Hunter Tool Systems

The Phoenix The Phoenix Tool has an interesting start. It was designed and evaluated by myself (Mike Hunter) several years ago. I did not care for it and placed it on the “wall of shame.” A woodturning friend in Arkansas always likes to evaluate new tools and for some unknown reason this reject was sent to Dennis. Dennis Steltz is an accomplished segmented turner. He also likes to turn boxes, bowls, calabash forms and other larger diameter turnings. He showed me how to use this tool and he also named the tool The Phoenix as it was revived from the ashes.

The Phoenix is a first choice tool for your light finish cuts. The best use of the tools is as a scraper to clean up the sides, blending into the lower radius and removing the nubbins that are always difficult to turn.

The Phoenix uses the small # 1 Cutter which has proven to be a superb finishing cutter. It is a forgiving tool. All tools are shipped with the screw and cutter installed along with a T-9 Flag Style Torx wrench for cutter rotation.

With the cutter slightly above center, rotate the tool slightly clockwise and you will soon learn to peel off shavings that are onion skin thin. The surface will be so smooth that very little sanding is needed. For the smoothest cut, always cut with the grain. The Phoenix tool can be used for roughing cuts, but it is designed for final form and finish cuts. Higher RPM is recommended when using the Hunter Tools. Tools are available with handles or you can turn your own handle to suit your needs. The Phoenix Tool will use the # 1 Cutter, # 1 Screw, and the # 1 Torx Wrench. The shaft is 5/8” diameter. Tools are available with and without handles. If you decide to turn your own handle, my recommendation is a 16” – 18” handle.