The Round Ripper would be my fifth must have product for my wood turning studio ( www.johnmorand.com ) after my lathe, chuck(s), band saw and carbide tools. It only took me about 45 minutes to set up and that included removing the fence from my 17 inch international band saw. The instruction sheet is adequate but could be much clearer in several places for those of us who suffer from dsylexia. I have not yet found the instructions on the web page. I am a visual learner so instructions through a video on the web would rock.

I am a production turner and this tool will dramatically increase my bowl, tea candle and platter roduction. In fact, I can hire someone at minimum wage to turn blanks for me all day long providing me with a lot more product for my online store, craft shows and galleys. You can actually justify this tool to your wife. Once she sees you crank a perfect blank she will understand the benefit of the system.

It would appear that the largest blank turnasble on my version of th Ripper is 16 inches. I do a number of bowls to 20 inches inboard and larger outboard so I will have to think about a larger version of the system when it comes out.
There is an added saftey facrtor using the ripper. if you round your blanks on the lathe between points or on a face plate, periodically you have a block of wood running loose in your shop. if you use the Round ripper that will be one safty issue that will be avoided.

John Morand (Posted on 8/14/11)