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Ci1 Easy Rougher

GA Darling

GA Darling

Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
156
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1
Location
Central Ohio
Did anyone have a chance to see the Ci1 Easy Rougher by Easy Wood Tools
at the AAW Symposium? It was supposed to be demonstrated at the Craft Supplies USA booth.

It looks like it would be great to use. Here is a link to it if you haven't seen it yet. http://www.easywoodtools.com/
 
I looked at it while someone was using it. I don't see it as any advantage over a regular scraper. If all you did was use it to rough out bowls I'm sure it holds an edge much longer. I seldom use a scraper for roughing bowls because I can do that nicely with a bowl gouge. I prefer the gouge because I feel I can control the shape so much more accurately. I use my scrapers almost exclusively for shear scraping.
 
I saw him demonstrating it. I didn't buy it. I have good tools to do what he was doing and saw no pressing need for another duplicate. Did like the shield that deflected the curls.

Jim
 
The Easy Rougher is a 'civilized' version of a tool that was developed by the Oregon coastal myrtle wood bowl turners. It is called the 'big ugly tool'. 3/4 inch square steel, maybe 30 inches long with a 2 inch long by 7/8 wide by 1/8 inch thick piece of tantung steel silver slodered to each end. You wear a protective glove on your left hand. The Tantung will keep an edge for hours, even longer than a Thompson gouge, and you can sharpen it on a standard grinder. They would turn bowls at 4,000 rpm. It works excently on spindles as well as bowls, and in a shear mode can give as good a surface cut as any tool I have seen. Of course, this was in the hands of an expert.

As far as scrapers, I have converted. I learned with gouges, and started messing around with scrapers to see what those who knew how to use them knew what I didn't. I now use them exclusivly for all my bowl roughing, and for shear scraping. I can remove shavings as fast or faster than I can with a gouge, they will cut in both directions (push and pull), and the shavings are directed up over my hand, rather than across my pinky finger. Don't think I will go back. I do still like to get a finish cut with the gouge, but clean up with a scraper.

robo hippy
 
I've got one, and I love it, for roughing out bowls, it is hard to beat. Even with big ugly out of round blanks, it just simply roughs them out faster than anything else out there, and the tool does not beat you up like a bowl gouge does on an uneven surface.

This is not a do everything tool, it roughs out bowl blanks like know body's business, plain and simple.

I have some videos of it in use on my >> YouTube << page.

The carbide insert on this tool is like no other on the market, it was designed from the ground up to cut wood.

I have a good dozen bowls roughed out with the first side of the insert, there are four sides, and these bowls are all about 10" in diameter, and from not green, but not dry Keyaki, which is a MUCH harder cousin to Elm.

The tool just plain works, and makes roughing out bowl blanks easy work.

........and no, I'm not affiliated with the company at all, just a very satisfied customer that was a big time skeptic at first, but Craig, the guy who runs the company, told me if I did not like it, I could send it back, and he would refund my money, well, he is NOT getting it back, this thing makes the job of roughing out bowls really easy.

I agree that I'll still be using my bowl gouges for the finishing cuts.

Cheers! :D
 
This isn't the same thing but it is a scraper. My Friend Ed uses it to rough out really big bowls really fast. I think it's a combination of the smaller scraper with the big handle that makes it comfortable. Of course you can see the other tips available.
http://www.bigsticktools.com./bigstick.htm
I don't have one of these but do have one of his smaller handles and use it with a 1/2" bowl gouge for roughing.
 
Purchased one in Richmond - WOW!

I purchased an Easy Rougher at the AAW in Richmond and have used it to rough out two bowls - both 12" D (dry hard maple and dry mahogany). The tool cuts so quickly that it may scare you! Very effortless to use. Combination of great carbide, very thick shank (.500"), and long handle make for vibration free cutting. It is obviously not designed as a finishing tool. The tool's performance matches the designer/manufacturer's passion!
 
John, with respect, the Big Stick is not the same thing as the Ci1. The main reason is the carbide insert in the Ci1, it was designed from the ground up to cut wood, most carbide tipped tools on the market were adapted from a metal cutting roll to cut wood.

I look at the Ci1 as an evolution of tools like the Big Stick.

YMMV :)
 
Long Time User of the Ci1

Skepticism is natural. And so is resistance to change.
True, the Ci1 was not designed to replace all your other tools.
False, the Ci1 is nothing but a fancy scraper.
True, the Ci1 can be used to core, rough, turn beads, pens, and tenons.
False, the Ci1 can only be used on wood.

The tool was designed to remove wood, quickly and efficiently, without the fatigue factor you usually feel during the roughing phase. And like other original designs, once placed in the field in experimenter's hands, the tool was found to be able to serve several other functions. I use mine for everything, even pen turning. Just can't get too close to the bushings with it.:eek: Some people have used it to turn alabaster, soapstone, soft metals (brass, aluminum, copper), acrylics, etc.

Craig Jackson, the Ci1 designer, was demonstrating it in Richmond. I was helping in his booth, and perhaps may have spoken to you during his demo. Honestly, the tool is remarkable. I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and can't stand to hold a gouge during roughing without taking breaks. I can complete the entire task with the Ci1 and then some. There's no rolling the tool from side to side. All cuts are flat on the tool rest, holding the handle parallel to the floor. In and out, side to side and that's all there is to it.

Also, there's no other tool that I have come across that has the satisfaction waranty he offers. He'll buy it back from you if you're not satisfied. :eek:
 
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