New Hollowing tool

[Ronald Campbell]

I have been lucky to work on a new and very safe hollowing system. This system is designed to work on mini and midi lathes and is for the beginner as well as the professional. Carter tools will be introducing this tool soon. Keep and eye out for it. I have two photo posted of items that I turned with these tools. Wild West I and Wild West II were both turned using the Hollow Roller.

 

[Max Taylor]

Do yu have any pictures of this tool? If so, could you post it so we can have a look-see at it?
Thanks, Max

 

[Steve Worcester]

I would be interested if it is available by the time the AAW symposium comes around. At least to add it to the list of hollowing tools available when I publish my "paper" on it.

 

[Ronald Campbell]

Sorry I can not post photos for a few days. The tool will appear on the cover of the Woodcraft catalog this week. I will also be turning using this tool at the AAW.. Sorry I have signed a contract. You can see what I have turned using the tool in members photo gallery. Remember I have only been turning 2 years. This may be the safest tool I have ever used

 

[KurtB]

In an effort to insure that this thread does not conflict with our 'no commercial posts' rule, I want to remind everyone that they should visit the website as posted to see photos, and or pricing information! Thanks.

 

[Ronald Campbell]

Mistake

Sorry did not want to conflict with any rules to the aaw. Yes it will be at the AAW convention and I and Keith Burns will be turning with this tool.

Again did not want to step on any rules :mad:

 

[john lucas]

I looked at the tool on one other Forum. What would be the advantages of that one over any of the others? sorry, that sounded negative and I didn't mean it to. It sort of resembles the concept of the McNaugton and Jamieson but with a slightly different captured system with rollers. I lube my homemade version with wax and the tool slides effortlessly which is why I'm wondering the advantages of the Roller system. I wish you all well in the endeavor. Unfortunately I won't be able to be there in person to check it out.

 

[Wipedout]

Assuming this is the Carter Hollow Roller vessel turning system - I just watched it on YouTUbe - they have an installation and use video

Not to knock it - seems to be exactly like all the other captured systems - like the jamieson with the exception of the rollers. Looks nice but doesnt seem to be a leap in safety or anything

Looking forward to reading some reviews on it

 

[Steve Worcester]

The only drawback I see, from what I can see on the web, is that it would only take their boring bars. The bar is a round bar with a flat top and bottom, so from what I can tell from the video, there is only the straight bar, no swan neck, hook, or others. Carter does make some good products, so I suspect the build quality is good. Perhaps there will be some other bars, different dimensions and profiles later.

With rollers on the gate, it looks like it would be smooth. This design will likely draw the next generation of gate designs.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Assuming this is the Carter Hollow Roller vessel turning system - I just watched it on YouTUbe - they have an installation and use video

Not to knock it - seems to be exactly like all the other captured systems - like the jamieson with the exception of the rollers. Looks nice but doesnt seem to be a leap in safety or anything

Looking forward to reading some reviews on it

I watched the video as well. The unit shown is for smaller lathes with a depth limit that appears to be about 7-8"; the boring bar is not heavy enough to do more. Issue I see with the roller assembly is its small size. Not much in the way on angled attack on the workpiece with that 1 foot width. Probably could use twice what it's got if you were going to a machine with 16" or more swing. The real limitation here is that you will be limited to Carter's proprietary boring bar with the machined flat to control torque. Put a Jordan bar in the handle and you loose all of the torque control.

Will be interesting to see their price point.

 

[Jim Carroll]

Very similar to the Vermec hollowing systems available here in Australia.

Enzo and Guilio Marcolongo will be at the AAW show demonstrating their tools.

For me in small hollow forms I would prefer the Munro or Woodcut Proforme flexi

 

[Keith Burns]

I watched the video as well. The unit shown is for smaller lathes with a depth limit that appears to be about 7-8"; the boring bar is not heavy enough to do more. Issue I see with the roller assembly is its small size. Not much in the way on angled attack on the workpiece with that 1 foot width. Probably could use twice what it's got if you were going to a machine with 16" or more swing. The real limitation here is that you will be limited to Carter's proprietary boring bar with the machined flat to control torque. Put a Jordan bar in the handle and you loose all of the torque control.

Will be interesting to see their price point.

