Sorby Sovereign System

Sovereign is a new handle system for woodturners. Like all other Robert Sorby products it is made in Sheffield to the most exacting engineering standards.Sovereign is the name of the interchangeable handle which comes in two lengths - 16" and 22".

The handles are made of aluminium and alloy in combination to give the best of strength, balance and vibration dampening qualities. Each handle comes with a durable Softex grip for extra comfort. Additional knurling provides a further non-slip surface. Both handles will take turning chisels with a 5/8" diameter shaft. Also included are 3/8" and ½" collets to accept tools with those diameters thereby allowing the turner to use his Sovereign for a whole host of different chisels (Note: American-made tools are measured by bar diameter whilst European brands are measured by flute size. Hence the 3/8" collet is designed for a European ¼" gouge, and the ½" collet for a 3/8" gouge whilst the ½" gouge will fit directly into the handle ).The Sovereign handles and collet system are ideal for quick change from one tool to another. At the same time they enable the turner to lengthen or shorten the tool length.

There a several optional extras with the Sovereign System. Whilst the handles are beautiful balanced some turners like a bit of extra weight for control and hence there is a counterweight to fit both handles. For extra control a side handle is also offered. This can be used either on the side or top of the tool in use. For those requiring an even longer handle there is also a threaded coupler which enables the turner to fit two handles together for extra leverage.

The Multi Tip Hollowing Tool has been in existence for a number of years. It comes complete with three cutters - two for hollowing and a third for scraping. One of the beauties of this tool is that it has a half round shank which enables a full 3/4" to be in contact with the tool rest giving the turner complete control when hollowing. Of the two hollowing tips one is rounded for a flowing shape whilst the other is more pointed and as such is ideal for a crisp corner in a box. They are fitted to a swivelling washer which permits under- cutting. The scraper cutter comes with three faces - round, half-round and square - so that it can be used for finishing the inside and outside of bowls, platters and similar projects either as a regular scraper or as a shear scraper. Bottom of the shank has been specially shaped to fit the Sovereign handle.

The Hollowmaster is designed to enable the hollowing of vases. Its swan neck shape allows the cutter to access under rims. Like the Multi Tip Hollowing Tool it has a half round shank which when the flat surface is placed on the tool rest gives extra control. It comes complete with two cutters - one for hollowing and a second for finishing.

The Sovereign Ultima Hollowing System is the latest product from the Robert Sorby factory in Sheffield.

It forms part of the Sovereign System but is also a stand-alone tool in its own right. Available in two sizes it enables woodturners to produce hollow forms up to 11" (275mm) with the small version and up to 16" (400mm) with the medium in both wet and dry woods. It has a cutter system that slices through the wood rather than scraping and the clever design allows the shavings to clear without clogging. It is equally effective on bowl grain work as well as end-grain projects. The cutter is able to make light or heavy cuts and the unique micro adjust feature enables the turner to set the cutter depth with ease.

The cutter is manufactured from high grade HSS and as only one third is exposed at any time it can be rotated twice through 120 degrees before it needs to be re-sharpened.The cutter is easy to sharpen with a diamond hone and can be easily removed if required. A cutter sharpening jig is available as an optional extra. Manufactured from phosphor bronze the jig rotates freely within its sleeve and enables the turner to sharpen either with a diamond hone, bench grinder or ProEdge. The jig will also accommodate other full round cutters.

The articulating head and link system enables the turner to produce a variety of hollow form shapes from the traditional vase to the squashed form. An additional link can be added to achieve extreme undercutting. If the link is removed then the Ultima can be used as a probe for straight sided hollowing.

An optional Ultima finishing head can be fitted which will allow the turner to achieve a smooth surface finish. Other cutters are available that will fit to enable more advanced shape finishing.

Handle Size 16"
Shank Diameter 1/2"
Max. Project Size 11"

Handle Size 22"
Shank Diameter 1/2"
Max. Project Size 16"