Bowl Gouge Suggestion

[dhall]

Being new to this site and to woodworking, I am interested in learning to turn small bowls. I have a midi Delta lathe and a few turning tools but no bowl gouge. With Fathers Day coming up, that might make a good gift for me. I know very little about them. Can you folks give me some suggestions as to what I should get that's want cost a fortune?

Also; is there anyone in the Kings Mountain area that would be willing to help me out with proper grinding and sharpening of my tools?

Thanks!
Darryl

[Roy G]

Darryl, with a midi lathe you won't be turning huge bowls so you could look out for a 1/4" or 3/8" gouge. One thing I have noticed is that the flute is different on different manufacturer's gouges. The Henry Taylor has a v-shape flute and the Sorby has a more u-shaped flute. I have used both and they have their advantages. The v-shaped doesn't remove wood as rapidly, so it is an advantage in learning, but then it takes longer to hog out the interior. I think the first Henry Taylor gouge I bought lasted twenty years before I had ground it too short to use, so the cost is not an issue when you consider how long they last. I have heard people say they like Doug Thompson tools and there are CPM (powdered metal) that hold an edge longer.

Often you get what is available and then use it. Look around for the local turners and see if you can use their gouges.

Roy G

[Sanders Fine Woodworking]

I like the powdered metal Crown gouges with the black handles and Doug Thompson are great.

[ScottM]

Lots of folks consider a 1/2" gouge pretty much a standard. There are various preferred grinds (shapes of the cutting edge) which help you maintain consistent contact with the bowl. Keeping them sharp is the most important aspect. I just play at turning. I have this gouge and it seems to work OK.

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merc...=tools-pkrd-bg

[dhall]

Thanks for the replies.

Scott, is that packard gouge HSS? The ad did not say.
When buying a new gouge do the come with the correct profile ground on them?

[ScottM]

Yes the Packard gouge is HSS. Most modern tools are. HSS covers a lot of steel. There are different hardness ratings. The Packard steel is not the best but not the worst. Remember the harder the steel the harder to shape and sharpen but the harder steel also holds a edge long. As for the profile. It comes with a standard but dull profile. There are a number of You Tube video on sharpening and changing the profile if you can't find a local person to work with.

[dhall]

Thank you.

[allisnut]

Darryl,

I have one of the 1/2" Packard bowl gouges, and the wolverine sharpening system. I'm not that far from you, just a little west of Shelby.

Adam

[caskey]

There are 3 main types of metal used in turning tools.
1) hss. Has a sharp edge does not hold it very long
2) powder metal. Holds an edge about 3 times longer than hss but it cannot be sharpened to as fine of edge as hss
3) cryo. Its powder metal that has been super cooled this hives you best of powder metal and hss. A sharp edge that last a long time...

As for tool if you stick to crown or sorsby you will not be disappointed
you just do not want to learn with a standard english grind. You want more of an elsworth grind. ( tormek and wolverine will belp with that) once you learn the tool it will be your main turning tool

[aplpickr]

I recommend a 1/2" bowl gouge with a Ellsworth or similar grind. A 1/4" bowl gouge is probably too small for most turning. It will vibrate too much. Crown or Packard are good tools, there are some better but LOTS worse. In M-2 HSS tools a 0.1 % change (that is only one part per thousand) in alloy ingrediants can cause serious differences. Beware of Chinese imports, they can be disappointing. I took a bowl class at Arrowmont with a Woodcraft 5/8" Chinese, a Crown 3/8" and a Packards 1/2". The WoodCcaft required THREE times the sharpening as the other two. Gouges were done with the same shape, same grinder, and all three used on each piece of wood. After several days I stopped using the Woodcraft. The WC should have lasted longer since it had more surface area to get dull!

[dhall]

Darryl,

I have one of the 1/2" Packard bowl gouges, and the wolverine sharpening system. I'm not that far from you, just a little west of Shelby.

Adam

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. I will buy a Crown or Packard this week.

Adam, could I talk you into some help with grinding and sharpening?

[ScottM]

Darryl, if you buy a Crown check with Craft Supply USA. They are one of our site sponsors. They have great prices and customer service.