Question Regarding Hand Held Hollowers Vs. Captured Hollowers

[Matt Owen]

I have used a Jamieson style hollower and a captured articulated hollower similar to the Monster system, both of which do a very nice job of hollowing both large and small vessels for me.

My question is, is there any advantage to having a hand held hollower, specifically the Munro hollower, over either of the captured styles?

I would imagine that some people may feel they have more freedom to move the tool as they wish with a hand held unit, but that is about the only thing that I can think of.

My other concern is my frugal (read cheap) nature. With the exception of the cutter head and modular links, I don't see that there is much to the Munro tool. A 5/8" diameter bar of steel and a handle wouldn't cost that much to make. So I am basically paying approximately $250 for the cutter head and links. Is there something else that I'm missing?

I currently have the money to get a Munro hollower, but would I be better off to continue using one of the captured systems, and spend the money on a different tool and/or more wood?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks,

Matt

 

[Dick Hines]

I do all my small hollowing, less than 10 inches witha set of Kelton tools. Any thing bigger than 10 inches I go to my Jamieson captured rig. Large pieces tend to give me fore arm cramps. Old age may have something to do with this also.

 

[Richard Baker]

I sort of enjoy the feel of "manual" hollowing, but the Monster articulated rig sure helps take the load off deteriorating body parts. And the laser avoids having to stop and measure all the time.

 

[Ed Davidson]

Matt,

There is a third type of hollowing system that uses an un-restrained outrigger on the turning side of the boring bar, intended to help stabilize the cutting action. Here's a link to the one I'm most familiar with. BTW, for the sake of disclosure, I did build this website and made some how-to videos for these products, but I have no financial interest in Fred Lindsay's business or products.

 

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Rolly Munro

I use a Rolly Munro cutter head in a captured hollowing rig. This is the best combination I've ever used. I've hollowed up to 32" deep vessels using this setup. The Rolly is a highly effecient cutting tool, not to be confused with a scraping tool which is what most other systems use.
Joe Meirhaeghe

 

[George Guadiane]

I have three different Rolly Munro articulated hollowers.
I also have Randy's Monster setup...
I use the Rolly Munro tools WITH the Monster setup for almost all of my hollowing now. The rest I use just the Munro.
As with any tool setup, it takes practice and adjustment, but I'm getting STUNNING (for me) finishes on the insides of my turnings now, and still getting better.

 

[Matt Owen]

Well, I guess I'm now leaning towards purchasing the Munro. The idea of using the Munro cutter head with one of the captured systems sound like a great idea.

To date, I've never regretted buying a nice tool, even if I could have gotten by without it. I have a feeling this will be a similar situation.

Thanks for all of you help.

Matt

 

[Rob Wallace]

Munro hollower - worth having!

Matt:

I agree with the comments said about the Munro Hollower - the key to this system is not the 5/8" bar or handle, but is the articulated, adjustable head, which is quite versatile. This is an efficient cutting tool - not a scraping tool, just as Joe. M said.

I talked with Rollie this past June at the AAW symposium and he explained a lot of the recent updates on his tools. The new version of the articulating arm is even more versatile than the 'older' version that I have, and having used the updated tool a bit, I can see why. You may also want to investigate the carbide cutter option for the Munro tool which is yet another improvement over the HSS cutters provided in the standard kit. Packard Woodworks has these carbide cutter upgrades if you are interested in trying them.

Have fun and turn safely!

Rob Wallace