hook tools

**hughie** · 25th March 2011, 09:23 AM

With all this down time on my hands I have been busy making some hook tools. I actually don't own any nor have had much to do with them to date.
Theres a fair bit of info on line how to make them and some of it seems to be the hard way to go about. They surprisingly easy to make, I used carbon steel as its readily available in many places. HSS requires a lot more expertise and gear for the average DIY guy, plus it costs a great deal more.

The tools required are very simple and should be available to most of us in our workshops already. A bucket of water, a hammers, pliers, a vice to hold and wack it on

, Heating I used Mapp gas. If you have a linisher all the better for the finishing and a dremel type tool for the final sharpen.

I choose to forge the steel into a flat bar, this saves on a lot filing/grinding etc later and leaves a lot more steel and makes for a more solid tool.

Bar stock sizes range from around 5mm for the nail to 8mm for the biggest and the biggest dia is around 20mm.

**wheelinround** · 25th March 2011, 10:06 AM

I like

gonna be hard to hang onto though Hughie no handles and short or are these for getting your hands right at the coal face and free hand turning without tool rests

**Paul39** · 25th March 2011, 11:55 AM

I will be most curious about how well they work for you.

My one excursion with a hook tool resulted in the hook broken off and bowl flung out of the lathe and across the shed.

**cookie48** · 25th March 2011, 11:59 AM

When you use them let us know the results please.

**NeilS** · 25th March 2011, 12:11 PM

Have also made a few from concrete nails. My tempering is a bit hit and miss, so usually have to make a batch of them so I have spares for when they break...

As well as an inside bevel I've also experimented with outside bevels (to rub).

Use my Sorby hollower to hold them.

Once you get the feel for them they work quite well, particularly on green endgrain. The Munro and Woodcut hollowers are just more refined versions with depth-of-cut hoods.

PS - but, no way I'm going to show mine here so they can be compared to your beautiful examples, Hughie!
.

**hughie** · 25th March 2011, 01:02 PM

I am off to Rays { Wheelinround} to try out his Nova next week and will put them through their paces.
Neil I agree with your observations Munro etc, I will be taking along a modified type Munro set up to try as well, plus some other stuff I have been playing around with. Should be a full morning.

**TTIT** · 25th March 2011, 07:33 PM

They look that good it would be a damn shame if they don't work

**Ed Reiss** · 27th March 2011, 11:36 AM

Hook tools attract hookers

**Pat** · 27th March 2011, 02:14 PM

Huey, I would be careful with the hook tools, they may walk. Keep a sharp eye on that young rascal Ray . . .

**wheelinround** · 27th March 2011, 07:17 PM

who me

**Alastair** · 28th March 2011, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

Have also made a few from concrete nails. My tempering is a bit hit and miss, so usually have to make a batch of them so I have spares for when they break...

As well as an inside bevel I've also experimented with outside bevels (to rub).

Use my Sorby hollower to hold them.

Once you get the feel for them they work quite well, particularly on green endgrain. The Munro and Woodcut hollowers are just more refined versions with depth-of-cut hoods.

PS - but, no way I'm going to show mine here so they can be compared to your beautiful examples, Hughie!
.

I've had some success using spade bits for hook tools. Either cut off the "spade" and forge the shaft, or grind it down, and utilise. (or both, gets you 2 out of 1 drill bit).

Unfortunately no pics.

regards

**NeilS** · 28th March 2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Alastair

I've had some success using spade bits for hook tools.

Alastair - Interesting!

I would have thought that spade bits were made of HSS. If so, have you managed to forge and temper successfully without all the fancy equipment and processes that are normally used with HSS?
.

**Alastair** · 28th March 2011, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by NeilS

Alastair - Interesting!

I would have thought that spade bits were made of HSS. If so, have you managed to forge and temper successfully without all the fancy equipment and processes that are normally used with HSS?
.

Good point.

I must say I assumed HC steel, and treated as such wrt heat treatment etc.

Maybe ignorance is bliss?

I'll do a grind test and get back to you.

regards

**Sawdust Maker** · 28th March 2011, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by hughie

I am off to Rays { Wheelinround} to try out his Nova next week and will put them through their paces.
Neil I agree with your observations Munro etc, I will be taking along a modified type Munro set up to try as well, plus some other stuff I have been playing around with. Should be a full morning.

What day - I might invite meself

What's your address Wheelie?

**wheelinround** · 28th March 2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

What day - I might invite meself

What's your address Wheelie?

Signs of old age Nick if ya serious I'll pm it again

Thats if you can travel this far and of course get hermission

Thread: hook tools

Thread Tools

Search Thread

hook tools

Similar Threads

Cant hook

Sky Hook

Cant hook

Off the hook

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions