Which Sorby Gouges?

Re: Which Sorby Gouges?

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>Henry, you seem to getting organized for turning. Hillsboro is in a good area for getting some good turning wood. Maple burl, myrtlewood, etc. I spend a couple of months in Portland every summer, and bring lots of wood back home to Arizona.

I suggest that you switch the numbers around and get a 3/8 in. spindle gouge and a 1/2 in. bowl gouge. The grind doesn't matter because you can grind whatever shape you want. I teach turning classes, and when a beginning student brings a new 3/8 in. bowl gouge to class, I offer a 1/2 in. gouge to try. Nearly always they decide that the 1/2 in. is a better choice. Others here may suggest the 3/8 in. It's a matter of choice.

Wally

I agree with Wally

TDaniel

>

Re: Which Sorby Gouges?

Russell Seaton

>I took a class with Stuart Batty and he recommends a 3/8" spindle gouge (no difference in American or British measurements) and a British sized 3/8" bowl gouge (1/2" steel bar for American size). I have both 3/8" and 1/2" spindle gouges and 3/8" and 1/2" British bowl gouges (1/2" and 5/8" steel bar American size). I'd say stick with the 3/8" spindle gouge if you only have one. For the bowl gouge I can turn every bowl that fits on my Delta mini lathe with the 3/8" British bowl gouge. Its a handy size. The 1/2" British bowl gouge is better for deeper stuff when extended over the tool rest. If I could only pick one, I don't know.

Re: Which Sorby Gouges?

JamieDonaldson

>I suggest both 1/2" and 3/8" side ground bowl gouges as a basic set. I do most of my roughing out and larger turnings with the 1/2", and smaller pieces and detailing with the 3/8"- you can't have too many bowl gouges!

Re: Which Sorby Gouges?

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>I turn on a Jet Mini as well, and agree that the 1/2" bowl gouge is not too big. I happen to use a Sorby, but any of the quality brands will work.

I also recommend the 1/4" Sorby spindle gouge, it will allow you to do smaller beads and coves on a spindle than a 1/2".

Mark

Re: Which Sorby Gouges?

Guy

>Remember to size the tools you get to the size lathe you have and the projects you intend to turn.A half inch bowl gouge is very versatile. I use mine for most everything. For a spindle gouge considering the size lathe you are using you may want to consider a 1/4 inch size for detailing etc. Also remember the skew, it is very versatile but intimidating. I'm learning how to use that skew and the more I use it the more I like it. I have Sorby, Crown, and a Henry Taylor and truthfully I like the Crown. They are less expensive,just as durable, and hold an edge just as well as the others. Either way, have fun and be safe!! Oh and one last very, very important point, you can never have too many tools :) :) :) Guy

Thanks!

Henry - Hillsboro, OR

>Thanks for all the input. I was lucky enough to get the gouges at Rockler before they could post the new prices. They were out of the 3/8" spindle gouges, so I got a 1/2" fingernail ($26-10%) and a 1/2" fingernail bowl gouge ($47-10%). For some reason their standard gouges are much more expensive. The 1/2" standard bowl gouge was $63 I think. With the new prices both grinds of the 1/2" bowl gouge are going to be $64.

-Henry