Pro-forme hollowing set

[Garmar]

Anyone used this hollowing tool? I have an opportunity to purchase one and would like to know of anyones experiences with the setup and function of this tool.

 

[Owen Lowe]

I have one. I like it. It can be a bit tricky to set up and get the hang of it, but if you treat it like a ring or hook tool (which it is), it should make the learning curve much shorter.

A few years back, a fellow on rec.crafts.woodworking newsgroup by the name of Lyn Mangiameli wrote up much on hollowing tools and the Pro-Forme. Here's the link searching on Lyn and the Proforme:
http://groups.google.com/groups?as_q=proforme&num=10&scoring=r&hl=en&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_ugroup=&as_usubject=&as_uauthors=mangiameli&lr=&as_drrb=q&as_qdr=&as_mind=1&as_minm=1&as_miny=1981&as_maxd=20&as_maxm=10&as_maxy=2007&safe=off

 

[Garmar]

Thanks Owen, I just got mine today. I was beginning to think no one owned this rig and that I bought a "pig in a poke" tool. I will look at Lyn's write-up now.

Gary

 

[Robbie Graham]

Garmar, I use them and they are a very good tool. I also use Rolly Munro's hollower which is good as well but with all hollowing tool they wont do every job.
I find the Pro-former tools very good for roughing out and have it set on an aggressive cut and use the tool gate to put more pressure on the cut.
Robbie

 

[Garmar]

Thanks Robbie, I have the straight cutter and the curved cutter and will probably order the scraper head as well. Thanks for the information.


Gary

 

[waltben]

I've had the swan neck version for three years and love it. After reading the reviews of how tricky it can be, I got an adapter for my Jameson D handle and use it in that. The tool removes an amazing amount of wood very quickly, so be used to starting and stopping to clean out a lot. Also, it's best used at very slow speeds. What I really like is that it isn't a scraper, it's a cutter. I finish all my pieces on the inside just like the outside. Scrapers leave way too much tear out for me.