Hook Tool for Hollowing End-Grain

bonsaipeter · Nov 17, 2004

I have heard that a hook tool works very well for hollowing in end-grain and that they are fairly simple to make. I would like some advice on how to shape, bevel, and sharpen the hook? Does anyone have some detailed pictures of hook tools that work well for them. Is there a website that gives this kind of information in detail?

Thanks, Peter Toch

C Edward Moore · Nov 17, 2004

Hi Peter,

Alan Lacer mentioned hook tools when he did the Blue Ridge demo. In fact, he showed the excellent cut that they give on end grain.

Alan has several handouts on his website, www.alanlacer.com, including one on hook tools. To see it, click on hook tools

Knowing your inclination to make tools, these are easily within your reach.

Rick Prevett · Nov 17, 2004

Peter, Darrell Feltmate has an article on making the hook for the hook tool from a masonry nail (I think). That can be found here:

Darrell's Hook Tool

rick

Hugh · Nov 18, 2004

Trying to pick my old, weak brain - I think there was an article in either the Journal - you could check on the CD that AAW now provides (for $) - or the article was in Fine Woodworking. In the artilce it described how to make the tool from start to finish with drawings, etc. I will try to find the article and let you know where I found it. Also - at one of the symposiums about 4-5 years ago - there was a demo on how to make a hook tool. Good luck!.
Hugh

bonsaipeter · Nov 21, 2004

Hook Tool Details

Hugh said:
Trying to pick my old, weak brain - I think there was an article in either the Journal - you could check on the CD that AAW now provides (for $) - or the article was in Fine Woodworking. In the artilce it described how to make the tool from start to finish with drawings, etc. I will try to find the article and let you know where I found it. Also - at one of the symposiums about 4-5 years ago - there was a demo on how to make a hook tool. Good luck!.
Hugh

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Hi Hugh:
I would appreciate it if you would let me know where you saw the article on making the hook tool from start to finish. Thanks in advance for your reseach.

Peter Toch

Erwin Nistler · Nov 21, 2004

I have a hook tool that I amde at a club meeting. It works well but I need to sharpen it after very little use. I will be watching this thread to find what I did wrong or can do better next time.

arbud · Nov 21, 2004

Temper, temper

How to temper carbon steel: 1. Heat the metal to a deep, cherry, red, colour and quench in water. The metal is now brittle so be careful. 2. Either grind or file your cutting/scraping edge. 3. Reheat the metal to a deep blue colour and quench in water. The metal is now tempered. 4. regrind/file the cutting/scraping edge to final sharpness. The "edge" should hold for several hours of turning hard woods. :cool2:

Andrew · Nov 21, 2004

Here's a nice primer on heat treatments for metals...

http://www.anvilfire.com/FAQs/heat_faq_index.htm

some more information on types of steels ...

http://www.key-to-steel.com/Articles.htm

and a little on making a hook tool ...

http://www.angelfire.com/va3/tommiesplace.com/index4.html

Hugh · Nov 21, 2004

Hi there Group - I found the article I was looking for. You need to check out the article in "American Woodturner" - summer 2000 - Vol. 15 No. 2 - page 24 - 27. The artilce is called "I'm Hooked" - by Raul V. Pena. The article describes how to use and make the tool - heat treating and all. For some reason I think there is another article out there that I have not found yet. If I find it - I will post it. Otherwise this is it. In the article - the author uses O-1 (oil hardening) drill rod. I have found two places which I have done business with that sell drill rod - ENCO and MSC. Both can be found on the internet. I live in California and I have ordered from ENCO in the morning and had the shipment delivered to me the next day (they have a warehouse in Fallon, Nevada). Drill rod is cheap so you can make a bunch of tools. Let me know how you do with the hook tool - both in the making and the using. I make most of my hollowing tools using drill rod and a tool bit. But have never tried a hook tool. Good luck.
Hugh

bonsaipeter · Nov 25, 2004

Thank for info on hook tool

Thanks for the information on the hook tool. Between Alan Lacer's website and the article in American Woodturner I have enough information to start making my own hooks. I will give it a try.

Thanks again, Peter Toch