Mark, the width of the unit does not affect the angled attack, you simply move your banjo out or in to gain the extra width. You can also move the arrestor closer, or farther away from the turning to help with this. I've attached a couple of photos with this unit on my Oneway 2436 and a photo of the first piece I turned with this system. The piece is dry ash and was hard as concrete. It measures 6" dia. x 8-5/8" tall. Walls are 1/16" to 1/8". I did not use any tape, saran wrap to hold it together while turning. No sanding or finish as it was a test piece.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Keith, I understand your point regarding moving the arrester assembly closer. That, however, is something I would not do as I want the area close to the wood to be as free and clear of any obstructions as possible. That is, of course, a personal preference, but it's grounded in safety concerns. When I made my Sudol clone hollowing rig, the arrester fixture was 24" wide and was set in a dual clamp that allowed it to be reset wide to the rear of the ways without moving the banjo.

Remember, too, that you're talking to a very dedicated Kobra user 😀

ps: The lathe was turned off in the photo which was made for an article on hollowing tools in Woodworker West magazine. Hence no eye/face protection in use. 😉

 

[Keith Burns]

Nice set up Mark. Looks like the laser is getting ready to slap you🙂. I hope you know I'm kidding. I guess my point was that to gain more width you simply reposition the the banjo to the side so the 12" width is not a limiting factor. On my lathe for instance with a 12 " swing I can move my banjo out to its full extension and with half the width of the Arrestor, it gives me 18" to the side. I have always used a captured rig and there are times when I have to angle the back rest and move it closer for extreme work.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Slaped

Nice set up Mark. Looks like the laser is getting ready to slap you🙂. I hope you know I'm kidding. I guess my point was that to gain more width you simply reposition the the banjo to the side so the 12" width is not a limiting factor. On my lathe for instance with a 12 " swing I can move my banjo out to its full extension and with half the width of the Arrestor, it gives me 18" to the side. I have always used a captured rig and there are times when I have to angle the back rest and move it closer for extreme work.

he he

We had to pose the pic for the mag but then make a note about the lathe being off.

Actually I do, sometimes, now work from the "back" side of the lathe. That I couldn't do with the Sudol (Jamieson) clone rig in these pics. This kind of set-up is fairly easy to make if someone can do a bit of welding or has a buddy who can. Cheap, too, as most of the steel in this came from the scrap yard.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Keith, I understand your point regarding moving the arrester assembly closer. That, however, is something I would not do as I want the area close to the wood to be as free and clear of any obstructions as possible. That is, of course, a personal preference, but it's grounded in safety concerns. When I made my Sudol clone hollowing rig, the arrester fixture was 24" wide and was set in a dual clamp that allowed it to be reset wide to the rear of the ways without moving the banjo.

Remember, too, that you're talking to a very dedicated Kobra user 😀

ps: The lathe was turned off in the photo which was made for an article on hollowing tools in Woodworker West magazine. Hence no eye/face protection in use. 😉

I can show you how to cut down that laser post🙂
Is that a different version of the Korba in that one? I prefer a bar sized to the form (length), but that works. I just don't like all the extra length and things getting in the way. Might be why I have dozens of hollowing tools.

 

[Mark Mandell]

I can show you how to cut down that laser post🙂
Is that a different version of the Korba in that one? I prefer a bar sized to the form (length), but that works. I just don't like all the extra length and things getting in the way. Might be why I have dozens of hollowing tools.

Kobra post is fine, Steve. Sized for my 20" lathe plus enables turning a 24" tall form. and use of a steady rest. There is so little vibration transmitted through the rig that the laser dot is very stable, even at that height. Simple to cut it, but then I'd have to buy/make another post.

If you're talking about the gray rig, I sold that and it's not a Kobra varient.. I fab'd a slider to raise and lower the boom depending on the diameter of the workpiece.

 

[Sam Gubler]

I'll be at the AAW this year so it will be interesting to see in person. Looking forward to your demo of the tool.

