Hey all you wood turners out there, I have a question for you, but first a bit of background on the problem.

A few days ago I purchased a round bar hollower because it was a reasonable price without breaking the bank, and the cutter looked to be about the right size for most of the jobs I would have it do. Well I got it Saturday and tested it out a bit on some random scrap last night. Problem: When presenting the tool to the wood, the wood wants to yank and twist the tools cutter away from the wood. The question: Is there a way (WITHOUT destroying the tool) to flatten the bottom side of the bar to keep it (hopefully) from twisting?

 

Of course I would wish to avoid grinding the back of the tool where the screw attaches to the bar, but beyond that I should be ok right?

 

Thanks

 

 

Edited June 6, 201610 yr by Charles Nicholls

Charles,

I believe that is the nature of the round shafted tool.

 

I found this information about the tool positioning- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/archive/index.php/t-218240.html      the information is at the seventh poster down. 

 

The tool should only be used to turn in areas not accessible with a straight tool (ie gouge or scraper).

 

If you find to must flatten the bottom of the tool, maybe use a big hammer to mash the bottom flat rather than grind away material.

 

1 hour ago, lew said:

Charles,

I believe that is the nature of the round shafted tool.

 

I found this information about the tool positioning- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/archive/index.php/t-218240.html      the information is at the seventh poster down. 

 

The tool should only be used to turn in areas not accessible with a straight tool (ie gouge or scraper).

 

If you find to must flatten the bottom of the tool, maybe use a big hammer to mash the bottom flat rather than grind away material.

 

Thanks for the info Lew, I figured that using it in areas that were accessible by straight tool would be a bit silly given the fight it's given me since I got it.

 

I just got done reading the page you gave a link to and it confirmed what I thought which is that the tool has to be extended past the rest more than most tools, so when I get ready to make a real go at a hollow form I'll have a better idea of what I am doing. Thank you

I may also at some point put a longer handle on the tool but we'll see.

 

Edited June 6, 201610 yr by Charles Nicholls

9 hours ago, Charles Nicholls said:

I may also at some point put a longer handle on the tool

Instead of a longer handle, maybe make a handle that has an additional rite angle piece like that found on an electric hand drill

 

The black handle, in the above photo, might be added to the handle of the hollowing tool. It might provide addition support to lessen the likelihood of twisting. I've never seen this done and not sure it would work- just thinking out-loud.

19 hours ago, lew said:

Instead of a longer handle, maybe make a handle that has an additional rite angle piece like that found on an electric hand drill

 

The black handle, in the above photo, might be added to the handle of the hollowing tool. It might provide addition support to lessen the likelihood of twisting. I've never seen this done and not sure it would work- just thinking out-loud.

Cool thanks Lew, I'm not sure it would work either, but it would be interesting to try.

I don't have experience hollowing, but there are two videos by "Cap'n Eddie" on "hollowing on the cheap" that address the questions posed. by Charlie.  One part of his answer is to use vise grip pliers as his right angle handle to keep the hollowing tool from twisting.  You can watch the two videos at the following links (videos 186 & 189).

 

 

Great stuff Larry T! Thanks for sharing!

A little late to the parade, but if the tool twists that means you have a catch and the beauty is with a round shaft you do not get hurt. The tool (with the curve past the tool rest and only the straight shaft on the rest) will just rotate and not harm you. To prevent the catch take lighter cuts.

If this has already been mentioned I apologize. I would ask where do you have the tool positioned on the tool rest? It absolutely cannot be on the curved part of the tool. I have an EASY hollower I use on my vases and it has a wide flat shaft. This picture shows how it must be used.

 

You could have someone weld a piece of flat bar to the bottom of your tool.  It wouldn't take much weld and then could be cut off it you decided it wasn't a good idea.  You could position the flat bar to mimic the flat spot on the Easy Hollower Steve shows in his thread.

Dan

Gerald told me how to make one in another post.

The cutting edge needs to be inline with the handle.

If not it will twist your handle.

 

Edited January 19, 20206 yr by Kevin Beitz