Bowl Coring System

[Fred Wissen]

I am in the market for a bowl coring system. I have some questions if folks would like to share some information. I am not a big time turner but come across some large logs at times that I would like to core. I am not looking to spend a fortune because I won't use it really often.

If you were going to buy a coring system today, which one would it be?

What is it you like about it?

What is it that you dislike about it?

I look forward to hearing the pros/cons of each system so that I can make an informed decision before I purchase.

Thanks!!

Fred

 

[john lucas]

I bought the McNaughton system after reading posts by others and watching 2 demos by the pros on this machine. I have over 20 years of turning experience and this tool fights me. I haven't done a lot of coring with it yet so I guess you could say I'm inexperienced. However the learning curve is certainly something to consider. I thought with all my years of turning and carefully watching every detail of the demos I attended, that it would be easy to learn. Not so.
I used a friends Oneway coring system. I had instant success. It's a lot more money but certainly easier to use than the McNaughton.
Not trying to recommend one over the other, just listing my experiences.

 

[Fred Wissen]

I bought the McNaughton system after reading posts by others and watching 2 demos by the pros on this machine. I have over 20 years of turning experience and this tool fights me. I haven't done a lot of coring with it yet so I guess you could say I'm inexperienced. However the learning curve is certainly something to consider. I thought with all my years of turning and carefully watching every detail of the demos I attended, that it would be easy to learn. Not so.
I used a friends Oneway coring system. I had instant success. It's a lot more money but certainly easier to use than the McNaughton.
Not trying to recommend one over the other, just listing my experiences.

That's exactly the kind of information I am looking for. Thanks for the response John!

 

[-e-]

the Oneway coring system has served me well. it's a 'no brainer' system that's very easy on the body. however you'll need a lathe that has the power to drive it.

 

[Dale Jablonski]

I also have a Oneway and it does a good job though I am admitedly not an expert. I have noticed that you need to keep the rpm's low and make sure that you double check to see everything is tightened down and the cutter is sharp. I am very happy with it and it didn't cost an arm/leg either.

 

[Fred Wissen]

Well, I have the NOVA 1624. Seems to have decent power. Does anyone have any experience with using a coring system with this lathe?

 

[Bill Weaver]

I bought the McNaughton system after reading posts by others and watching 2 demos by the pros on this machine. I have over 20 years of turning experience and this tool fights me. I haven't done a lot of coring with it yet so I guess you could say I'm inexperienced. However the learning curve is certainly something to consider. I thought with all my years of turning and carefully watching every detail of the demos I attended, that it would be easy to learn. Not so.
I used a friends Oneway coring system. I had instant success. It's a lot more money but certainly easier to use than the McNaughton.
Not trying to recommend one over the other, just listing my experiences.

Ditto I have the same trouble with McNaughton.....every time i try it it fights me.

 

[Dale Jablonski]

Fred, I have a Nova DVR and the Oneway works fine. Plenty of power but I did find that I had to make sure that the banjo didn't loosen up.

 

[Dave Peebles]

Fred, I have a Nova DVR and the Oneway works fine. Plenty of power but I did find that I had to make sure that the banjo didn't loosen up.

Dale, I am wondering why you are using a banjo with this system? Or are you refering to the plate that Oneway provides.


Fred,

I also have the Oneway system that I am very happy with.

I find it simple to set up and it works beautifully. It is a wonderful design that is almost stress free. If you set it up the first time correctly is is impossible to make a funnel.

I have tried some of the others with less than sucessful results, my fault I am sure, but I like things to be as simple as possible. For me the Oneway is just that.

Check out the Glenn Lucas youtube videos for a great look at what the system can do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSQ8H8IjOWo&feature=channel

Best wishes,

Dave

 

[Bill Blasic]

I have the McNaughton and I found it not difficult to use. I saw two live demos before I got it and have all of the DVD's about using it (Reed Gray, Mike Mahoney and Bill Grumbine). It is very versatile but as yet I have not tried coring 7 or 8 bowls ala Mahoney. Also if you have the Monster Hollowing System Randy sells an adapter that allows you to use the laser system from the Monster System on the McNaughton Coring System handle - works great.
Bill

 

[-e-]

additional info on how i core which is a bit different from most:

because the outermost bowls on large blanks are the most valuable, i core from the outside in. this allows for any adjustments on the first coring because you just don't know what you'll find until the knife is in there.

therefore, the blank has a tenon on both sides -- after the first core, flip the blank and cut a new backside tenon, flip back on to core -- repeat.

also, the second tenon helps to break out the inner core on those 'tricky' cores.

 

[Fred Wissen]

Dale, I am wondering why you are using a banjo with this system? Or are you refering to the plate that Oneway provides.


Fred,

I also have the Oneway system that I am very happy with.

I find it simple to set up and it works beautifully. It is a wonderful design that is almost stress free. If you set it up the first time correctly is is impossible to make a funnel.

I have tried some of the others with less than sucessful results, my fault I am sure, but I like things to be as simple as possible. For me the Oneway is just that.

Check out the Glenn Lucas youtube videos for a great look at what the system can do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSQ8H8IjOWo&feature=channel

Best wishes,

Dave

Thanks for the video link Dave!

I have looked at the Oneway system and have a few more questions on the cutter sizes. Do the sizes equate to bowl diameter or depth? Given that I have a 16" swing, I won't need the 16" cutter but only the 13"/11.5"/9" cutters. Or can I just get buy with the two larger? Any input or thoughts?

 

[David Wilkins]

I have used all three systems, some more than others. I didn't like the woodcut enough to buy it. It does work in any lathe by swapping out the tool post. I did find it vibrated the most and had the least flexibility in core shape.

