Do I need a hollowing tool for this?

[gasmansteve]

Hi all
Sorry if this is blindingly obvious but - I am slowly building a vase made from 18 segmented rings each ring about 3/4" tall. As with most segmented items the outside turning is actually done at the end when the thing is all in one piece however getting the inside smooth is another thing . I have been fixing three rings at a time then smoothing the inside with a homemade curved scraper which does clatter a bit but seems to work ok but my problem is then getting the next three layers to smoothly run into previous ones by which time its too deep to then scrape furthur into the vase. I think I need a hollowing tool for this maybe one of the types with a small detachable wheel, Am I barking up the wrong tree or is there another way to do it please?
Cheers
Steve

 

[cornucopia]

how far over the toolrest are you trying to work?
you can user a negative rake scraper 6" ish over the rest if its got a good length handle on it.

 

[gasmansteve]

The toolrest is nearly touching the vase and the scraper is going in about 5-6" each time but it nearly gets thrown out of my hand. I did try my bowl gouge laid at 90degs to the left to try a soft scraping type cut but that was more dodgy than the scraper was. Each ring is made of 12 segments so there are some harsh corners to smooth off, easy on the outside not so on the inside and piece of cake on a wide bowl. I guess I could have chosen an easier thing to make ah what the hell . What about the hollowing tool idea?
Cheers
Steve
Ps my home made scraper doesn`t have a handle on it its just a piece of thick steel 12" long ground to a curve, maybe thats the problem whoops!

 

[boysie39]

Steve,I think you are a bit like me you want to get a tool and all you need is for someone to say Yes you need a Hollowing tool. I know nothing about Hollowing tools, only to say I've seen a bloke using what I thought at first was a hedge strimmer it was that long. So go on get the Big Brother or the ROLY. If it wont do the job someone will take it off your hands.
Remember this is from someone who has problems hollowing a goblet.
If you Google up Roly or Big Brother Hollowing you should get some Info. REgards Boysie

 

[gasmansteve]

Hi Boysie
Think I can agree with you there about the chisels :wink: you never can have too many can you?. Seriously though I simply don`t want to ba**s it up as it takes an age to mitre,glue up and sand flat each segment/ring. I can only liken it to turning a vase from a solid piece of wood, would a hollowing tool be used for that? I guess if the answers yes then that possibly would be ok for my setup.
Regards
Steve

 

[CHJ]

....Ps my home made scraper doesn`t have a handle on it its just a piece of thick steel 12" long ground to a curve, maybe thats the problem whoops!

:shock: :shock:

Please don't continue using it, visions of fingers/hands filling the segment voids are not pretty.

You need something much sturdier with a longer handle for leverage control as cornucopia mentioned.

Not saying you need to go this far for your tasks but look how strong the boring kit is this guy uses. Lyle Jamieson hollowing tool with the tear drop cutter

Can you not turn each segment as you go with a normal bowl gouge and sand?

 

[Bodrighy]

Decent hollowing tools like the Roly Munro are not cheap but apparently are good for bowl workl as well. I'll echo Chas regarding using an unhandled tool especially if you don't know what steel it is. Things like files which peope sometimes use are really brtlle and in situations where you get a lot of chatter like you are describing could go off in your hands....nasty :!: :!: :!:

I have found that unless I have got a really small entry hole I can reach most parts of a vase with a decent size bowl gouge. Remember that the heavy the gouge the more stable it will be. Go gently and take small shear cuts and you should be able to do it.

HTH Pete

 

[gasmansteve]

Thanks for that Chas.
Yes I must admit the scaper is a bit scary, I`ll confine it to the bin :roll: .
I could try smoothing a ring at a time but then I`d have to do the same blending with each susequent ring which might be easier than I`m making it out to be!. I thought one of the available hollowing tools would just be the magic wand I needed. Incidently having never made a vase what tool would you use for hollowing say a 6" wide vase?
Regards
Steve

 

[Bodrighy]

Incidently having never made a vase what tool would you use for hollowing say a 6" wide vase?
Regards
Steve

A lot depends on the size of your opening as this determines the angle that you can get at the inside from. I use a bowl gouge and also have a Sorby hollowing tool which is basically a hook. You need to make sure that you only keep the straight part of it on the rest mind or it twists like crazy.

Pete

 

[gasmansteve]

Cheers Pete.
Just replied to Chas and noticed your reply. So a bowl gouge is the way!!. Trying to visualize a bowl gouge hollowing down a 16" vase. I really should go on one of these courses on how to hold/use chisels.
Steve

 

[CHJ]

You would be better off making yourself an Oland tool and support Gate like this:

See halfway down This thread

A square shanked tool and any form of slotted gate (rollers are a luxury) that stops it twisting if it tends to catch are a boon, takes all the twisting loads off the hands and allows concentration on tool contact/approach.

 

[cornucopia]

allot of good advice -above.

genrally with hollowing you need a good 2' long handle, this can then go under your forarm and is allot easier to use.
if your not going to be hollowing allot then a home made tool may be teh anwser, if your going to be doing allot of hollowing it might be worth saving up for the rolly munroe tool.
If you already had a scraper its well worth trying the negative rake technique, it wont grab like a normal scraper will and gives superb results on most timbers. all you need to do is grind a secondary bevel on top of your scraper, you then sharpen it as normal using it straight from the grinder as its the burr you want.

i'll see if i can find some pics of mine

 

[TEP]

I echo the 'Oland' tool principal as you are just starting out with hollowing. The cost of some of these commercial hollowing tools are horrendous, and unless you have loads of spare cash, or are turning for a living you can do as much with a home made tool as a bought one. It generally just takes a bit longer.