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Small hollowing tools with 3/8" shaft?

R

Ricc Havens

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
349
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304
Location
Elkhart, IN
Website
www.riccsdesigns.com
Looking for 3/8" hollowing tools with 3/8" shafts. I know John Jordan made some but Packard is out of stock and they are no longer available from the Jordan family on his website since he passed away. I put an ad in the "want to buy" thread. BUu thought I would post here in case someone knew of other options.

I am wanting to do some smaller hollow forms. I have the Jordan 1/2" three piece set and also the Bosch 3/4" & 1" " bar sets of hollowing tools. But want smaller 3/8" bar tools. I know Bosch sell the Laurent Nicolet mini hollowing tools. But they are 1/4" bar for real miniature hollowing. I want something a little larger but still smaller than the 1/2" bar stock.

Yes, I know some will suggest making homemade tools. But I don't have the tools or skill for bending the bar stock for the curved tools or the precision in drilling the end of the bar stock for installing the cutters.

I have googled 3/8" hollowing tools. But most results still pop up with 1/2" or other size bars/shafts or with 3/8" size round carbide cutting tips, or with the links to Packard's out of stock items.

Anyone know of any other options?

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Thanks
Ricc Havens
rv.havens@gmail.com
 
Google ornament hollowing tools. You”’ll find lots to choose from
Many of these are 3/8” bars.

My small hollowing is limited to hundreds of ornament balls 3” diameter or so.
I use a straight tool with a 3/16 cutter glued into the shaft at 45 degrees.
No torque issues at 3” diameters so have never wanted a hook tool that small

You might consider the hunter tools. I know you aren’t looking for carbide. They are nice looking tools.
I like the 3/16 HSS better because they hollow faster for me than the small carbides
But on small forms the time difference is small.

Don Derry has a nice ornament hollowing tools. It has an outrigger you can remove if it gets in the way and a pistol grip handle.
My wife has one. I used it a few times but never got used to the pistol grip just too set in my ways. The grip can be set at any angle.


If you can drill a hole 3/16” deep and grid the corner off a 3/8” round bar you have made the tool I use.
 
Last edited:
I second the Hunter tools. Mike has a nice three piece set that last I looked was around $250. I've been very happy with them.

Trent Bosch also sells a small set with a French name (that old age memory kicking in). I've seen them at a Symposium and they look nice - as you'd expect from any of Trent's offerings.
 
I’m not sure exactly what’s available out there, but just to say the 6mm carbide inserts work well and will fit a 3/8” shaft without any problems. Making a straight hollowing tool with one of these inserts shouldn’t be too difficult with some basic tools?
 
Go to MSC Direct web site and order up a couple of lengths of 3/8" O-1 drill rod.
Also order up some 3/16" x 3/16" x 2 1/2 tool bits. Cut the tool bits in half and you get two cutters out of them. You can grind one end round. Either superglue into a hole in the drill rod, or do a drill and tap thing with a set screw to hold the bit in the drill rod.
Cut the drill rod into three 12" lengths and drill out a hole to hold the tool bit.

Read how to do it with some pictures in David Ellsworth's book. You or your club should have a copy already. If not.....get that first. Good description in the book.
You can bend 3/8" drill rod into a curved tool using a propane torch or something hotter.
 
Bill Alston said:
I’m not sure exactly what’s available out there, but just to say the 6mm carbide inserts work well and will fit a 3/8” shaft without any problems. Making a straight hollowing tool with one of these inserts shouldn’t be too difficult with some basic tools?
Click to expand...
A scraping 6mm cutter will chatter like no tomorrow on a 3/8" bar.
 
I have and still use occasionally the Kelton hollowers. For small I have the 5/16 set of three (still sold by Lee Valley, $104.50). I also had the Jordan's but sold them as I also have the Hunter hollowing tools which have been my go to hollowers since their inception. As far as hollowing tools making noise the 5/16 Keltons do (as did the Jordans) but at the speeds I hollow it is expected. The Hunters make a lot less noise but they are cutting vs the others scraping.
 
Richard Coers said:
A scraping 6mm cutter will chatter like no tomorrow on a 3/8" bar.
Click to expand...
Not really. It depends on tool presentation and the design on the tool. As the OP specified a 3/8” shaft I would expect it’s only for small projects.
These are my smallest hollowing tools and they’re used for cutting not scraping. The one at the back has A12 mm shaft and the other is 10mm. I’ve not experienced chatter with either but then I’ve never expected to put a lot of the tool over the rest. They’re for small stuff.

IMG_2934.jpeg

For bigger/deeper stuff I use a 16mm bar, but I have sold smaller 14mm bar versions to club mates and they all seem to like them. They’re great for box hollowing.
 
hockenbery said:
Google ornament hollowing tools. You”’ll find lots to choose from
Many of these are 3/8” bars.

My small hollowing is limited to hundreds of ornament balls 3” diameter or so.
I use a straight tool with a 3/16 cutter glued into the shaft at 45 degrees.
No torque issues at 3” diameters so have never wanted a hook tool that small

You might consider the hunter tools. I know you aren’t looking for carbide. They are nice looking tools.
I like the 3/16 HSS better because they hollow faster for me than the small carbides
But on small forms the time difference is small.

Don Derry has a nice ornament hollowing tools. It has an outrigger you can remove if it gets in the way and a pistol grip handle.
My wife has one. I used it a few times but never got used to the pistol grip just too set in my ways. The grip can be set at any angle.


If you can drill a hole 3/16” deep and grid the corner off a 3/8” round bar you have made the tool I use.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I will check it out.
 
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