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I finally got around to finishing this tool. I have done a little hollowing but always had to use the boring bar. I did not get the "feel" I needed to do the final cuts with that long of a tool, so I made this one patterned after the Sorby and others sold in the woodworking catalogs. It is not chrome plated but it is real close in shape and has a flat bottom bar.

The bar is a bent piece of 3/4 square hot rolled steel with the handle end turned to 5/8". I milled the end back flat to hold different cutters and it has 10-32 thread through the end. I still have to make a few more cutters.
The handle is mahogany with 3 coats of high gloss lacquer.
....................Jim

Gallery

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Looks like it's all set to get the business done Jim, great idea you can buy / make whatever tips you want:)
PETE
 

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Oh I know that'll be turnin out some hollowed art of yers
 

· In Loving Memory
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Looks great Jim, look forward to seeing your hollowing projects.
 

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Nice. I've been meaning to make one of these, but haven't turned a bowl in a while so the impetus wasn't there. What do you use for cutters?

Also, am I right that you just heated and bent a piece of 3/4" round stock for the neck? When I make mine, I won't be able to mill the tang down since I don't have a metal lathe, but the rest I can accomplish with a torch, hammer, anvil, and grinder, I should think.
 

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Yes Grfrazee, I heated it with a torch and then kept putting on this template I drew on a piece of aluminum until I got the bend right. You just have to keep moving the cherry red spot so it will yield. I put a pipe on one end for more torque to bend it..
Without turning down the handle end first, you would have to put it in about a 7/8" hole in the handle. I also milled the bottom flat before I bent it so it had a nice flat surface to anchor on the tool rest. I tried it with a round boring tool but it rolled too much.

I make the cutters out of A-2 tool steel. I mill and grind them to shape, drill a hole in then then harden them with the acetylene torch.

You really don't need this for a bowl. It is needed for a hollow vessel to cut and clean up the inside surface.
 

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Jim
That is beautiful looking tool you crafted and a sign of a true crafts man to make his own tools .
Well done and I am looking for ward to the report on it's performance in use .
BTW does it whistle ? LOL
 

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It looks professionally done Jim. You did good. I like making my own tools too. I hope to do one like this. It looks useful for future projects.
 

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Well done.
These tools can be very expensive to buy.
I never even thought of making my own.
You even make your own cutters as well. Brilliant!
I might give this one a try.
Thanks for sharing.
 

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Thanks, guys.

  • Kiefer, I will report on how it works. I am looking into different shape tips to see what I really want to use. I had this crazy idea of making one like the shape of the front of a bedan for hogging. I primarily use the bedan for going deep to start to hollow anything. It really removes wood!!!!! It would be nice to have one at the end of this tool if it will work!! I could go sideways with it!!..............Jim
 

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Now you'll just have to make a Hollow Roller for those tricky forms.
 

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Hi grfrazee, I built the Jamieson boring bar with a laser that is a whole lot easier to set up and run. I don't know how that Carter roller system counters the torque when you are cutting way off center. The Jamieson system has a loop on the back the runs between two bars ( that are not rollers) and counters all the torque so you don't feel any of it. I'd add a picture but I can't get anything loaded on photobucket any more.
Carter stuff is pricey!...................Jim
 

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Cool being able to make your own tools.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Clever work Jim.
 

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very cool
 

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A most professional job Jim, especially the bending. About three years ago I bought this hollowing tool made by a local turner who makes them in three sizes, this one being the middle one. As you can see, I've bent it to make it more suitable for bowls. As good as it is, it doesn't compare to the VERMEC set shown, which improved my turning no end.




 

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G'day, Harry. Thanks for the photos. I think I will be making a tip with the big radius next for cleaning up the surface. I have never see a double armed boring unit like that. Does that arm you bent rest on a support to counterbalance the torque? I'd like to see it in action!!
In that last shot- the Vermec- it looks like that round cutter is at a negative rake. Is that so? How does it work that way? Does it ride on the bevel side of that round cutter like you would with a bowl gouge?

Thanks, Jim
 

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Great looking tool Jim, if it works like it looks you will be turning bowl #100 in just a few weeks ;)

Wish I had a mill and metal lathe!! ;(

Thanks for sharing
 
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