3/8 vs 1/2 Bowl Gouge

Re: 3/8 vs 1/2 Bowl Gouge

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>George, I like the combo of a 1/2 in. gouge and a 1/4 incher. I use my 1/4 in. gouge a lot for small work, details etc. I grind it in a 45 degree fingernail grind which makes it very versatile. I have a 3/8 in. gouge which I almost never use.

Wally

Re: 3/8 vs 1/2 Bowl Gouge

George Van

>Hi Wally,

I sure wish there would have been an opening in your class when I was in Phoenix. I could have learned a lot. The Arizona Woodturners had a good meeting and were very welcoming host. I enjoyed their demos and friendship.

When you say 45 degrees do you mean the nose bevel? Am I treading risky ground with my 3/8-spindle gouge at 60 degrees?

BTW I did get the Raffan Design book along with his three set series. They are great and help a lot. I enjoyed seeing your bowl with the plug in the bottom in his book.

Thanks, George

Re: 3/8 vs 1/2 Bowl Gouge

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>George, the 45 deg. is the nose bevel. 60 deg. is okay for a 3/8 gouge, but if you also have a 1/2 in. gouge ground at 60 deg., I'd suggest 45 or 50 for the 3/8 gouge.

Wally

you can have both of mine

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>I don't really know how to directly answer your question, but if you'd be open to an alternate view on the subject...

Haven't needed either of the two gouges you mentioned, nor any others, even once, since learning how to use the Ellsworth grind gouge. In fact, all of my tools stay sharper much longer (till they rust probably) with this new Ellsworth tool. I can't say enough about it. The fact that I'm using it exclusively is also allowing me to gain remarkable control with it as opposed to switching back and forth between other tools.

I'm using it on small bowls, large bowls, natural edged bowls, and everything in between. No spindle work though.

Consider one by renting the Ellsworth video from Craft Supplies. After you see it in action you might just wind up with one on your Christmas list.