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Help with tool.

Try to google woodturning hook tool video. or some such terms. You might get a youtube video perhaps. I don't know that, but hook tools are used in other countries a good bit, and surely there is info about them somewhere.
 
Basically the hook tool is a gouge turned 90 degrees. If you think of how you would present a gouge to the wood you have it mastered.

A great tool for hollowing endgrain. It lets you cut from the bottom to the rim when hollowing.
It is like a Ring tool with the top of ring cut off.
.
Michael Hosulak and Alan Lacer use them in some demos.

Pretty good article in the Summer 2000 AAW journal.
Also most any video on turning nested Russian dolls will use a hook tool for hollowing.
I posted a link to one below.

1CE5E024-B60E-40EE-807E-9DDAB7264B42.jpeg

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VhR9ALVd0Js
 
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I have made a couple hook tools. Once you learn how to use them, they are wonderful tools for hollowing because they actually cut rather than scrape, but they have a very exciting learning curve and you can get the most spectacular catches imaginable especially if you try to teach yourself. From personal experience I would rank it more difficult than the skew. While it can be used on dry wood it's better if used on green wood particularly while still learning. It's not a very forgiving tool.
 
Glenn,
It looks like you might have hook tool 'tips' rather than a true hook 'tool'. A hook tool would be similar in length to gouges and hollowing tools, while the 'tip' would generally be about 3". The tips are used in handles (one version seen in the article Al presented) or attached at the end of a specific tool such as Michael Hosaluk uses and sells. Sharpening is an issue with hook tools, so you either make new ends periodically if you're making your own, or replace them with new if you're using the tips.
 
hockenbery said:
Basically the hook tool is a gouge turned 90 degrees. If you think of how you would present a gouge to the wood you have it mastered.

A great tool for hollowing endgrain. It lets you cut from the bottom to the rim when hollowing.
It is like a Ring tool with the top of ring cut off.
.
Michael Hosulak and Alan Lacer use them in some demos.

Pretty good article in the Summer 2000 AAW journal.
Also most any video on turning nested Russian dolls will use a hook tool for hollowing.
I posted a link to one below.

View attachment 26484

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VhR9ALVd0Js
Click to expand...
Love the video. Am I seeing this right looks like some of the skew work is cutting above the Center of the skew. In the catch, danger zone. I would have blown that piece off the lathe at least 20 times. And the way he uses that hook tool. Amazing. On the opposite side of the box we normally work on and using the tool rest as an extension of the handle almost. Ingenious.
 
Dean Center said:
Glenn,
It looks like you might have hook tool 'tips' rather than a true hook 'tool'. A hook tool would be similar in length to gouges and hollowing tools, while the 'tip' would generally be about 3". The tips are used in handles (one version seen in the article Al presented) or attached at the end of a specific tool such as Michael Hosaluk uses and sells. Sharpening is an issue with hook tools, so you either make new ends periodically if you're making your own, or replace them with new if you're using the tips.
Click to expand...
yes I just have the tips. Tried them in a oneway handle and could not even get it to shave the wood. Going to have to research this. Really bugging me. At least I could have gotten a massive catch, or something!
 
Glenn Lefley said:
just have the tips. Tried them in a oneway handle and could not even get it to shave the wood.
Click to expand...


I mount mine in an old Dennis Stewart hollowing tool.
If you look at the photo in the AAW article you can see the hook tool tip mounted in a bar.
Could be a hollowing bar.
You will need a shaft that lets the bevel,of the hook contact the wood.
 
I like them although on hardwoods they can be a challenge. They work well but can be unforgiving for the newbie. I make my own to a large extent and I have one from Woodcut its my go-to tool for hollowing.
Bit of a steep learning curve but real handy once mastered, stick with it and master it and you wont be disappointed
 
Glenn, I was at the cottage when I saw your post. I have some stuff I will send you. In the meantime look for an André Martel You Tube video on his Hook Tool. You need a good sized handle. Quite easy to make. You can drill cold rolled steel on your Oneway very nicely by passing through the head stock and holding in Stronghold Chuck. If you have a small drill press, drill a hole for a set screw which you can tap with a tap from Canadian Tire. I bought a Medium Martel Hook Tool from him years ago after seeing him demo at Totally Turning. Michael Hosaluk was supplying one from a fellow in Florida and was exploring making one himself. I saw on his site recently a different looking tool than the original. The ones you show look home made possibly from drill rod. Allan Lacer has instructions How To on his website. The commercial ones were cast from High speed tool steel and sharpened. Not difficult to master with a little practise. Cut at about 8 o'clock and don't get too aggressive.
 
Biggest help with hook tools, is low rpm. Pretty sure hook tools were first used with treadle and spring pole lathes. You can pull a thick curl, so progress is still very good at the slow speeds.
 
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