home made turning tools

[cornucopia]

hello folks

I had a go today at making some home made hollowing tools- I had a few problems with not being able to get the steel hot enough (it needs to glow cherry red) and my vice not being strong enough to cope :roll: so i only managed one bent tool, i will have to borrow my dad's big vice and do some more. but heres the idea

I orderd some 1/2" silver steel from chronos u.k and some hss tips in 3/16" and 1/4"

tips

heres a centre drill and 1/4" and 3/16" drill bits

use the centre drill to start the hole then switch to the normal drill bit

heres the 3 i managed today i would have liked to have done one more bent one but i really needed a big vice so i will have to do that one another day.

I thoght I had some ash for some handles but when I went to find it it was gone :shock: so the handles will also be for another day :roll:

 

[SVB]

Nice work George, there is over £240 on the bench there at hollowing tool prices!

Are you going to 'releave' the bend / cutting tip off-set in a swan neck to remore the torque on the handle or is it a case of hang on tight and go for it?! :wink:

Simon.

 

[DaveL]

I thoght I had some ash for some handles but when I went to find it it was gone :shock: so the handles will also be for another day :roll:

I am glad I am not the only one with a hole in the space time continuum in the shop, even after buying a new set of barrel trimmers the old ones have still not reappeared. :roll:

Very large tools George, how do you stop the whole thing going round in your hand with that amount of over hang?

 

[wizer]

Very Nice work George. Metal work is one thing I'd love to do but doubt I'll ever have the time.

Are the tips replaceable? If not, how do you sharpen them?

So, are you taking commissions

 

[cornucopia]

hello chaps - perhaps these pictures are deceptive the tools aren't very big- the two tools with 1 1/4" long 45 degree tips are really nice to use- and when the tips wear down heat up the ca glue and pop a new one in.

the bent tool did bend a bit low down for my liking but i have used one similar which was o.k- these tools are only used to take that last little bit of wood away from a hard to reach shoulder etc so very light finishing cuts plus its on a 3/16" tip so i don't think it will be too bad to use but i will let you know.

:lol: tom you really dont want one of my frakensteins buy some steel there very easy to do

 

[Paul.J]

Very good George
Would it be possible to have the tips held with a small bolt so they could be adjusted,perhaps even swiveled to change the angle :?
Could you use 5/8" bar :?:

 

[gasmansteve]

Hi George
If the 1/2"steel bars are only used to hold the HSS bits is there a reason why they have to be silver steel or could any steel bars suffice?
Regards
Steve

 

[TEP]

I've made quite a few hollowing tools and used 'Bright Mild Bar', you can pick it up at most stockists. I use 1/2 ", 5/8" and 3/4" bar. All comes in approx. 11' sections.

All fitted with HSS tips from Chronos.

 

[RogerB]

Hi George

Why not use 1/2 square mild steel bar which would help to stop the twist when in use and make it easier to drill and tap for a grub screw to lock the tip.

Roger

 

[Bodrighy]

It would be easy to fit a handle on it if needed wouldn't it? As you say though it is only for light work so maybe you won't need it. It's not as though you don't know what you are doing is it? :lol:

Pete

 

[cornucopia]

paul j- use any size bar you want- i have some in 5/8" and 3/8" drill and tap if you want but its not necessary.

rogerb- they don't twist that much- normally twist problems occour when turners have the "attack " mindset and poor posture.

tep & gasman- use any steel/metal you wish to - but i use silver steel as does david ellsworth.

silver steel is cheap and easy to drill- i struggled today due to not having map gas and needing a bigger vice.

I do not know the in's and out's of steel- so i am not advocating any steel due to the obvious dangers involved- i read david ellsworth hollowing book and this is how he does his- this is not a "I reccomend you do it like this" thread just a "here's what i've been up to"

 

[Oakbear]

I hope my visit didn't delay the handle making?!

Thanks for the instruction though.
When i finally pick up the courage to get hollowing i may try something similar.

 

[Jenx]

Brilliant, George ...
Look forward to seeing what these hollowers create ! 8)

 

[John. B]

George :wink: Brilliant, a man after my own heart.
Like you I like to make my own tools especially when you look at the prices asked.

George, a few fire bricks in a metal can like an old BBQ creating a mini forge, the fire bricks reflecting the heat quickly gets it to red heat, easier to bend.
I modified this 1/2" bar so it would take the sorby hollowing tool cutters,

It reaches much further than the sorby. it's ground back a long way to enable it to swing, it's what I used on my mini disaster last week.
I thought of getting some aluminium tube for a handle. I've a small metal lathe so I can turn a steel inset and with grub screws you can change it for a different shaped bar. Adds weight and stiffness to the whole setup.
(The bottom bar is the Sorby hollowing tool)

John. B