The oneway setup does remove a lot of margin for error, but it isn't easy to sharpen, and again your limited to bowl shape. If you upgrade your lathe in size, you will need to invest in a whole new system.

The mcnaughton does have the steepest learning curve, but when it is properly set up and sharpened it can be done with two fingers. The parting tool can part off a platter on those extra deep blanks. The three knives allow for cores of many shapes and sizes. The system can switch from one lathe to the next by a different size tool post.

I respectfully suggest you use the search function in the two turning sections of the forums here, these tools have been discussed several times and you might find some additional tidbits of information that help you.

 

[robo hippy]

Fred,
I have done numerous posts on coring systems in the main forum. I also demonstrated the 3 coring systems at the AAW symposium when it was in Portland, OR. Please search them for details. I agree with most of what has been said here.

One word on the McNaughton, if you are fighting it, like with any other turning tool, some thing is wrong. Most of the time it is intimidation. It is fairly simple to use, but instruction is really helpful. It is the fastest to use once you learn how, and the fastest to set up, but there is a learning curve.

robo hippy

 

[Fred Wissen]

I have used all three systems, some more than others. I didn't like the woodcut enough to buy it. It does work in any lathe by swapping out the tool post. I did find it vibrated the most and had the least flexibility in core shape.

The oneway setup does remove a lot of margin for error, but it isn't easy to sharpen, and again your limited to bowl shape. If you upgrade your lathe in size, you will need to invest in a whole new system.

The mcnaughton does have the steepest learning curve, but when it is properly set up and sharpened it can be done with two fingers. The parting tool can part off a platter on those extra deep blanks. The three knives allow for cores of many shapes and sizes. The system can switch from one lathe to the next by a different size tool post.

I respectfully suggest you use the search function in the two turning sections of the forums here, these tools have been discussed several times and you might find some additional tidbits of information that help you.

David,

I have read a bunch both here and other places on the systems and your analysis is very helpful! Thanks for giving your experiences.

I had an opportunity to go to a fellow turner's house this weekend and see the McNaughton system in action. I will tell you before I saw it in action by someone that had used it a bunch, I was very reluctant to possibly purchase it. After seeing it in action with the versatility of the blades, I am now looking for the best place to purchase it.

I have only found it online at one place. That is CSUSA.

Anyone know any competitors on pricing? Is it sold only at CSUSA? Maybe my internet searching is just lacking.....

 

[David Wilkins]

Where to buy? I know Lee Valley also carry the mcnaughton system, but I would suggest you look on the Kelton website for retailers.

 

[robo hippy]

Woodcraft does carry it, Packard does not.

robo hippy

 

[n7bsn]

Craft Supplies also carries the entire system. I waited for the (almost) annual summer sale a couple of years ago and got it on a decent deal.
CS-USA has a sale "almost" every August, usually 10% off anything (except lathes)

 

[john lucas]

Question for those who have used the other systems. Why is the McNaughton system more versatil. It seems to me that the size and shape of the bowl is determined by the angle of entry and of course the length of the tool and the circle the tool cuts. It seems like the others have different bars with different circles so if you can change the angle of entry would they not all do more or less the same thing. I don't know having only been on the Oneway for a few minutes and I've never seen the others. I do own the McNaughton and have limited cutters. Just curious and trying to learn

 

[David Wilkins]

Aside from the angle of entry and the length and depth of the bowls, there is the arc. The mcnaughton is the only system that will allow for a deep core or a shallow core. What the oneway and woodcut do is core out a hemispherical shape, you can fiddle to tweak that shape, but not as much as you can with the two or three knives the mcnaughton has.

 

[robo hippy]

All blades on all of the systems are arcs of a circle. The McNaughton has a 'large' curved blade which is in the 20 plus inch radius range. This allows you to core a deep vessel (one that is deeper than it is wide), or to core plate/shallow platter forms off a big blank. The large Oneway blade is maybe an 8 inch radius. You can get a little variation in flatness or depth by some lateral movement of the tool rest, but it is limited because if you go all the way to one side or the other, you will get some binding of the support finger and blade. That is a lot of vertical steel in a kerf.

robo hippy

 

[fgvanatta]

One of the reasons the McNaughton is more versatile is that the blade is not constrained in its movement - the operator controls the blade path, so that you can core out a deep, skinny bowl or a wide shallow one or anything in between. The disadvantage is that you have to "fishtail" the blade to do some of the shapes, and so you may lose a little wood and the resulting bowls won't be as neat a "stack" as some sets that you see in the magazines.

There is enough information out there about how to use this system that the "learning curve" should be minimal.

 

[Aaron G+11]

I cannot remember who made this observation about coring systems, but it rings true. Those who own the Oneway system want the McNaughton, those who own the McNaughton system want the Oneway. Owning both, I find this to be true.

In comparing the two systems there are some similarities. Both are from reputable manufactures and are quality tools. Both require quality lathes that have good power at lower speeds and can be used on lathes from 16" to 24" swing.

Where they differ. The OW has a significantly smaller learning curve and easily replaceable cutters. OW knives have a thinner kerf. The MN is cheaper and lighter. Once set for the largest core, OW does not require any further adjustment to get multiple cores; just swap knives. The MN is able to cut more varied shaped cores. This is in part to the wider kerf and the ability to adjust the shape at each moment. The straight MN blade can be used for other types turning. The MN needs only a banjo to work. Do to my lathe's configuration, this permits outboard coring.

Once mastered, either will suit you well.

good luck.

A.