Aticulated arm hollowing rigs?

[John Jr]

Hello to everyone Newbie to the forum here...Im hoping to get some feed back on the Monster Lathe Tools articulated arm hollowing system (or something similar). Im finally in the position to buy a rig and am having a terrible time deciding on one...its allot of cash for me to let go of!! Ive chose this rig mainly cause of the square cutters it uses, i was a machinist for several years so this style of bit is familiar to me, cheap to replace, and easy to sharpen compared to the carbide bits that alot of the other boring bars use. I would love to hear from anyone with experience using a rig like this. also if anyone has a good reason why the articulated systme is better than a captive hollowing system or visa versa i would be all ears...ive only based my decession on a articulated rig as it appears it would be more controllable and less tiring than the captive system for long turning sessions. To all you old pros here feel free to steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any insight...Awesome forum by the way!!!

Added by : Link to it. http://monster-lathe-tools.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=262&category_id=63

[rsser]

You might get more info on this unit with a post on the AAW forum, since I doubt many aussies would've imported one of these.

But in design it's much the same as the Vicmarc (http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=546) hollowing tool support, the Elbo and others. The only friction comes from the tool rest.

One thing worth preferring in my view is a system that will allow you to mount different cutting tips or shafts; the Vicmarc will take 3 diff shaft diameters and you can use your favorite modular hollowing tool.

I haven't used a captive system and they appear to come in more and less elegant versions. In general they seem a lot of engineering compared to an articulated arm but there's one made here in Aus that looks simple and will be well made: click (http://www.vermec.com/id1.html)

[NeilS]

Welcome to the forum young John.

TTIT on this forum has made his own articulated system. Find any post by him and link to his website in his sig line. With your machinist background you might build your own rig for a lot less than the Monster.

Another thread by Stu in Tokyo on making a captured rig (not articulated) here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/dungeon-hf-captured-rig-48477/).

There hasn't been much discussion about the Monster system here on this forum.

Something here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/hollowing-systems-63857/)

Articulated hollowing systems are not the big thing here that they are States side. (I assume Okc, Ok in your header refers to Oklahoma City).

As rssr suggests, you will find a lot more discussion on the Monster system on US forums, including Sawmill Creek.
.

[kcam]

Welcome to the forum John, you might like to check out Brian McEvoy's web site One Good Turn (http://www.onegoodturn.ca/) as he has his deep hollowing system available at what appears to be a reasonable price in Canadian $. Four of us got together sharing the cost and one made the system up to Brian's design....works extremely well (I have only managed to use it once though). For those forum members that were at the 2009 Turnfest would remember Brian's demos.
Cheers Kerry :)

[rsser]

Good memory you have Neil, or good search skills :2tsup:

It's either Cliff or hughie who uses the Vermec, just to add.

I did get a quarter of the way into deep hollowing a vase out of Cypress but knots and other problems took the fun out of it.

That was using a Proforme head.

The feeling compared with hand-held was frankly weird, lacking that balance of downward and sideways forces. That's just a matter of practice though.

I also had no end of trouble sourcing a cheap laser pointer that would work but now Vicmarc sell one to suit for about $35.

One downside of the Vicmarc support (then) was that a 3/4" shaft would only go in about 2". Bless 'em, I sent it back and they reamed it out to go in deeper for the cost of postage.

[hughie]

Hi John, welcome aboard :2tsup:

Articulated rigs as stated not allot around this neck of the woods. As you say a bit expensive :o $460+

How about this one The Trans-Former Hollowing Tool System | JT Turning Tools, LLC (http://jtturningtools.com/trans-former) not quite a articulated but a lot kinder on the hip pocket

Theres one out there called a Kobra but its about the same price as the Monster.
My preference is for a Kobra type as it will provide more movement with a much free-er action.

Due shipping cost etc I will be making my own version of a Kobra. If your able making your own articulated hollower would be the way to go.
Wood Turning Articulated Hollowing Tool: making your own (http://aroundthewoods.com/articulated.shtml) This link shows how to go about making one


hers a few more for good measure

Vicmarc - Woodturning Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories - Hollowing Tool Support System (http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=546)
Elbo Hollowing Tool - A Lathe based hollowing tool (http://www.elbotool.com/)

[NeilS]

I also had no end of trouble sourcing a cheap laser pointer that would work but now Vicmarc sell one to suit for about $35.



A green laser pointer is on my to-do-list. Had a look for the Vicmarc laser pointer, but couldn't find it on their website. Ern, do you have a page reference?
.

[rsser]

Hi Neil, recent email response as follows:

Hi Ern,

Thank for inquiry, we do have a laser pointer. The code is V00720 the cost is $ 36.66 + GST & Postage.

Many Thanks, Kim McGregor
Administration / Accounts
Vicmarc Machinery

[NeilS]

Thanks, Ern.
.

[turnerted]

rsser
Does the vicmac laser have a separate battery pack and an on/off switch? I have been using one with the batteries in the laser head. I find the batteries it uses are expensive and don't last long.also preasure has to be kept on the switch constantly to keep it operating . A real PTA .
Ted

[rsser]

Ted, sorry I can't say. Don't have one.

All I can say is that to fit the rig the OD of the laser unit will have to be around 1/2" or 13mm.

And obviously the unit will have to have a toggle switch. Presumably the VM unit does.

[TTIT]

rsser
Does the vicmac laser have a separate battery pack and an on/off switch? I have been using one with the batteries in the laser head. I find the batteries it uses are expensive and don't last long.also preasure has to be kept on the switch constantly to keep it operating . A real PTA .
TedThe laser I bought has the batteries inside it and I've only had to replace them once - only gets used for the final cuts on forms when I'm hollowing.
The switch on mine can be held down just by moving the pocket clip on to it - maybe you can do something similar to yours?!?! :shrug:

[joe greiner]

Hose clamp, with a thin shoe if necessary. Works on an electric chain saw too - an aerial contraption I built several years ago with dead-man switch at the lower end.

Cheers,
Joe

[hughie]

YouTube - Kobra Deep Hollowing System Part 1

[patrick m stein]

hi john,
I have both monster systems captured and articulated,gotta say it was money well spent.over on another forum i just posted a maple pot i just finished using the system it is 14by13.






patrick

[Ed Reiss]

The Elbo hollowing system is pretty good, but max depth (for me) came to about 9 inches. So it really is a good mid depth deal.

It definitely took a lot of pressure off my arthritic hands...a plus.

$$ paid was a bit high, but the unit worked, so no gripes there

Welcome to the forums John Jr :2tsup: