Lathe tool handle ---Question

[Gary Max]

I did it today-----broke a lathe tool handle.
My question is are they supposed to be hollow inside.
This set is made by Record--paid a couple hundred for them years ago.
Only about 2 1/2 inches of the steel is in the wood.
The hole looks like it goes way into the handle.
The reason I ask is because I am just going to turn a new handle out of a nice Cherry 3x3.
Just wander if there is a reason for the ---Hollow:confused:
Thanks

[Tom Hintz]

I've turned a bunch of handles and drill the hole about 1" longer than the tang on the chisel. I've never had a problem even though I have had some professional-level catches to stress test them.

[Pat Salter]

Weight would/should be the only factor. you wouldn't want the handle so heavy it's difficult to work with.

[Wolf Kiessling]

Weight would/should be the only factor. you wouldn't want the handle so heavy it's difficult to work with.


I could be wrong about this, Pat, but it seems to me that heavier is better. I have a Jerry Glaser scraper that I use a lot, including for roughing, that has a metal handle and is filled with shot. The weight really helps minimize the vibration......

[Richard Wolf]

They may turn the handles on a mandrel for speed and the hole is to mount it.

Richard

[Gary Max]

Well it did not go well at all----the darn shaft must be metric---because I sure aint got a bit that will work. I managed to break/crack two real nice looking handles today.
I used one of the new cracked handles anyway. It is now going to be my Penturning tool. It's time to buy a new bowl gouge anyway this one was getting a little short anyway. Anyone seen a Ellsworth-sp?- gouge on sale anywhere?

[Tom Hintz]

Gary,
Did you have snug-fitting ferrules in place before seating the chisel tang?
If not, see the link below for how I have been making my ferrules. It's easy and they work fine. (Remember those stress-test catches I did just for all of you....)

http://www.newwoodworker.com/frlmndrl.html

[Gary Max]

Oh yah---I used the old one---even used a dermel tool to grind off the little punch tab they used to set it with. The second one I made I soaked the end of the wood inside and out with thin CA.