Home Made Hook tool

[Jack Mincey]

Here is a picture of my first home made hook tool. It is made from 1/2" steel rod with 3/16" cutter. I was able to bend the rod using an acetylene torch to heat it up. I put the set screw in the bottom to prevent it from being filled with wood.
Jack
http://usera.imagecave.com/flyrod444/100_0817-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/flyrod444/100_0818-copy.jpg

[curtis rosche]

doesnt heating it up like that make it weaker? wont that make it bend at that point when you have really hard wood or a catch?

[Jack Mincey]

It is cold rolled steel so heating it should not effect it in any way if you let it it cool down slow. It might become brittle if you cool it down quick, like putting it in water. Heating this steel is no different than welding it together as far as the heat goes.
Jack

[curtis rosche]

i was just wondering.. looks like it should work real well

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great looking tool Jack. Looks like it will do the job. Normally on that type of steel I heat it cherry red and cool it with oil. Then I heat to a straw color and cool it in oil. That way it isn't so brittle.

[Richard Madison]

Jack,
That's a dandy hollowing tool you have made, but not actually a "hook tool". But there is no way to know that without seeing a picture. Somebody please post a picture of hook tool, as I do not have one available

[Allen Neighbors]

Jack, that is indeed a nice hollowing tool. Richard's right, tho', the one you made is called a "swan neck" tool.
You can see a "hook" tool at http://www.aroundthewoods.com and click on "make your own tools" then on "hook tool".
Nice looking tool. It'll surprise you how well it works in a hollow form.
Just a hint: When hollowing, have the cutting edge at a slight downward angle, and just slightly above centerline. It'll help you stay away from those killer catches. :)

[Gordon Seto]

Here is the instruction from Alan Lacer for making a hook tool, which is actually a gouge turned 90° to the shaft.
http://www.alanlacer.com/handouts/ho-hooktool.html

BTW, that is nice looking hollowing tool.

[Christopher Zona]

Jack,

Is the hole for the tool tip a drilled hole or a square hole, i.e forged in or broached?

What did you use to shape the round bar around? How long is the shaft?

[Jack Mincey]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I hope to try it out in a few days. The hole the bit is in was drilled in after the bend was made. As far as calling it a hook tool, I'm just going by what it is called by John Jordan. Here is a link to what he calls his tools.
http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=packard&Product_Code=102721&Category_Code=tools-jord
Jack

[Gordon Seto]

You are right.

John Jordan calls them "Hook Tools" as well.

http://www.johnjordanwoodturning.com/tools.htm

This is a scraping tool, then what does the other kind of bevel rubbing "hook tool" should be call?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Nice work Jack! Looks like it should work very well! Be sure to post your results!

[Richard Madison]

Maybe Alan Lacer and John Jordan could decide amongst themselves what to call the tools, and let us know? Justathought.