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Hollowing Tools

J

jimbob91577

Joined
Jan 7, 2006
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Location
Southern Oregon
I'm looking at ordering a set of Bosch hollowing tools - I anticipate doing things between 3-6" in diameter and 8-12" long.

I'm considering the 5/8" 3-Piece set offered for $130. Is this a good set for entry level hollowing? Should I consider something else?

Thanks!
Jim
 
Hi Jim,

I use the Trent Bosch hollowing system exclusively. I have the 5/8" straight and bent. I also have the handle. I put lead shot in the handle for extra weight. I love the tools and would recommend them highly. The tips are easy to sharpen and easy to replace.

Check out the photos of my hollow form vessels in my gallery.

Joe
 
It is the 8-12" deep that concerns me here. 8" is not that bad with 5/8" diameter, but it is going to take some skill, especially with hand held tools, to go 12" deep off the tool rest.

Don't get me wrong, I have his tools too (*D: We sponsor his workshops) and really like them, but it is a diameter issue in my opinion, not the tools.

Call Trent and talk with him, he is a great person to deal with and will help you make your decision.
 
His tools appear very similar to the homemade versions I built. They work fine. To go deeper than 8" I highly recommend the 3/4" bars. I get an awful lot of chatter that's hard to control when I use the 1/2" tools deeper than 8". I can hollow to about 14" before I get much chatter from 3/4" tools. 5/8" I assume would be inbetween.
I don't know what size cutters he is using. I use 3/16 hss cutters. My tools were copies of John Jordan's.
 
The Bosch tools are great.

I use the 3/4 tools in the Jamison handle.
a great combination that lets me use a laser pointer too.

12" is about the limit of the 3/4 bars.
lighter cuts near the bottom.

I use a 1 1/4 bar for the most pieces over 10"

Happy turning
Al
 
Man, I need some training. I run out of talent at about 6-1/2" deep. From there on to about 7-3/4" it's chatter and grimmace. And that's with 3/4" bar on articulated rig and sharp, 3/16" tool bit. The worst is the center and across the bottom. Sides not too bad. Drilling a "depth" hole is fine until the drill wanders off center. Then it is worse than no depth hole at all. On an open piece with bowl gouge (can see what I'm doing) the center and bottom are no problem at all.
 
I have the same drill bit wandering issues too...

I have a set of Keltons that I think will work ok, but after trying them I think I'm not good enough to be at that level and make good use of them yet.

Not only does the drill bit wander, but I can never get the project running as true as it was before when I re-chuck it, so that compounds the problem.


With the set of Keltons, there's three tools. I can only get the straight tool to cut. I can't get the hooked tools to cut (scrape).

I was making a pen & pencil holder and I got about 3/4 of the way down when I must have presented the tool incorrectly. Caught the side wall of the project and sent it flying off the lathe. Luckily I was only going about 700 RPM.

However, at that point I realized I'm no where good enough to play with these toys yet.

Unfortunately, there's not much info on how to use the Keltons. They have two videos on their site but they don't help much.

At some point I may as the fine folks here about them, but again I'm not good enough yet...

Joe
 
A Step Back

Let me rephrase for a moment - I'm wanting to learn how to do hollow forms, but I want tools that I'll be able to use years from now when I have somewhat mastered the techniques.

I imagine that 3-8" diameter hollow forms 3-12" long would be the range of work I would want to do. I in no way will start this process on a piece that is 8" in diameter and 12" long - more likely 3-4" in diameter and 4-6" long. I initially thought the 5/8" tools would be a good "Medium" between doing smaller objects and larger objects, but it sounds like if I get the 3/4" (or greater?) tools I'll be able to do the smaller objects as well, but with more tool stability.

For those folks who do many hollow forms, what are the size ranges you find easiest to work with, yet still produce fine results? When you're planning a hollow form, what size piece of wood are you on the lookout for?
 
Try locating a gun drill (AKA "D" Drill). I found a set on Ebay for a reasonable sum. Due to the shape it is always trying to locate center.
Here is a link that will show you the shape.
http://cgi.ebay.com/STARCUT-CARBIDE...in_0?hash=item4ceaf041d7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Texian said:
Man, I need some training. I run out of talent at about 6-1/2" deep. From there on to about 7-3/4" it's chatter and grimmace. And that's with 3/4" bar on articulated rig and sharp, 3/16" tool bit. The worst is the center and across the bottom. Sides not too bad. Drilling a "depth" hole is fine until the drill wanders off center. Then it is worse than no depth hole at all. On an open piece with bowl gouge (can see what I'm doing) the center and bottom are no problem at all.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jimbob91577 said:
Let me rephrase for a moment - I'm wanting to learn how to do hollow forms, but I want tools that I'll be able to use years from now when I have somewhat mastered the techniques.

I imagine that 3-8" diameter hollow forms 3-12" long would be the range of work I would want to do. I in no way will start this process on a piece that is 8" in diameter and 12" long - more likely 3-4" in diameter and 4-6" long. I initially thought the 5/8" tools would be a good "Medium" between doing smaller objects and larger objects, but it sounds like if I get the 3/4" (or greater?) tools I'll be able to do the smaller objects as well, but with more tool stability.

For those folks who do many hollow forms, what are the size ranges you find easiest to work with, yet still produce fine results? When you're planning a hollow form, what size piece of wood are you on the lookout for?
Click to expand...

If you will look on my website, there's an article that was in the spring AAW Journal that describes how I go about hollow turning in some depth. (of course if you are an AAW member you have the mag) I use my tools, but the basic idea is not completely tool dependent, and should be helpful.

John
 
I have several of the same type of tools made by my self. The smallest diameter I use is 3/4'' and they are 9,12'' long, for deeper vessels etc I use 1'' diameter and this one is around 14'' long. HSS tool bit sizes of 1/4'', 3/8'', and 1/2'' are used.

Weight is a factor here so have I used hollow bar rather than solid bar, also the steel is carbon steel and has been hardened and tempered to keep it very stiff.

I have made several of the solid bar type of 1'' but these have proved to be a little heavy for prolonged usage.
 
Thanks Jim, will look into gun drills. JimBob, did not mean to butt into your thread. Should have mentioned that I was working with dry wood. With "fresh" wood you would probably do fine with 5/8" bar system, but others are much more experienced with hollow forms and better qualified to advise.
 
General Statement

Quit spinning your wheels. You're an AW Member (or should be). Go the the AAW "Resourse Directory" (or On-Line). Find an AAW Chapter nearest you. Go there. Youll find an infinite source of FREE!!!!! information and instruction. Somebody there will already have solved your problem, or will work with you to solve your mutual issue. Forums are fine. Face-to-face is a whole lot better.
 
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