Another articulated hollowing system

[Bob Espy]

Here is my version of a snake style hollowing system. The laser system is from my McNaughton coring tool.
snake.3.jpg

[Jerry Marcantel]

Bob, thanks for posting your snake.... Is there another piece that isn't seen in the photo??? Can you post another pic of the system stretched out? I wished that these threads would have come up before I started making mine. I would have definately made another style of tool, but for now, I'm sticking with what I have.... Jerry (in Tucson)

[Scott Hubl]

Looks Great.

Congrats.

[Bob Espy]

Scott: Here's a shot fully extended. The first photo was hiding the final section holding the round cutting bar and bit. The tool fits into the tailstock by threading onto a #2 MT "Ruth Niles" bottle stopper adapter and secured by threading a threaded rod through the tail stock. The round cutting bar is a 3/4" rod turned down to 1/2" to fit into the final arm section. I use a 3/16th inch tool bit from Enco clamped into a Sorby swivel tip holder.

IMG_0227.jpg

[Scott Hackler]

Pretty neat. I wonder though, do you have any problems with the tool assembly rotating after a bad catch? Without a post attached to the ways and only stabbed into the tail stock I would think that it might rotate. Very beefy!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Looks beefy and well built. I have to agree with Scott on the tailstock issue and twisting with a catch.

[Richard Madden]

I would think with a draw bolt through the tailstock, twisting would not be an issue. I know some others here have this system, maybe they can chime in.

[David Warkentin]

Are there bearings between those sections? Or are they just bolted together?

[Bob Espy]

The bearings I used were graphite impregnated bronze sleeve bearings with a flange. The bar stock is 1 1/2" so I used 3/4" length and installed a sleeve bearing top and bottom of each section. Got them through McMaster Carr online, P/N 9440T18 for $1.67 each.



Regarding twisting with a big catch, I secure the tool with a threaded shaft through the tail stock, tighten down with a wing nut, and then turn the tail stock wheel slightly to REALLY tighten it down. However a BIG catch will result in twisting, so just don't get a big catch!

[Jim Kountz]

I really wound like to build one of these someday. Nice job with this one looks like it should get the job done just fine! !
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