Japanese turning tools

[glxman]

Hi Guys,

The father in law just returned from an 8 week trip to Japan,

Being a wood turner, he noticed that they used a different method which he would like to try,

Are there any suppliers in Aust that sell Japanese wood turning tools?

He thinks the "hooked" tool style they used was a better way of turning, in fact I think it may be safer?

Regards,
Gary

[TTIT]

Don't know of anyone that sells them but there are a few websites that show how to make your own - I don't have the links handy but Google will find them easy enough.:U

[RETIRED]

Most Japanese turners make their own. They take some getting used to particularly the "floating toolpost".

http://www10.ocn.ne.jp/~ki-ki/e_pp/e_look_for_kijisi.html

[glxman]

He regrets not buying some tools while he was there, (if he was able to purchase?)

Will have a look on google,

Regards,
Gary

[Texian]

Those would also be called "hook tools" in the US, used for hollowing the inside of green, end grain turnings. The "ring tool" is similar but has a completely circular cutting end. A commercially available version is the "Termite" tool. Forgot the manufacturer but you can probably find it. Have read that some like the Termite and some complain that it clogs easily with cuttings.

Have used a hook tool (home made, gift from a friend) on small items like pencil cups (caddies?) and find that it works well. That said, my stock for such small items is usually fairly dry and the cutting goes faster with own home made boring bar with HSS tool bit. Finish/smoothing cuts on the inside with Hunter carbide cutter in home made tool.

[NeilS]

This link has info on how to make and use your own hook tool.

http://aroundthewoods.com/hookuse.shtml

The Japanese turners also use a freehand scraper (made from old saw blades) to complete their turnings. Must try that some time.

Neil

[rsser]

Andre Martel does some interesting hook tools.

He's in Canada, a turner who makes them for end-grain hollowing.

If he had better payment arrangements I would've ordered one to see how it went.

He has a vid on the Woodworking Channel. Navigate to Videos then AAW.

http://www.woodworkingchannel.com/dolphin/vidego_video_library.php

[nalmo]

There's also a demo of Japanese woodturning techniques on the same site I think ern.

[thefixer]

Gday Gary

Here's a link to a thread of my home made hook tool

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=76857&highlight=thefixer


And here is the linkt to web site that has the info on how to make them

http://www.aroundthewoods.com/hooktool.shtml

They do work extremely well on end grain.

Cheers
Shorty

[new_guy90]

oh man it seems right now that everyone is obsest with Japan! well to me it seems that way ill only admit it here i love Japan to :B

i found a site that shows a girl from japan demonstrating good shots some home made tools but none of the "hook" tools just scrapers made from hacksaw blades (the machinist wants to point out one of the lathes looks like a converted tag metal lathe just had to say that ;p ) at the end of the page theres a guy in japan making traditional tools
http://www.woodturner.org/resources/eog/japan_exch_2004/

also if any of you keep back issues of the Australian woodworker issue No. 94 december 2000 has some Japanese wood turning in it as well as

as for the home made hook tool im sorry but i think that tool is dangerous not the idea the way the tool was made ............look up the Berger's viking hollow tool looks to me like it cuts the same way ...........thats a bit off topic

will be watching this place intently

Patrick

[glxman]

Much appreciated,

Have to show this to the father in law, he is not the internet, I do all the computer stuff for him, so I have a bit of priority to where some of his creations end up,

I think he may have some contacts in Japan but not related to wood turning,

If I find any news on a supplier in Japan through his contact, you will be the first to know,

Thanks again for the time and effort on the links, (and the scary hack saws!)

Regards,
Gary

[NeilS]

as for the home made hook tool im sorry but i think that tool is dangerous not the idea the way the tool was made.....



Hi Patrick

I'm not sure which part of the making process you think could be dangerous?

Neil

[new_guy90]

oh i just had a thought ............if the Japanese turners make there own tools then i wouldn't think any company makes them and i think the western style of turning is more popular oh oh ask Stu in Tokyo about the traditional style i think he would be more than happy to help

now if you have to make your own tools then pay a visit to a blacksmith im sure if you take some pic's and drawings then they should be able to make you a good tool (no nails) i do know that here at the Ipswich Tafe they had a blacksmithing course that you made tools in as well as other stuff ..............not sure if its still going

hope this helps

Patrick

[bsrlee]

"Hook" tools are very old technology in Europe - we are talking Greeks & Romans stuff here. They found a few parts from hook tools in the Coppergate excavations in York (UK) and there is a fair amount of information on turning with hook tools on a (spring) pole lathe in the York Arch. Trust's book on wooden artifacts from the excavations - they used concrete nails to make some tools for 'experimental archaeology' turnings.

You can also have a look at Robin Wood's web site - he is a fairly well know demonstrator of green woodturning from the UK.