 

[DOCworks]

Hey Mark,
How come no one has spotted those cases in the background? I'm free Sunday to help you go through them....:cool2:

 

[Mark Mandell]

Hey Mark,
How come no one has spotted those cases in the background? I'm free Sunday to help you go through them....:cool2:

He He

Last year's stash, Bill. Lasted through February but gone now. This year's is also quite good. Sam stops shipping Summer about the 2nd week in August which is when I take 12 cases so we can still have a taste of Summer when the snow's 3' deep in the driveway😀

You get up this way in January, stop on by. They stay nice and cool in the garage. 😉

 

[DOCworks]

Sounds good, I used to do the same when I lived in Canada, Love the Molson Bock, only in the spring. The closest I've found in Florida is Shiner Bock from Texas. I would head up that way, but the "boss" is taking us to Port Townsend this year for our 25th. Course I'm not sure she knows it's the same weekend that the Wooden Boat festival is going on or the same week they have a bunch of cool stuff at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, ah well. I will, sneak off to Edensaw for a bit to check out what woods they have in stock.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Sounds good, I used to do the same when I lived in Canada, Love the Molson Bock, only in the spring. The closest I've found in Florida is Shiner Bock from Texas. I would head up that way, but the "boss" is taking us to Port Townsend this year for our 25th. Course I'm not sure she knows it's the same weekend that the Wooden Boat festival is going on or the same week they have a bunch of cool stuff at the Port Townsend School of Woodworking, ah well. I will, sneak off to Edensaw for a bit to check out what woods they have in stock.

Take cash. That way, when the box shows up, it's harder for her to trace. 😀

 

[hughie]

probably not for me

I looked at this variation with interest, especially as I do a fair bit of tool design and building for myself and others.

I can see how it would aid and assist the tool movement. But with all thats out there now,I dont see it as major step forward, especially with all the captive type rigs available etc.

As to concerns about design etc I pretty go along with whats been said already. This is not to say it does not have a place, we all get started with this or that style of tooling and form a preference.

All the same I enjoyed all your feed back, keep it up, good work.

 

[Steve Worcester]

In thinking about this, it would be easy to put any insert on a mill table and flatten the top and bottom with a mill or fly cutter so it would fit.

 

[Moses]

Sorry

Sorry did not want to conflict with any rules to the aaw. Yes it will be at the AAW convention and I and Keith Burns will be turning with this tool.

Again did not want to step on any rules :mad:

In fact you have done this before on other sites and you know the rules. Please follow them. No commercial ads here.

 

[Mark Mandell]

Having "somewhat" panned Carter's effort on this board, I should, to be honest, let those interested know that I did, indeed, try out the rig at the AAW Symposium. In fact, I made a point to do so. After hollowing with the tool and talking with the rep, for what they're worth, here are my impressions:

The rig's components are well made and finished. The 2-handed/full body involvement with the handle and boring bar I judged to be a plus. The boring bar was easy to control along the axis of the lathe although I experienced some unnecessary restriction in moving the bar at an angle to the axis of rotation. This seems to be in the nature of the beast that uses the rollers to move along the lathe axis.

The set-up I used was fitted with a stock cutter that cut well. There is a carrier to use a #1 Hunter cutter, but I didn't try that. I was cutting only about 4 inches over the tool rest so vibration was minimal in the 3/4" boring bar. As anticipated, purchasers will be limited to Carter boring bars (unless you happen to have a machine shop handy) because other peoples' bars, like Jordans, cannot be used. This I find a serious drawback because no single tool will do it all [and I like my Jordan bars 😀].

The roller assembly did, in fact, to a good job in arresting torque, however it was a substantial amount of "stuff" between me and the workpiece. As stated before here, I like a clean workspace between me and the wood, and I felt that I had to work around the roller unit as an obstruction; that was, of course, a personal preference, so others may actually like the assembly as situated.

I'll reaffirm that this tool is for smaller lathes or, at least, smaller forms as I found the roller unit somewhat limiting in its scope, and the only boring bar available to be too small for anything over 7-8" in depth.

That said, Carter has made a good start and has a good tool that lots of turners will probably find useful.

 

[davidwalser]

Thanks for the too review!

Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to look at and report on Carter's new hollowing tool. I'm glad to see a toolmaker of Carter's reputation enter the woodturning field. They must believe "we" constitute a large and attractive market.

That bodes well for the future of woodturning. I hope the pioneer vendors, toolmakers, and suppliers continue to do well, but I welcome additional entrants into the market -- and the increased innovation and availability of products that will result from the increase in competition for our dollars.