Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 As a purely amateur WW on a modest budges, I often find myself in the predicament of wanting to take on projects but not necessarily having all the "right" tools. We all know there is more than one way to do things with our projects so I'm looking for a little guidance. In the latest issue of Fine woodworking there is a really nice stool that my wife pointed out me, so I'm going to attempt to make it. I'm really excited as it is well outside of the realm of projects I've done before (primarily rectilinear box/cabinet/table sort of things). One of the tools used in the article is a travisher, which is something I wasn't familiar with before. It looks wonderful and like the ideal tool for the use it is being employed, however, googling around, they seem to run for over $150, which is a lot for me as I'm not really sure if this stool will be a one off or something I will repeat, in which case the $150 may be justified. Any suggestions on hollowing out seats on a budget? I still want to enjoy the build, but for now, most dedicated hand tools in this price range simply aren't in the cards. By the way, you can get a peak at the stool here, though you need a subscription for the full article: http://www.finewoodworking.com/woodworking-plans/article/build-a-simple-stool.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 A slightly cheaper alternative if you're not hung up on using only hand tools...an angle grinder and carving disc can be had for less than a hundred beans...and you can probably find discs for cheaper but I wouldn't know how well the budget ones work. You'll certainly use the grinder again, if not for more sculpting then a random DIY project. https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-PC60TAG-6-0-Amp-2-Inch-Grinder/dp/B004X5NNGG/ref=sr_1_4?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1470847178&sr=1-4&keywords=angle+grinder https://www.amazon.com/Kutzall-Extreme-Carving-Disc-Tungsten/dp/B00EIO0T2I - OR - If you told me you couldn't find a used travisher on ebay for less than $50 shipped...I wouldn't believe you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Wright Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 You can use a grinder with a flap disk to carve it out. you could use gouges to take out most of the material. for more of the final work you could use a card scraper. Also, you could try and find a bowl gouge, but new would be over $100. you could make a travisher just a curved Spoke shave. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 3 minutes ago, Eric. said: A slightly cheaper alternative if you're not hung up on using only hand tools...an angle grinder and carving disc can be had for less than a hundred beans...and you can probably find discs for cheaper but I wouldn't know how well the budget ones work. You'll certainly use the grinder again, if not for more sculpting then a random DIY project. https://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-PC60TAG-6-0-Amp-2-Inch-Grinder/dp/B004X5NNGG/ref=sr_1_4?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1470847178&sr=1-4&keywords=angle+grinder https://www.amazon.com/Kutzall-Extreme-Carving-Disc-Tungsten/dp/B00EIO0T2I That is a great suggestion. I actually have that exact grinder, I hadn't thought of that at all. Hand carving it is appealing, but I'm going to ponder on this. It looks like the disc you suggestion comes in a variety of grits, is the course the way to go for this function? I imagine so, to remove enough material, but just checking. Does the travisher have another name? I did check on Ebay, but only found two postings, one was just an iron and the other for $126. I could take the iron and make my own, though frankly I'm not really sure what I'm looking at or how it would be constructed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Wright Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 1 minute ago, Isaac Gaetz said: That is a great suggestion. I actually have that exact grinder, I hadn't thought of that at all. Hand carving it is appealing, but I'm going to ponder on this. It looks like the disc you suggestion comes in a variety of grits, is the course the way to go for this function? I imagine so, to remove enough material, but just checking. Correct you could just do it with two grits and then hand sand or scrape the finish. also if those cost too much you can get flap disks for the grinder. they are cheaper. but the wood grinding head is a lot faster and more fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 2 minutes ago, James Wright said: Correct you could just do it with two grits and then hand sand or scrape the finish. also if those cost too much you can get flap disks for the grinder. they are cheaper. but the wood grinding head is a lot faster and more fun. It does sound like fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 40 minutes ago, Isaac Gaetz said: Hand carving it is appealing, but I'm going to ponder on this. It looks like the disc you suggestion comes in a variety of grits, is the course the way to go for this function? I imagine so, to remove enough material, but just checking. I have no personal experience with the Kutzall discs because I've always used the Arbortech Turboplane https://www.amazon.com/Arbortech-IND-FG-400-Turbo-Plane/dp/B008NA2IJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470849941&sr=8-1&keywords=arbortech+turboplane and its crazy older cousin https://www.amazon.com/Arbortech-IND-FG-200-Industrial-Pro-Kit/dp/B003DPX4HK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470850062&sr=8-1&keywords=arbortech+industrial+woodcarver But I've seen Marc use the Kutzalls so I'm sure they work fine. I bet they throw a ton of dust though. Respirator, fo sho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 When I built the maloof rocker i used this. (The one on the right) It worked great. http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=71098&cat=1,130,43409,43424 Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 Thanks for the input everyone. I think that is the way I'll go since I already have a grinder. I'm actually getting excited. I wonder if anything else in my shop could use a bit of grinding.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 The turbo plane works great, but is fairly pricy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 22 minutes ago, Barron said: The turbo plane works great, but is fairly pricy. Ha yes, it actually approaches or exceeds the cost of the travisher... I have no doubt both of these tools are useful and fun to use, hope i can get a chance to use them sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 10, 2016 Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 Buy this pullshave before a travisher. Easier on the knuckles. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,310&p=54888 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2016 29 minutes ago, C Shaffer said: Buy this pullshave before a travisher. Easier on the knuckles. http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,310&p=54888 Cool, another expensive hand tool I haven't seen before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Traditionally, I think a lot of the butt scoop material was removed with an azde and it was cleaned up with the travisher. I don't see any reason you couldn't remove the bulk with the grinder and refine with a scraper or sander or whatever you do have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 If you *really* want to save money, Eric's idea but using a HF 4-1/2" grinder (instead of the PC) that can be had on sale for less than $10 would get you going. Not the same quality, but also not the same $$! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 1 hour ago, micks said: If you *really* want to save money, Eric's idea but using a HF 4-1/2" grinder (instead of the PC) that can be had on sale for less than $10 would get you going. Not the same quality, but also not the same $$! I think the OP stated he already had the PC grinder. I've nerd tried any HF tools, but I've been tempted by a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 HF has a kutzall-type disk, as well as the king arthur deathtraps (chainsaw wheels). Another hand tool option I've seen St. Roy use is called a Scorp. Something else to look for on ebay. I have the HF grinder with the paddle switch, and a kutzall brand wheel. Works great for sculpting wood, but I don't believe any dust collection system on the market can keep up with the cloud it generates. Use it outside, and wear a mask. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Timber Tuff TMB-05DC Curved Draw Shave Tool, 5" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3A6VXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_zo-QxbQTVHSD6 $25 Might have to re-grind the cutting edge to get the bevel you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galturner Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 do you own a router? make a template and use a router to hog it out. It will be quite clean , and you willonly need to clean it up with sandpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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