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SURVEY: Would you buy this tool if available

John Tisdale

John Tisdale

Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
462
Likes
470
Location
Dallas, TX
First, an explanation:
  • I do large mesquite, walnut, and maple hollow forms - hollowing tool of choice is the 3/4" Rolle Munro. Took a while to go over the learning curve but figured out how to make it work.
  • Got several large very green koa logs - Rolle Munro clogs in a second or two no matter how sharp the cutter and how narrow or wide the setting. I use a pivot pin tool rest and can apply lots of pressure - still can't make it work. I don't think any shielded cutter will work on koa.
  • Tried the #1 hunter square shank retro tool in a straight 3/4" bar - works like a dream. No anxious moments.
  • PROBLEM: the straight bar doesn't do well on the underside of the top - need to angle the cutter and extend it slightly to the left to make those underside cuts.
  • SOLUTION: A cutter head like the standard Rolle Munro that attaches to the Rolle Munro link but with a #1 Hunter cutter without shield
I'm building a prototype now - will be done in a couple of weeks - will send pics when it's done and results are known.

SURVEY QUESTION: Do you believe this tool would be useful? Cost will be a bit more than $50 and hopefully under $100. I'm not soliciting a commitment but would appreciate the typical critical thinking exhibited by forum members. Of course, if someone has already done this, please send a pic
 
Think it has already been done. Tim Yoder sells a hunter cutter on a square 1/4 inch bar I think which can be mounted on any bar with a flat such mounting surface for teardrop scraper. I thing also Carter Products makes one too. By the way yes it works.http://wtwtim.com/elbotool.htm About half way down the page.
 
If you're designing it I'm certain that it will be useful. As far as buying a tool like that is concerned, I think that I'm fully saturated with tools. I started counting how many turning tools I have recently and the number is over 75. So, if I don't have it, I probably don't need it.
 
John Jordan and David Ellsworth both have tools that work. Mike Hunter also has some. Not sure your design is like any of theirs. I have made a lot of curved bars to help me reach into areas. Most have 3/16 HSS cutters because they are cheap and fast and work. I have one that can easily be modified to take my Hunter #1 cutter but just haven't needed it.
Bill I have you beat in the tool collecting category at over 100 but I'm sure there are others who have more. I'm still one tool away from greatness.
 
It will take several prototypes I would think. A bare cutter can be quite aggressive. Not sure the link style holder will be able to handle the cutting forces without loosening. It will also take some work on insert cutting angles. Good luck!
 
Thanks bigtime - as I expected, there is a lot out there I don't know about.
But I'm going to press on - will send pics and testimony.
As far as me becoming a "tool maker" - no way. Way back when I was very active in one-design sailboat racing - M20 for the initiates out there. I then went to work for a dealer that specialized in specialty hardware for sailboats in general and the racing yachtsman in particular. Turning tools are nickel/dime as compared to sailboat stuff. After a few years I realized I really didn't like sailors, especially the racing set.
Got too many buds in turning to allow that to happen. :-)
 
John Tisdale said:
Turning tools are nickel/dime as compared to sailboat stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah but the quality of that hardware is awesome!
I raced a Hobie 20 for a while - tons o fun. Just sold it cuz I can't find a regular partner.
So I switched to an RS Aero last year.

I'm trying out the hook tools and have a local knife maker attempting to make a few for me.
 
the Hunter carbides don't clog like ring tools and Hook tools. They may not take as large of a shaving though.
 
Bill Boehme said:
started counting how many turning tools I have recently and the number is over 75.
Click to expand...

john lucas said:
Bill I have you beat in the tool collecting category at over 100
Click to expand...

I probably don't have more than about 50 turning tools.......but, realistically, 99% of the turning I do is with about a dozen of them. :)

If a turner chooses well, he doesn't have to have 100, or 75, or 50, or even 20! o_O

=========================================================

As for John Tisdale's question......I wouldn't buy one.....but, I think others would. This is a specialty tool mainly for turning hollow forms, and I'm personally not interested in doing hollow forms. I'm a traditionalist......simple bowls and platters. I'm not much interested in hollow forms, natural edge bowls, embellishment, and all those other incidental things other turners seem to be interested in. I find that the more finely I can tune my skills, the more satisfaction I can have doing what I do. Traditional simplicity, well done.....is my goal. The way to get here, is to refine turning tool techniques to the point where there is very little sanding......easily said.....not as easily accomplished! This is not to say I don't have appreciation for what turning aspects others derive their satisfaction from, though......I certainly do! :D

-----odie-----
 
I have the Pro-Forme Flexi Hollower and have it set with the hood over the cutting edge so that the cutting edge feels like a burr on a scraper and this thing cuts very very well with no clogging. The new Hunter Viceroy tools are another super tool that fits right into the Hunter Tool lineup. These tools will not replace my Thompson Lathe Tools but they are indispensable where I cannot use the Thompsons. I am afraid to count my tools but I'm pretty sure that the number will approach or surpass 200 (That's roughly only 25 per lathe though:D). I know there are folks that have more than that though.
 
