Hope carbide tools

[Rhossydd]

Anyone here own or has used any of the Simon Hope carbide tipped tools ? (http://www.hopewoodturning.co.uk/carbide_tools_23.html)
If so what do you think of them ?

I'm looking at the 8mm tool for working on hollow forms, is it a good choice for a relative novice at this style of work ? Any issues to be aware of ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bodrighy]

I use one of these tools though not the Simon Hope one, and it's fine for most hollowing work up to about 5" or 6£. Basically it is a modern ring tool but not so aggressive. It'll take a bit of practice to get going but is much easier than the conventional hollowing tools to get started. Don't try sharpening on the grinder mind, give it a couple of wipes with a diamond every now and then.

Pete

 

[Richard863]

I use 3 of the cutters that Simon sells he always brings them to our turners club in Bedford. I find them very efficient more at finishing than removing vast chunks so I tend to bore a leaden hole first. Not so aggressive as the Roli variants.

 

[Rhossydd]

I use 3 of the cutters that Simon sells

Would you recommend any particular size to start with ?
Looking at his web site, the 8mm straight seems to be recommended as a first option, but then the 6mm looks to be more versatile, but harder to learn.

Not so aggressive as the Roli variants.

Especially with respect to pricing ;-)

I've also just found John Teagle's offerings http://www.ukwoodcraftandcarbidechisels.co.uk/ (mainly sold via eBay it seems, eg 281302451479) a lot cheaper, but maybe a little less refined ?

 

[tekno.mage]

Our club has one of these in it's tool library - I tried it and found it worked ok and was easy to use, but as most of my own end grain hollowing is small boxes where I'm only hollowing down about 3 - 4 inches, a simple spindle gouge is much faster!
For deeper hollowing, again, the tool works and is easy to use, but I found the Rolly Munro hollowing tool cut much faster and gave a better finish. Having said that, the Rolly Munro tool is also way more expensive and can be tricky/fiddly to set up and adjust.

 

[Grahamshed]

Sorry to frag up old posts but did you get one of these Rhossidd ?
I am also debating between the 8mm and 6mm

 

[Rhossydd]

Yes, I did buy an 8mm one.
I haven't used it much yet, the first finished piece I used it on was shown earlier first-natural-edge-bowl-t79865.html

It's rather a curious tool to handle. When you're used to big wooden handles on your turning tools the softex covered metal bar is very different in feel. I may well make a bigger replacement wooden handle for it some time.

The video on Simon's site pretty much tells you what you need to know. It's capable of removing quite a lot of timber, but also doing very fine light cuts too. The square section bar makes presentation of the cutter at the right angle pretty simple. I just need more practice to get an idea of which way to approach the task at hand.

My main challenge in learning to use it is really not down to the tool itself, but more to do with working 'blind' in hollowed forms. There's a lack of feel when making some cuts due to the tiny bevel area that doesn't help understanding what's going on.

It will be interesting to see how the edge holds up in use. It's rather odd to use a woodturning tool that doesn't need to be sharpened very regularly.

Also worth noting that you need to look after the cutting disc carefully. I assume that the brittle TCT could chip and trash the cutter rather too easily if it takes a hard knock.

 

[Grahamshed]

That is reassuring, thanks.
What made you go for the 8mm rather than the 6mm ? The longer bar is kind of swaying me in that direction.

 

[Rhossydd]

I was concerned that the 6mm might be a bit too small and inclined not to give such a smooth finish, plus the 8mm is cheaper too.

I think Simon will be at the show on Saturday, so you will probably be able to handle both and ask advice on which to opt for. There might even be a show offer or at least avoid P&P.

 

[Grahamshed]

Aye.
Just wanting some independent opinion

 

[jpt]

Simon is going to be at Daventry so you can have a good look at them there.

john

 

[Grahamshed]

Simon is going to be at Daventry so you can have a good look at them there.

john

Just so. I have already made sure he is taking all the stuff I am interested in

 

[jpt]

See you there, let me know if you want some help.

john

 

[Grahamshed]

I look forward to seeing you again