Exocet and Woodcut Hollowing Tools

[Tangoman]

G'Day Folks,

I need to pick your collective brains and experience 'cos I am about spit the dummy clean out of the workshop !

But first a bit of history - have been turning for many years (20+) but had an eight year break and am getting back into all things woodie ! I bought an exocet hollowing tool in the late nineties or very early 2000's as well as a woodcut swan necked tool, both having guarded cutters. I never really got to grips with either of them and due to changing circumstances largely stopped turning.

Now I am back into trying hollow forms - I cant get either to cut consistently !! The last piece I made the exocet cut well but the woodcut wouldnt cut wood at all. The piece I am playing with now I cant get either to cut !?! I have tried varying the toolrest height, moving the guard around, honed both, tried lowering the handle, raising the handle etc etc !!

what do I need to try next, is it a near magical combination of tool rest height, handle height and standing on one leg while singing "Auld Lang Syne" ? Any and all pointers, ideas, advice welcomed !

P.S. the timber I am using is still quite wet and quite hard but am unsure as to the species. :~

[NeilS]

Tangoman - do you have the Shepid Loop (http://www.cws.au.com/shop/item/woodcut-shepid-loop-cutter) cutter design on your Woodcut? If so, there is a recent thread here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/woodcut-hollowing-tool-179826/) that you can have a look at while you are waiting for someone to come along and give you some good advice.

[Tangoman]

Thanks for that ! Yes it is the old loop style cutter.

I've just had another play in the garage and I increased the amount of cutter showing quite abit, too much to start off with and this has made a huge difference !!

I think I was being too gentle - its my caring and nurturing nature ! LOL !!:U

Cam

[Uncle Al]

Have a chat with the guys and gals at GoldCoast Woodturners at Mudgereeba. gcwoodturners.com.au

I'm sure there would be someone who has used this gear, or certainly be able to give you some hands-on advice.

(Hopefully my geography is reasonably accurate.)

I have no affiliation with the club, but have visited them when attending Turnfest a couple of years ago, and was very impressed with their workshop and member participation.

Good luck in taming your tools,

Alan...

[Tangoman]

Alan,

Thanks, thats a great idea ! Your geography is spot on.

Cam

[Oldgreybeard]

Tangoman - do you have the Shepid Loop (http://www.cws.au.com/shop/item/woodcut-shepid-loop-cutter) cutter design on your Woodcut? If so, there is a recent thread here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/woodcut-hollowing-tool-179826/) that you can have a look at while you are waiting for someone to come along and give you some good advice.

Tangoman,
Since my lesson with , I have made some improvement. If you are still having troubles let me know and I will put together some photos / sketches which may help.
Bob

[Tangoman]

Bob,

Many thanks for your reply but I have managed to get it sorted. In essence I was being too careful and I needed to adjust the gap on the cutter to make it larger, once It was cutting OK I figured the rest out !

Regards,
Cam

[hughie]

I take it your swan neck is a proforme tool. They are not the easiest to master, it sounds like you may have closed it down too much try opening up the guard some again. This time roll it over to wards the cutting edge until you can feel it just starting to cut and play around with this control until you get a feel for it.