Home made hollowing tool

[thefixer]

I noticed the hollowing tool in the Carbatec dogalog and thought, WOW $385.00. I could never afford that. So the I said to myself "Self, your an inventive type of old fart and the worlds best scrounger, why don't you make one." So here it is, cost nothing in material and about 8 hours of my idle time.
The base, tool post and support handle were all made from aluminium that I have had hanging around for years. The support post for the sliding part was once a car jack handle (bloody hard stuff) and the square section and round stainless steel rod were salvaged from an old dot matrix printer.
The main shaft was drilled out and grub screws inserted so I can use different shaped cutting tips. Still gotta find some tungsten steel to make the cutters but I reckon a bit more scrounging will come up with
something.
The result was well worth the effort. It works a treat.

[Alex]

Awsome

[OGYT]

The support post for the sliding part was once a car jack handle.

Truly a gem-looking rig! The support post for the sliding part... is that the round vertical post with the tool shaft stickin' thru it?
I don't really understand how this rig works, so I'd sure like to see it in action.
Could you give us an overall shot of it?
Speakin' of tungsten... There's a place here in the USA that sells little circle cutters and three cornered cutters of tungsten that are inexpensive. If you want, I'll get you a URL for them.
Have you ever thought of just using HSS cutters? I think they'd be easier to get, but also have to be sharpened more often.
Thanks for posting.... interesting looking rig.

[rodent]

Try using old thickneser blades i find they work well .Just slot the back and lock it down with a cap screw .PS great looking rig.

[Gil Jones]

A very slick, and nicely made rig. You may find that you will need a much wider range of side-to-side motion, especially to the right. Also, the aluminum looking post (bar support?) is way too close to the captive rear support to keep the main bar from flexing from the torque of cutting, and seems (to me) that it will be very restrictive to cutter motion/placement, unless you intend this rig to be used for boring only. I may be missing something here, but these are my thoughts, based on the photos.
Good luck!!

[TTIT]

I noticed the hollowing tool in the Carbatec dogalog and thought, WOW $385.00. I could never afford that
The result was well worth the effort. It works a treat.

I've seen where that hollowing system is made (Vermec) and the quality is unquestionable which would justify the hefty price tag but I reckon you've done a ripper job of emulating it!! I use scrounged parts to make all my odds and ends too so I know what a buzz it is to make someone elses junk into something useful. All that matters is that it works so thats cool. Wondering though if the forward rest has enough bearing area to allow the shaft to slide easily under pressure? Looks like it might drag a bit there
So when do we see some of the hollow forms then??????

[Tiger]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Just one word, brilliant!
</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[hughie]

The result was well worth the effort. It works a treat.

[/quote]

Shorty,

Looks well manufactured and I believe you, when you say it cuts well. The right angle support handle looks very sturdy.

The tool rest design will allow you to do very successful plunge cutting, with a high degree of accuracy.

Tungsten tips; have you got any contacts in the engineering machining game. Cos they throw away dozens every month. They are there for the pick up free. Just silver solder em on and away you go.

[thefixer]

Truly a gem-looking rig! The support post for the sliding part... is that the round vertical post with the tool shaft stickin' thru it?
I don't really understand how this rig works, so I'd sure like to see it in action.
Could you give us an overall shot of it?
Speakin' of tungsten... There's a place here in the USA that sells little circle cutters and three cornered cutters of tungsten that are inexpensive. If you want, I'll get you a URL for them.
Have you ever thought of just using HSS cutters? I think they'd be easier to get, but also have to be sharpened more often.
Thanks for posting.... interesting looking rig.

Thanks OGYT

As soon as I finalise the cutting tips I will post some WIP pics.

[thefixer]

I've seen where that hollowing system is made (Vermec) and the quality is unquestionable which would justify the hefty price tag but I reckon you've done a ripper job of emulating it!! I use scrounged parts to make all my odds and ends too so I know what a buzz it is to make someone elses junk into something useful. All that matters is that it works so thats cool. Wondering though if the forward rest has enough bearing area to allow the shaft to slide easily under pressure? Looks like it might drag a bit there
So when do we see some of the hollow forms then??????

G'day TTIT

That tool slide is made from a wheel brace. Hardest metal I have ever worked with. Buggered up 3 drill bits just to get a 12 mm hole through it and then filed. It slides like maggot down a greasy pork chop.

Cheers
Shorty

[thefixer]

Try using old thickneser blades i find they work well .Just slot the back and lock it down with a cap screw .PS great looking rig.

G'day Rodent

I don't even have any new thicknesser blades let alone old ones. Have to work on that one as soon as $$$$$ permit.

Cheers
Shorty

[thefixer]

I noticed the hollowing tool in the Carbatec dogalog and thought, WOW $385.00. I could never afford that. So the I said to myself "Self, your an inventive type of old fart and the worlds best scrounger, why don't you make one." So here it is, cost nothing in material and about 8 hours of my idle time.
The base, tool post and support handle were all made from aluminium that I have had hanging around for years. The support post for the sliding part was once a car jack handle (bloody hard stuff) and the square section and round stainless steel rod were salvaged from an old dot matrix printer.
The main shaft was drilled out and grub screws inserted so I can use different shaped cutting tips. Still gotta find some tungsten steel to make the cutters but I reckon a bit more scrounging will come up with
something.
The result was well worth the effort. It works a treat.

Hmmmmmmm
All that time and effort and not one word of criticism from Skew or Cliff
They must be getting old or are on holidays.
BTW Skew thanks for thumbs up on the burl bowl. It means a lot to a novice like me.

Disappointed
Shorty

[TTIT]

It slides like maggot down a greasy pork chop.

Glad to hear it - - - - - - - - I think!