Shafted by another Forum Member

[NeilS]

And, would you believe, this is not the first time this has happened to me on this Forum!

First time it was Frank&Earnest.... as a result of our discussions on carbide tip tools.

This time it was Hughie, and started by Ern.

It began with Ern selling me his Munro hollowing head. The $370 price tag for the full Munro hollower kit was a bit steep for my pocket and Ern very kindly offered to sell me the articulated head off his for a fraction of the cost of the full shooting match. All I had to do was find or make make a replacement shaft.

None of my current shafts worked. Also, tried to buy a replacement shaft form Rolly Munro (via Soren Berger), but no joy there.

I manage to do a bit of woodturning, in my own fashion, but when it comes to metal work I'm a real dummy. So I started to think of who I know that makes turning tool shafts, lots of them. Yep, Hughie.

So I shoot an email off to him to see if he can help. No probs, I'll do it straight away Hughie replies, just give us the dimensions. Calipers go into action and a little investigation on the Web reveals that the big Munro hollower is now being offered with a more substantial shaft as an option. I like that idea. A few more emails and we settle on a 20mm diam x 17" stainless steel shaft with tapered end to marry with 16mm Munro head. Sounds perfect.

Then down to the hard business of settling on a price. Wood blanks, not dollars, seems to be the currency of choice. So a few more emails and that's done.

Shaft arrives. Beautiful piece of work that is up to Hughie's usual high standard.

Pic 1: Ern's Munro head... looks like new to me
Pic 2: Hughie's shaft.... beautiful work, should I frame or use it?
Pic 3: Shaft taper....swish
Pic 4: Handle.... why so long?... balance!
Pic 5: Balance...just about right
Pic 6: All together

No wonder I feel well a truly shafted......

Thanks, Ern & Hughie

.....

[Mr Brush]

Great post

Of course, the title will make sure it gets the attention it deserves.....

A big to Ern and Hughie too !!

[Cliff Rogers]

I've been shafted by hughie too.... a couple of times.

[Mr Brush]

Do we have a 'serial shafter' on our hands???

Victim 1: "I were just standing there, next to me lathe, next thing I knew I'd been shafted...."

[BobR]

Got me in!

[Ed Reiss]

Well, Neil...if ya' gotta' get the shaft you couldn't have picked a better way

[rsser]

LOL.

W/turning proctology?

That's creative prob solving Neil; nice work. And thumbs up to Hughie as well.

I'm delighted to have been able to help.

No, the head got little use. Shortly after acquiring it I fell in love with the Proforme (maxi).

One tip that I did pick up from forumites was to put a paper 'washer' under the cap when still new to increase the gap. OTOH I did a deal of cutter sharpening which wld had have a similar effect.

I still use the Munro handle and shaft but with the Munro scraper head which I find effective and comfortable (paw permitting). Far better than the Woodcut Proforme scraper.

[artme]

Great post!! Provided me with a laugh. Good on Ern and Hughie.

[Sawdust Maker]

great post nice work everybody

I've also been shafted by Hughie! along with rested
For revenge I got him well and truly motored

[NeilS]

And here is the result of the previous shafting from Frank. As you can see, twice! Just haven't managed to handle the second one....

That tool does some real serious damage to green bowl blanks!

Thanks for the help with that, Frank.

An to Cliff for the tip, literally.

.....

[NeilS]

W/turning proctology?

...and, not a rubber glove in sight.....

.....

[hughie]

damn fine looking handle and it all goes together very well.

I should add the reciprocating gift was a large box of blanks, very well prepared, dried and rough turned.

A win-win all round.

[TTIT]

Got me too! Crikey Neil that's a whole lotta handle. Good collaboration by all

[Sawdust Maker]

Nice handle there Neil
how long is the whole tool?

[Jim Carroll]

Neil nice resolution to your prblems.

Couple of critisisms.

The reason rolly uses a hollow handle is when you do not need so much overhang from the tool you can push the bar into the handle and work more comfortably.

The shape of the handle will be awkward when moving your hands along as you have a wide variety of diameters which will restrict movement and with the tool tucked into your sides may rub the ribs a bit.

A smooth straight handle is more user freindly and with the rubber grip allows you to hang on easier.

Cant remember seeing the short link for the munro there but use that as much as possible and only use the long articulation when doing deep undercuts, just gives more tool control and less tendancy for the tool to try and rotate out of your hand.

Just had another look and you have the short link so do away with the long one till really needed.

Practice on vase type shapes to get the feel of how the tool works.