Swan neck hollower

[Stigmorgan]

So some of you may have seen that I recently picked up a Hamlet Swan neck hollower shaft from Olivers Woodturning at my local clubs open day, as much as I'd love to be able to afford the handle too it's out my price range for now, what are your go to woods for handles? I've got some Oak and beech spindles that are about 2 inches diameter, also do you have any recommendations for carbide tips?

 

[scooby]

When I had a lathe, I usually made handles from Ash..because I had a load of it. Sorby use ash. Hamlet, Axminster, etc are usually beech. I'd use the beech and save the oak for on the lathe.

Carbide tips https://ukwoodcraftandcarbidechisels.co.uk/replacementcarbidecutters.html

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My go to wood for handles is what I've got to hand. I've made straight tools before, really basic metal work if you have drill bits and taps. I tried the cheapest tips I could find - about £5 for three at the time - and they were fine.

 

[Fergie 307]

When I had a lathe, I usually made handles from Ash..because I had a load of it. Sorby use ash. Hamlet, Axminster, etc are usually beech. I'd use the beech and save the oak for on the lathe.

Carbide tips https://ukwoodcraftandcarbidechisels.co.uk/replacementcarbidecutters.html

Good range but quite expensive.
I suspect looking at them that they are all repurposed metal cutting tips, which are widely available and quite a bit cheaper.

 

[HamsterJam]

Ash but only because I have some suitably sized stock.
Appreciate you already have beech to hand but I found cheap wooden rolling pins from one of the discount stores a useful source.

 

[Richard_C]

Beech makes nich handles, heavy. Ash is fine, I guess any decent hardwood will do, If it's the kind of hollower with a round shaft the issue might be stopping it rotating in the handle, swan neck tools want to twist, depends a bit on the offset. Epoxy in the hole perhaps. You can use a short piece of copper plumbing pipe as a ferrule.

 

[Stigmorgan]

Beech makes nich handles, heavy. Ash is fine, I guess any decent hardwood will do, If it's the kind of hollower with a round shaft the issue might be stopping it rotating in the handle, swan neck tools want to twist, depends a bit on the offset. Epoxy in the hole perhaps. You can use a short piece of copper plumbing pipe as a ferrule.

That's my plan, will also scuff up the end of the shaft a little with some 80grit, and I have plenty of copper and brass to make a ferrule

 

[Robbo3]

You could also make your own handle incorporating an ER collet chuck.
You will need an ER25 for a 16mm (5/8") shaft.
Other ER25 collets will be needed for each size of shaft, if you need to hold tools with smaller diameter shanks.
ER25 collets range from 1mm - 16mm
ER20 collets range from 1mm - 13mm
ER16 collets range from 1mm - 10mm
Collets have a 1mm range thus a 16mm collet will close down to 15mm.
Imperial sizes are also available.
- https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313
- https://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Collets/ER-Collets/ER25-Collets/ER25-Collets

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Hiya stig
I bought two lengths (300mm) of ash from Amazon it was on offer may be worth a look
If the tang of the tool is round as well as the epoxy have a look at burn in method with a locking pin.
Used in knife making
Hope this helps
Katomi

 

[Vulcan]

Good range but quite expensive.
I suspect looking at them that they are all repurposed metal cutting tips, which are widely available and quite a bit cheaper.

Only the cupped ones are for light alloys and plastics. The others are for cutting wood.

This is my normal source of supply:

https://www.ridethebevel.co.uk/

He also has an eBay shop.

 

[Yorkieguy]

I've always thought it a bit odd that woodturners buy wooden handles when they're so easy to turn, though I know that many these days tend to use metal quick release handles with tools that are sharpened a each end. Leastways, most demonstrators seem to.

I made my own set of three carbide tipped tools in early 2021 with tips bought off eBay, such as these from a UK supplier. Two each of round, square and diamond, with six screws:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38758395...5338365712&toolid=20006&customid=EB282390825&

I bought three 300mm lengths of bright mild steel ('BMS') square section bar, ground one end to round to fit into the handle, then shaped the other end to accept the TC cutter, and drilled and tapped a hole to screw the cutter to the bar. To accommodate the diamond-shaped cutter, I cut a slice along the 'business end' of the square bar to make a 'V' shaped notch in it, then brazed it back onto the bar. In pics 4 & 5 below, you'll see the brazing line. Over the years, I've mostly used beech for handles - often discount store rolling pins, but I had some pieces of spalted beech which I used for the carbide tipped tools.

I've found the square tipped tool especially good for pen turning. I found the diamond tool least useful, mainly for scoring the rings of the handles, or little bowls, which I scorch with piano wire.

Some (not very good!), pics attached.

The last pic is of a lathe steady which I made as a 'lockdown project' when we were all under 'house arrest'.

Hope that's of interest.

David.

 

[Vulcan]

I’ve made lots of carbide turning tools. I got fed up keep making fixed handles for each one so I started making interchangeable handles in various materials. Some use collet chucks, others have home made ferrules made from aluminium alloy or stainless steel.
If I’m using wood then it’s nearly always Ash.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If you like to scorch lines, get hold of a bit of formica and use a broken edge. It's easier to use than a wire and it can be used where wire can't be, like on flat surfaces.