Compendium of "Captured Systems" for Hollow Form Turning
This compendium of captured systems for hollow form turning and boring was prompted by a WoodCentral Wednesday Night Chat on the subject. It's amazing how inventive woodturners are.
Here's one I got to play with - the Mini O - that'll work on JET mini/midi sized lathes.. There's also a Mighty O for full sized lathes. Price tag for the former - $400, for the latter - $500. Very maneuverable and relatively compact. The laser holding arrangement is pretty solid - not jitters and twitching that's apparently a problem on some of the other "captured systems". Getting the tool rest height and the rear "capture" thing set up right takes a little bit of trial and error, but once set it's really easy to use, even when you get fairly aggressive when cutting (actually more scraping than cutting),
If you're interested in the Mini O or Mighty O, contact Rich Johnson rich@latheart.com
A Wednesday Night Chat on the WoodCentral turning forum mentioned several other "captured hollowing systems" which I then went searching for and found the following (in no particular order.
Link to more about the Basham tools and how to use it on Kestrel Creek's site
Have since been informed that this system - and one for "ful sized lathes are now available. Click here fo More Kobra Info and Pricing
Here's Stan Townsend's Elbo Tool, the earliest articulated "captured system".
This next one really intrigues me because
a) it'll fit on my JET mini/midi without sacrificing turning space
b) it's a different approach that looks like it has all the adjustability I can think of needing (oh sure - just wait)
c) looks like a pretty versatile, complete package deal - with laser - that looks pretty rock solid.(adjustability of the laser isn't clear)
d) the price is pretty good.
There's also a "full sixed lathe" version The Monster Hollowing System available. http://www.monster-wood-tool.com/
And here's one I missed - from Down Under (thanks to Adrien Coblentz for the heads up).
And thanks to Allen Neighbors for pointing me to the Spin Doctor's Hollowing Rig. Price starts at around $550 US.Download the pdf file on this thing for details
http://www.theokspindoctor.com/
Thanks to David Propst for adding the Vicmarc and ElboTool, along with the link about the Basham Hollowing Tool
Here's another UK system (thanks to John from rec.crafts.woodturning)
Poolewood prices for Reeks Deep Hollowing System
Seems Fred Holder has already looked at most of these systems - and some I need to look for to include here. His review is All Text - No Pictures, but fills in the details the above photos don't. To download a PDF version of his review CLICK HERE.
