Das MiniMonster (captured hollowing system)
Here's the MiniMonster captured hollowing system I purchased in April of 2008, for $330 plus $30 for shipping. As you can see, relative to some of the other captured hollowing systems, it's relatively compact, and as you will see, comes with a pretty good set of diffrent cutters often "extra" (for extra cost) with other captured hollowing systems - AND a laser set up - that locks down solid.
Note: the lathe in this picture is not mine - too neat and clean.
Here's the complete package and you can see that there are quite a few parts you need to keep track of - and store when not needed.
Why I chose the MiniMonster rather than one of the other "captured systems"
1. For $330 plus $30 S&H you get a pretty complete package that works together as a system. There's nothing YOU have to make.
Now ordinarily "package deals" often include stuff you don't want and probably will never use. That's not the case with the MiniMonster package - ALL the cutter attachemtns are what I'd want - and fit BOTH bars. No new car dealership "Base Unit Price" PLUS a mind numbing list of "options" and "special packages" which can increase the price of the Off The Lot Price by 40-60%.
The lase, its battery pack and support system is designed as an integral part of the system, not an afterthought add on - that'll cost you "extra". The laser is pretty easy to set up and locks in rock steady - no vibrating "it's over here, no it's over there, no it's just a big blur".
2. The unit's base, which you attach to your lathe's ways, extends the support for the unit back off the end of the lathe's ways. That leaves you with more useable length for hollowing - a shortcoming other systems have - when used on a minimidi lathe
3. No special tool rest required. You can use the tool rest that came with your lathe, or any of the after market tool rests you've got.
4. Unlike some of the other captured system, you CAN adjust the height of the cutter quickly and easily. Handy if you want to set the cutter or scraper above, at, or below centerline. And that means you can , with some of the cutters, cut on the "far side" at the proper height.
5. The shank of the cutting attachments that fit in the hole on the bar all have a flat ground in the round shank. That's important because
Set screws are harder than the shank of the cutter heads - and therefore cut a "dimple" in the shank of the cutter when tightened down. If the shank's round and fits the hole in the bar nice and snug, that/those "dimples" can make getting the tool out - and later back in "fun". If you have to periodically sand or file off "dimples", after a while things can get a bit sloppy - and having to fight to get a cutter in or out of a bar is "not a good thing".
While a round shank does allow you to change the cutting angle - it also means that YOU- HAVE TO - set the angle, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing depending on how much you know about how each tool should be set up. With a flat on the shank you start pretty close and are left with a little "adjustment room". And since the flat is ground by the manufacturers, THEY get you real close to where the cutter SHOULD BE SET - handy since THEY designed the tool.Since you have a little adjustment room in the shank of the cutter, and a little adjusment room where the bar joins the articulating arm - you end up "in range" with enough adjustment available to tune how YOU want the cutter to work.
Minor gripes:
1. There are two "L handles" on the laser mounting bracket - which interfere with each other when they're first installed. Once installed they work just fine.
2. There is no "users manual" and or assembly instructions that come with the unit.
Here's my solution to where to put all this stuff when the MiniMonster isn't mounted on the lathe. Slips over the back of the lathe bench - out of the way - but easy to get to.
Made it out of 1/2"ply, a little 1/4" ply scarps and some 1/4" and 7/8" dowels. Oh - and there's a rubber band - this thing wants to open up and swing all over hell if you don't tie it down.