I am falling behind in this race with under 50 but added 5 at TAW . Like Odie , not counting deep hollowing tools I use 4 or 5 tools per turning. I know that most of us have tools we only use once a year such as specialty tools for boxes and beads and embellishment (got to get rid of some of those)
 
If you have more than 12 tools, that's about 4 toooooo many!!! And if you have more, then you had better start to REALLY learn how to use them! :) I have about 20 more than I regularly use and all they do is collect dust and will soon be finding a new home for use by our Guild rookies. Just remember, the beer we used to drink 50+ years ago was better than the new suds today!
 
odie said:
I probably don't have more than about 50 turning tools.......but, realistically, 99% of the turning I do is with about a dozen of them. :)

If a turner chooses well, he doesn't have to have 100, or 75, or 50, or even 20! o_O
Click to expand...

Now, you've gone from preaching to meddling. :D

odie said:
... As for John Tisdale's question......I wouldn't buy one.....but, I think others would. This is a specialty tool mainly for turning hollow forms, and I'm personally not interested in doing hollow forms. I'm a traditionalist......simple bowls and platters. I'm not much interested in hollow forms, natural edge bowls, embellishment, and all those other incidental things other turners seem to be interested in. I find that the more finely I can tune my skills, the more satisfaction I can have doing what I do. Traditional simplicity, well done.....is my goal. The way to get here, is to refine turning tool techniques to the point where there is very little sanding......easily said.....not as easily accomplished! This is not to say I don't have appreciation for what turning aspects others derive their satisfaction from, though......I certainly do! :D

-----odie-----
Click to expand...

Deriving satisfaction from what we do is the essence of why we turn
 
Bang on what you say Bill, and over the years I have almost given every aspect of turning a go, but have come back also to where odie is today, doing bowls.
As for tools, I have purchased and made or had many made in almost all shapes, sizes and forms.
I remember at an AAW symposium years ago, either Charlotte, North Carolina or Akron, Ohio and the OneWay folks were there. It was their first exposure to the sale of their 1/2" bowl gouge. I picked one up and immediately one of them said, "You don't need one because all you need is a 3/8s". Why are you making them then were my comments and the reply was, " For the "Fellows" with all the money, just like the last fellow who just bought/ordered 3 big lathes for shipment when we get back home". Yes, I turn for satisfaction and for gifts. My gallery days are over, but still try to turn every day I'm home.
 
Bill Boehme said:
Deriving satisfaction from what we do is the essence of why we turn
Click to expand...

I'll try to remember that the next time a piece of wood is giving me a hard time! :rolleyes:

:D-----odie-----:D
 
Many wood turners go through phases of turning different items for a while and then experiment with new items to expand their skill levels. I am always looking for new items to turn on the lathe which expands the items you can produce for friends and family. My next "new" item to turn are some Ferro rods with decorative wood handles these make great gifts for the outdoors hunting and camping people.

Anyone have any "new" wood turning items that they are working on?
 
John Tisdale said:
First, an explanation:
  • I do large mesquite, walnut, and maple hollow forms - hollowing tool of choice is the 3/4" Rolle Munro. Took a while to go over the learning curve but figured out how to make it work.
  • Got several large very green koa logs - Rolle Munro clogs in a second or two no matter how sharp the cutter and how narrow or wide the setting. I use a pivot pin tool rest and can apply lots of pressure - still can't make it work. I don't think any shielded cutter will work on koa.
  • Tried the #1 hunter square shank retro tool in a straight 3/4" bar - works like a dream. No anxious moments.
  • PROBLEM: the straight bar doesn't do well on the underside of the top - need to angle the cutter and extend it slightly to the left to make those underside cuts.
  • SOLUTION: A cutter head like the standard Rolle Munro that attaches to the Rolle Munro link but with a #1 Hunter cutter without shield
I'm building a prototype now - will be done in a couple of weeks - will send pics when it's done and results are known.

SURVEY QUESTION: Do you believe this tool would be useful? Cost will be a bit more than $50 and hopefully under $100. I'm not soliciting a commitment but would appreciate the typical critical thinking exhibited by forum members. Of course, if someone has already done this, please send a pic
Click to expand...

I look forward to seeing the images. I, for one, would be happy not to have to get a machinist friend to do the work for me... I have been toying with the same idea for the same reasons - not just with Koa. Even the Rolly Munro mini without the cover is too aggressive for all but the most basic roughing.. One of the things that would help is being able to rotate the cutter and still be able to have it cut on center. That in conjunction with the ability to articulate the arm like the Munro would make a more controllable "aggression."
The big advantage to the Munro hollowers is the short length of the cutter head. It allows me to work through small openings. If the head ends up too long, the ability to articulate and use the tool with any kind of captured system would demand a larger opening in the hollowform, something I want to avoid.
 
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