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Stuart Mortimer Hollowing Tool Information

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4mikee

Joined
May 26, 2006
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N.W. Alabama
After watching Stuart Mortimer hollow turn thin walled vessels at the symposium with his hollowing tools, I may be interested in a set. I would like to know if anyone has any experience with them. I have a Sorby swan neck and a Don Pencil Scorpion set, but I believe for a number of turnings Mortimer’s tools would be the best fit, especially for shorter “vase like†pieces. The way the tools cut and pull the shavings out seems to be far faster than the others (I’m sure he makes it look easy). I would appreciate the feedback.
 
not sure which tools you are refering too but it sounds like a ring tool or modified ring tool and what you have can easily be added too. For short vases as well as boxes I personally like the berger hollowing tool. I have the short standard model and have fitteded an extra cutting bit into my hollowing rig for both captured and uncaptured deep (and sometimes not so deep) hollowing.
 
Take a look at his tools on the web. They are much like a bowl gouge yet much like a ring tool. They come in a 3 piece set, the walls of the flute are pretty much even around the grind to form a cutting edge that is almost level with the shank of the tool.
 
They are shallow flute spindle gouges that have a long fingernail grind. They must be hand sharpened so as to have a convex shape on the front and sides (Not hollow ground). I spent a week with Stuart at Arrowmont and not one student got a single catch the whole week and all learned quickly how to sharpen a standard spindle gouge to his specifications. Stuart uses a 3/8†and a ½†for his work. It works incredibly well.
John Hill
 
Thanks John, that's what I'm looking for. If I understand, hand sharpening is how to achieve the particular grind. Do you know where I can get more information on sharpenig these. Stuart didn't demonstrate sharpening at the symposium rotations I went to. Also, can standard spindle gouges be ground the same as his singnature gouges? A lot of what I do, especially open rim vessels, seem to be the appropriate candidate for his tools. I remember he emphasized running the gouge from high to low inside the vessel and lattter made his final cuts on the outside to complete the piece. Thanks again.
 
I did not attend the symposium but talking to a friend that did helped. Craft Supply carries the tools I think you are looking for. Also look for Stuarts video "Wet Turning with a Difference" I believe he show how he sharpens these tools. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the info. It would be good to hear from others who use the tool and any pros or cons of the set.
Thanks
 
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