Hollowing tip problem

[bfwhitma]

I am dissatisfied by the ring tool plus steel guard portion of the Hamlet hollowing tool (clogs all the time--the radius scraper is quite nice and the handle is very comfortable and stable). Also, I have never been able to sharpen the tip on my Ellsworth tool because it is glued in and I never get a really sharp edge without using the grinder. Is there a way I could get either a variable angle tip with standard cutter like Ellsworth's to attach to the Hamlet bar (the ones I tried did not have the same screw thread) or a bar with tip (the Hamlet accepts 5/8, not 3/4 inch bar and has a reducer to 1/2in)?
Thanks,
Brad
Wynnewood, PA

 

[CTutor]

Hollowing sharpening

David Ellsworth used the side of the grinding wheel to sharpen his points. You need to hold the tool handle at an angle to the wheel as well as tilted to get the correct angle. The strainght one is easier to sharpen cause you don't need to tilt the hadle to get ithe tip against the wheel. He sort of rides the tip over the front and edge of the wheel. I know that does not make much sense but I am certain he would explain it better if you contact him. It took me just a bit to do it myself.

 

[Tony Reynolds]

Not sure about all the other but I think on the Ellsworth tool you hit it with a little heat and the tip comes out so you can grind it then glue it back in with CA. Between grinding you can hone it or raise the burr with a diamond card or lap stick.

 

[Steve Worcester]

With the Ellsworth system, it is easy enough to grind on the side of the wheel, or just use a hone. Worse comes to worse, either torch it out as described, or get a piece of 3/16" tool bit stock and practice sharpening it on the grinder. I think the tool bits at the surplus store in my area are about $1.50. If you have a dremel, use a cutoff wheel and cut those tool bits in half and round the end on a grinder to have them fit in the Ellsworth tool handles.

The Ellsworth tools are a great place to learn the tool control and dexterity to create the thin hollow forms you will strive for. After mastering those tools, it is easy to adapt to others, including the captive versions of hollowing tools.

 

[Andy Coates]

clogging

I use the Hamlet (Big Brother) most of the time for DH work, in conjunction with a Texas Toothpick style bar, and it is prone to clogging, which is a pain. However, if you alter the gap between the ring and the shield you will eventually find the best set to avoid clogging. It's worth the effort in the end. I also use a diamond hone for both the Hamlet and the toothpick tools, and find this gives a more than adequate edge.

There is a ring&shield type tool on the market that is far less prone to clogging - although I know turners don't like to buy new tools really, so this is pointless - It's the Roly Monroe deep hollowing tool. It clears via the top of the shield, and the shavings fly out like a wing cut on a swept-back bowl gouge.

I think I'd like to try the Ellsworth tools, as one of the main problems with the ring&shield is the restriction on the size of the apperture you can work through. Much less than an inch and you have difficulty getting the thing through without smashing the piece off the chuck!