Gouges

Gouges · 10-10-2009, 01:19 PM

My meager tool collection contains no gouges of any sort.
In as much as I would like to dabble in some bowl carving, I'm looking to add a couple-three to my stash.
Buying a set is not an option at the moment, so it will be a one-by-one process.
I'd appreciate any opinions/insights as to recommendations and considerations in selecting a few basic, usefull gouges for this kind of work.
Thanks!

CarvedTones · 10-10-2009, 03:14 PM

Some very general information...

Take a look at this chart:

http://www.diefenbacher.com/Sweeps.htm

You can make a case for various combinations. Given only 3 to carve a bowl, I would like to have a big low sweep (I have a #3-30mm) for smoothing, something a little narrower and deeper for a lot of the hogging, maybe in the #6 to #8 range and somewhere between 16 and 24 mm and one #8 or greater that was 10 mm or less. You could carve an entire bowl with any of those, but three are things each is better at. I like straight prfiles, but mostly due to getting used to what I have.

CarvedTones · 10-10-2009, 03:17 PM

Should have added that I have learned that good steel amkes a big difference. My Pfiel and Sorby gouges stay shrap longer than my cheap imports. Good carbon steel. Are you going to be using a mallet?

Tom Dunn · 10-13-2009, 12:42 PM

Are you going to be using a mallet?

Yes!
And I figure to order a sharpening slip of some kind as well.....

CarvedTones · 10-13-2009, 01:37 PM

I figured you were, but thought I would ask. You will want full size tools and it would be nice if you could get a heavy duty one for the hogging. Sorby calls those "sculpting tools", I think. Theirs have a hoop on the striking end as well as the ferrule and a heavier shank and blade. Strictly speaking, it isn't necessary because if you are careful about angling the gouge, paying attention to grain direction and have the bevel right you will always be making nice long curls or playing tiddly winks with reasonable sized chips and not pounding it in like a tent stake. But most of us mortals occasionally strike a full blow on the butt end of one of our favorite gouges when the blade is pretty much not going to move because one of the aforementioned stars isn't lined up. Some of us are even dumb enough to instinctively take a second swing with a little more mustard on it.

I like my diamond honing cone.

Travis Porter · 10-13-2009, 03:54 PM

I am not big into carving (I am still learning how to use the stuff), but I have some flex cut gouges and I just bought I believe a Pfeil from Woodcraft. The Pfeil has a lot more steel and heft to them, but the flex cuts appear to be of good quality and lower priced.