitely make a print out of it for safe keeping. Your article is one of the two best I have found on the net on Hollow Forms. The other is by Chris Wright at the link below.

-Craig

P.S. His image with the colored lines representing the steps in hollowing is my wallpaper here at work.


Hollow Form Basics by Chris Wright

Re: Kelton hollowing tools

Jim Davies, Clayton, NJ

>I thank you for the offer of the tape but do not think it is necessary now. I did a small bowl yesterday with them and had no problems, but the chips were easy to keep clear and easier to see what I was doing. Time and practice are going to be the key.

Jim D.