Very interesting tool Sam. I've thought about making something similar before. Thank you for the nice demonstration. Everything I've bought from Robust so far I've been very pleased with.
Hi Sam. First let me say that I appreciate you and your videos which I find interesting and informative. I think this is a legitimate tool in the same way that a CNC machine in a modern cabinet shop is a legitimate tool. I worked in cabinet shops for many years and of course was exposed to many modern practices in addition to traditional hand tools. However, I do find it sad that woodturning as with so many other crafts is moving farther and farther away from skilled handwork. I’m no Luddite but there is much to be said for learning and practicing traditional skills. I’m sure this tool has it’s place in certain circumstances as do laser-guided hollowing tools, etc. That being said, in my experience their introduction usually becomes an excuse to avoid learning the craftsmanship needed to produce work by hand and instead opt for the easy way out. That’s not a way to perpetuate traditional skills and carry on the legacy of a trade and craft. It merely makes money for those who endlessly design new toys for the consumer to gorge on and to allow the consumer to think they’ve actually achieved some level of skill when all they have become is a machine operator. Again, many of these things have a niche under certain circumstances but there is much more to woodturning or any other craft than the end product. For example, the skills, tradition, challenge and satisfaction from learning and practicing an ancient craft and the passing on of that knowledge and skill to future generations. It’s too easy to forget that and focus only on the end product. If that’s all that matters we ought just to invest in CNC machines and learn how to create a program so a robot can do the work for us. This afternoon I turned an ash bowl and as usual I had to stop and check repeatedly to insure the walls were smooth and even and the thickness I wanted. I suppose some kind of jig or special tool would have done all that for me but then I could also have avoided the trouble altogether by ordering a wooden bowl from Amazon. Instead, I derived a great deal of satisfaction and pleasure by applying and adding to my skills and an even greater satisfaction and pride when I successfully produced the finished bowl. I’m sure you weren’t suggesting we give up learning and practicing traditional skills. It’s just that seeing yet another ‘miracle’ tool did raise concerns I often have over these kinds of things and I wanted to express my thoughts. Thank you for the review; it’s always good to keep informed.
Good video Sam. The Tru Arc tool appears to be a pretty good piece of equipment. It's only drawback that I can see is that it is limited to perfect arcs. No way to do elliptical shapes. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Nice review, Sam. I'm glad you are still showcasing your work and the products you truly believe in. You didn't mention it, but Robust is advertising a 10% discount plus free shipping on lathe tools/cutters for July 2024. I'm going to send you an email with a couple of other questions about other items in this video.
Is it easy to get the scraper right back where it was before you sharpened it? It seems you have to have some procedure to do that. If not the radius of curvature will change.
That’s an interesting, but yet very logical. It’s one of those ideas where you think, “why didn’t I think of that?” Or “why is this just a thing now?” Thank you for sharing!
Great WET tissue paper idea!! A bit of "expansion" and a bit of "glue-ing" - cool!! I would envision this as a "salt pig" - what other use might you use this for ?!?! (ah - a 10 year old video - I don't expect an answer !!)
Sam, I think Ron Brown suggests that the tip of the parting blade is 1/4" above center. I think the line on the side of the blade is 1/4" from the top edge and this line is used to align with the center point. I may have misunderstood him. Should the tip be exactly at the center point? John von
Oh man, you are 1000% correct. After I said that I thought about going back and fixing it but I didn’t. And I’ve heard Richard Raffan say it hundred times Canberra my apologies. Cheers to all the folks down under. Sam.
I found your canteen video. I will finish what I have started - may or may not turn out. I need to get a chunkier piece of wood and will try your method. It makes more sense to me. Thank you again for sharing
Machinist here. If anyone is looking for the drill, it's just called a center drill, super common and pretty cheap. I like the idea with the brass rod, might have to give this a go.
I have been trying to turn a canteen, but the foot and mouth piece get it my way, so I decided I would rather use the band saw to cut out the circle. That was how I left it this evening. I was delighted to find your video as it makes more sense to make the canteen using your method for the bud vase. I will add a mouth piece and foot when I finish turning the body. Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers
This particular tube I had for some years. I used to put finished pens inside when I would mail them off. If you do a search on test tubes, you might have better luck finding one. Sam
Frank That is exactly the question. It is very difficult to truly be a professional Woodturner. We have to make money in several different areas. Many Woodturners have signature tools they sell, they demonstrate they write magazine articles, and some are even RU-vidrs. I believe there is a small percentage of turners who do OK. I have never been a production Turner and never wanted to be. That is another avenue that can be lucrative. I sell my stuff on Etsy and do fairly well. Put on RU-vid the competition is enormous. I am not just competing against other Woodturners but everyone who makes a video. Those who watch Wood Turning videos is a small percentage of viewers on RU-vid anyway you can see it’s very complicated. Thanks, Sam
