Woodturning multi tool?

[Phil Pascoe]

I've just seen on ebay a "multitool" which is basically a steel shank drilled to take a router cutter. with grub screws on the sides to hold it in. One picture has a core box in it - this would seem to work as a shear cutter ... and why not? I can't see why it shouldn't work quite well? Has anyone made or used one like this? It would be cheap and easy to make for those of us who already have the cutter. I don't suppose it would be much use with anything other than a "V" or a core box, though.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Phil,
I've also seen similar set-ups with a HSS ball nose end mill mounted for hollowing (see... http://www.woodcentral.com/woodwork.../my-results-with-hollowing-using-an-end-mill/)

...but from my experience TCT router cutters might not be sharp enough to leave a decent finish but I could be wrong.

[Edit: It took me a while to find the tool but it's definitely a homemade tool - the copper ferrule is a give-away and so there's no knowing whether it'll work or not IMHO and the TCT cutter looks pretty dull and used.]

Jon

 

[Lons]

I very recently watched a youtube video (don't have a link) buy a guy making acorn boxes and he used a large core box cutter to hollow out. It looked to work very well though as stated won't be the best finish. Certainly set me thinking though I've done nothing about it.

 

[Rhossydd]

This idea has been around for many years and has never caught on.
One issue is that the grub screw that holds the cutter in the handle can damage the shaft of the cutter.

 

[woodpig]

Carbide inserts have changed quite a bit over the last few years and many are now sharp enough to cut wood well, particularly end grain. Have a look at the video on the Hope site.

http://www.hopewoodturning.co.uk/carbide_tools_23.html

Not so sure about using router cutter bits though. A ball cutter might work well enough for hollowing?

I was intrigued enough to make a couple of my own insert tools but I've not had chance yet to test them properly. The inserts though are from a standard TCT insert supplier and only cost about £5 each rather than the £10 + charged by specialist woodturning suppliers. I've no idea if the insets are exactly the same but the ones I've bought are certainly sharp enough to cut wood. More testing to be done though. This is my first, an 8mm hollowing tool.

Edit: tips available here:

http://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-tips- ... -tips.html

 

[woodpig]

Also just finished the roughing tool and a quick try proves it works quite well.

 

[chipmunk]

It wasn't a general comment about all TCT tooling.

AFAIK the best TCT tips sold for woodturning, including those sold by Simon Hope, are designed for Aluminium and combine a very fine grained TCT cutting edge with a pretty aggressive top rake.

Most cheap router cutters, and the one here looks old and cheap IMHO, don't use such fine grained TCT and rely on very high cutting speeds to achieve a decent finish.
HTH
Jon

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I'm just thinking to start making some tools. Three house moves in 18 months, and swmbo somehow has managed to lose a 19kg propane cylinder, regulator, hose and torch. How? God only knows.

 

[woodpig]

If any of you want to try making your own tools ensure you use suitable screws for holding the inserts. The Shop-APT supplier linked earlier can supply suitable Torx screws and drivers. The hole in the insert is clearly shown in the data.