Thread: Captive Bar Deep Hollowing Systems

Originally Posted by Waady

Several of the captive bar systems seem set up with the lathe turning in reverse (e.g. Vermec) which obviously requires that the chuck is locked with a safety ring.
Waady

I have the Vermec system and in use the lathe does not turn in reverse but in the normal direction. Instead you can cut on the opposite side of your hollowing. This is normally unsafe except on the Vermec hollowing rig which is solidly engineered to allow this. So any lathe can be used this way.

Brendan Stemp made a video of the hollowing tool which is worthwhile watching.

Peter.

Thanks Sturdee

Your advice is very helpful. I had obviously misinterpreted the setup of it.

How do you find the Vermec in use?

There are other videos on Youtube explaining the use of the Vermec deep hollower, but they are using it back to front. Enzo, from Vermec got this video made to clear up the confusion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B-68Wr9kRA

A couple of my friends have them, one demonstrates it use, when I get a few bucks aside, I shall purchase one, maybe
Cheers
Willy

Thanks Willy, that's great. As you say, it clears up how to correctly mount the setup. The Vermec looks impressive in terms of both its simplicity and being solidly made. They are also local to me here in Brisbane so that's another bonus.

Originally Posted by Waady

How do you find the Vermec in use?

Very easy, I drill a 25mm hole to the depth I want on my lathe (which is a Hafco WL18 bolted on a bench against the wall) using a special long boring augur drill bit with a 2MT direct into the tailstock. Bought the drill bit direct from Brendan Stemp at the time.

This hole is enough to start hollowing. As it can be aggressive you have to be careful you don't hollow out too much.

Because of the way my lathe is so close to the wall I always use it by cutting on the uptake direction as I have no room for cutting the normal way and I can look easily into the opening whilst cutting.

The kit is very well made, solidly engineered and even with cutting on the uptake side I can guide the bar with one hand and use the other to hold a vac suction tube to suck away shavings. Couldn't do this with any other hollowing tool.

They are expensive but well worth the money and as they are local to you why don't you go and have a look at Vermec.

Peter.

Originally Posted by Waady

Thanks Willy, that's great. As you say, it clears up how to correctly mount the setup. The Vermec looks impressive in terms of both its simplicity and being solidly made. They are also local to me here in Brisbane so that's another bonus.

I have a background in Engineering, I tend to go overkill on most things. For example, Sex, Explosives and Horsepower, no such thing as overkill.

Hence why I like Vicmarc and Vermec, both could be considered over kill on engineering, others may consider them just very well built and robust.
Sincerely
Willy

Thanks guys, I think you've convinced me re the Vermec. I'm going to the Working With Wood show here in Brissy tomorrow so hopefully there'll be a chance to check one out. If not I'll take a trip to Vermec sometime soon.

Thanks heaps for all your advice, it is greatly appreciated.

Waady

How many of you guy's here that posted using this system or are about to get one have reverse on your lathe? I'm just curious, but would like to get some answers. ..... Jerry (in Tucson)

Another vote for the Vermec system. Easy to use one handed. Able to deal with a variety of timbers, think green Camphor thru to dry Grey or Yellow box burl.

Nub, no reverse here.

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Originally Posted by Nubsnstubs

How many of you guy's here that posted using this system or are about to get one have reverse on your lathe? I'm just curious, but would like to get some answers. ..... Jerry (in Tucson)

No reverse on my lathe.

Originally Posted by Nubsnstubs

How many of you guy's here that posted using this system or are about to get one have reverse on your lathe? I'm just curious, but would like to get some answers. ..... Jerry (in Tucson)

Hello Jerry
Apologies in advance if I have gotten this incorrect, but you don't need reverse to use the Vermec. The lathe spins the same direction (unless you are in the Northern hemisphere, then it is anti clockwise ). All work is done on the upside, or the far side to you, vice the traditional downside we are all familiar with. IIRC, Japanese turners turn on the upside as well for normal turning
Sincerely
Willy

Thanks, guys. I asked because I broke my neck back in '09, and turning in forward rotation really puts a strain on my neck. Brendon mentions the neck issue in his video also. So, I have a lathe that has reverse, and it's the only way I hollow out my hollow forms. I also made up some right hand bends on swan neck tools I made for hollowing. Then, I got the bright idea to machine a flat on each side of the end that has the carbide insert.. Now what I have a a regular normal swan neck tool that can also be used for turning in reverse. I use these swan necks on an articulated setup I made. I also use a steady rest just in case my form wants to launch. With what I have and use, it's not necessary to have the bar captured.

I do like the idea of a captured system, but it's too late for me. For those people who don't have reverse, this is the ideal hollowing tool.

Willy, didn't you just get a new lathe? No reverse? And I do get the north and south rotations. Since I'm up in the north, I'm opposite of what you guys from unduh do down unduh. .. ..... Jerry (in Tucson)

[QUOTE=Willy, didn't you just get a new lathe? No reverse? And I do get the north and south rotations. Since I'm up in the north, I'm opposite of what you guys from unduh do down unduh. .. ..... Jerry (in Tucson)[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear about your back, I too, have issues with mine

Yes, the Vicmarc does have reverse, it's a Vicmarc, it has EVERYTHING
Cheers
Willy
Jarrahland

My Laguna has reverse