Any tips for sharpening bowl gouge?

[dustin510]

I made a jig sharpen my roughing gouge, just an adjustable rod coming from under the bench grinder with a little cup for the butt of the tool. Obviously this is only good for sharpening a square edge, and won't work for the rounded edge of a bowl gouge (not sure correct terminology). If anyone has any suggestions for a cheap way to construct a jig, or a method to get a consistent edge. Also, what are suggested angles for the edge of a roughing gouge and bowl gouge?

 

[ScottM]

Invest in the Oneway Wolverine System. You wiil love it.

 

[crokett]

I made a homebuilt version of the Wolverine system. I did buy the vari-grind jig, but there are plans on the web for a shop made version.

 

[CDPeters]

I think you'll find what you're looking for here or as Scott suggested, invest in the Oneway.

C.

 

[Live4Brew]

Learn free hand...I've been getting my best edges that way.

 

[William Roscoe]

I like free hand as well.Cheap, fast and easy after you catch on to what works:thumbs_up

 

[woodArtz]

I tried free-hand but found that I am clearly "multifaceted". :wink_smil

 

[Henry W]

Re: have a disk sander?

I made a jig to use with my combo belt/disk sander - based on info from David Ellsworth in one of his books. I have since remade it since the first one cracked, but it is entirely ugly and scrap material. It is also very effective. I use it with my 9" disk sander and 150 grit paper.

"Capn Eddie Casatalin" has a bunch of videos on You Tube about turning, and one shows his version of this.
two dollar sharpening jig.avi - YouTube

Mine is a wooden block version with holes drilled for the set screw. through hole for the gouge, and one angled hole for the 'stick.' Cheap and effective.

Henry W

 

[Guy in Paradise]

Lots of videos that provide sharpening assistance

There are many videos out there that cover sharpening. I really like one DVD video "Two Ways to Turn a Bowl" by Mike Mahoney and Stuart Batty, both turners are professionals. Stuart gives a five minute sharpening explanation and demonstration that fairly clear.

Years ago, I made the the substitute wolverine jig for pennies of the authentic jig, and it worked fine, but now I just do it by hand. Buy a few cheap and unusable gouges from Harbor Freight and grind them down for practice, until you get a nice edge. Once that is accomplished, then look carefully at the Mike Mahoney gouges with two ground facets, then buy regular good gouges, for a lot less, and replicate the edges. You can get some nice pictures of the gouges at woodturnerscatalog.com

As well, Mike Mahoney gives a nice explanation on a YouTube video: Tool Design and Grinding with Mike Mahoney - YouTube