BigBen Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 I recently took up wood turning as the next step in my wood working addiction, turning has been extremely fun but costly. As I have been turning every log I could get my hand on, I have had a real hard time doing small vases and hollow forms. I have looked into buy some hollow form tools but dont have the funds the buy what I would like, Robert Sorby SOV-22S-ULTM Medium Ultima Hollowing System So I have decided to make my own, I have no experience doing so. This will be a learning experience for me. My goal is to make full set of hollowing tools for under $100. After searching google, youtube, LJs and http://thewoodwhisperer.com this is what I have come up with. Set will consist of three chisels: Straight, 22 degree bend, 45 degree bend. Option 1: Cut 5/8" Cold Rolled Steel to 12" long, drill 3/16" hole 1.5" deep in the head of the of rod. Drill, tap and die holes for set screws into rod and insert 3/16" HSS cutter. The rods will be bent at the 2” mark. 3/16" HSS cutter 5/8" Cold Rolled Steel Set screw Need to determine size, suggestions? Concern with this method: Can I bend the rod using propane torch? Option 2: Cut 3/8" Square Rod 12" long. Grind recess on end 3/16” deep by 3/8” wide. Drill, tap and die hole for set screw. I would like to make 3, one straight, 22 degree bend and 45 degree bend. This replicates what Eddie Castelin has done (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asbxBgGOhas&feature=feedf) but with a bend. Concern with this method: I am not sure what size hole I will need to secure cutter to rod. Concern with this method: Can I bend the rod using propane torch? Carbide Cutter 3/8" Square Rod Questions, comment and donations are appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger T Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Ben, Watch this vid by Capt Eddie, he fills in some of the missing info for the other vid. http://www.bayouwoodturner.org/ez-tool-you-tube.html If you are bending 5/8" cold rolled, one torch may not provide enough heat. You may need to use 2 torches to get it hot enough. Or consider using Mapp gas instead. It gets much hotter than propane. I've given up on propane, and only use Mapp now. If you have a propane torch now, consider just adding a Mapp torch to your toolset. Using both, you will get the job done. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 ben keep us abreast of how your doing i would like to know how well you made them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 in fact if you can figure it out maybe ill buy a set from you since i now own a lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBen Posted November 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Roger, I dont have a torch, so getting Mapp gas would make sense rather than upgrading later. I really dont want to buy torch twice and wish I could find a way that would concretely allow me to bend the rod. Capt Eddie gives the size for the threaded hole for the square cutter, the round cutter not the same size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBen Posted November 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 In researching making my own hollowing tools I have come into one main problem. I am a wood worker and don’t have metal working tools (and no intention to). I have received a good amount feedback concerning the amount of heat I will need to get the rod in a malleable state. This is one my concerns, the other is drilling into the end of the rod. Today I went by several machine shops to see what the cost for bending and drilling the rods. I would tap the rods myself. None of them provide the service I needed. I then stopped by my neighborhood gas station, spoke with the manager and he agreed to bend 6 robs for me for $20. He did tell me that I needed to provide a jig a(simple 2x set up) to ensure the rods were the shape I wanted. I would grind the ends down and tap for the carbide cutter. If I go this route, that mean not using the HSS inserts, which I am fine with. It does create the question of what six rods would be a good set. Currently I am thinking :2 - 3/8”2 - 1/2”2 – 5/8” Each pair would consist of 22 and 45 bend at the 2” mark. Thoughts? Is there a better placement for the bend than the 2” mark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted November 5, 2011 Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 sorry man dont k now anything about metal but im realy inturested in this post since i like the thought of making everything from scratch. i even realy like the thought of making all my lumber with my own mill before i make anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBen Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Yesterday I will to Home Depot and pick up some steel rods to make the chisels. 3/8”, ½” and 5/8”. When I got home I was looking at the 5/8” rod and decided to try just clamping the rod my bench and drilling a hole. I figured the worse that could happen would be that I need to cut off the damage piece and still have enough. Clamping rod to the bench top, loaded a 7/32” bit into my corded drill. The results were so so. It was painfully slow and I was not getting the depth I wanted. Then it was suggested to me to start with a smaller bit and work way up and to also use my drill press. I regard my drill press as a true POS. But after making a crude jig, it worked with no issue. The only limitation I had was that my drill press was the clearance under the longest bit would only allow for a 12” rod. I don’t this will be prove to be awould only allow for could fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBen Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 I have complete most of the chisels and I am very happy with their performance. But definately see some areas where I can improve. The currently the set contains: Straight 1/2" rod with round carbide cutter Straight 1/2"rod with square carbide cutter Curved 1/2" rod with round carbide cutter Straight 5/8" rod with HHS insert Curved 5/8" rod with HHS insert Straight 1/2" rod with round carbide cutter: This worked well and left a good finish but I prefer to use a gouge for final surface, I will mount this cutter on a 3/8" rod to see how it performs with the extra clearance. Straight 1/2"rod with square carbide cutter: This work excellent for roughing but in hind sight should have gotten the radius cutter. Curved 1/2" rod with round carbide cutter I will mount this cutter on a 3/8" rod to see how it performs with the extra clearance. Straight 5/8"and Curved 5/8" rod with HHS insert: These worked like a champ for removing material but did not leave the surface smooth. Albeit the piecewas punky wood. I also need to get square inserts, I ordered round inserts which I had to grind the top flat and put a fingernail grind on. The grinding of the top I believe increasing the chatter of the tool. Curved 5/8" rod with HHS insert. I also got some 1 3/8" aluminum rod, cut it to 18" length, drilled 3/8" and 1/2" holes on the end of one and 5/8" hole on the other. I also still have a number of rods for future tools, I am sure that I will be using them. I already know I want a chisel with a more extreme bend to get under the lip of a hollow form. Cost: 146 Steel Rods $30 Bending Rods $20 HSS Inserts $13 Carbide cutters $40 Tap and die set $20 Set Screws $8 Aluminum Rods $15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 If you want to do these without carbide you can make something like the Kelton system real easy or just buy the Keltons and make a handle. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.