Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Bowl gouge question
Heather A. - Anchorage, Alaska
>Hello, I am taking a beginning bowl turning class and am considering buying a 3/8 bowl gouge so that I can learn with my own tool. But then I thought it might be better to try out what the teacher has and see which one I liked. Any suggestions. Also, if I were to get one, which brand would you suggest. I have a jet mini lathe so this would be for small stuff.
Thanks,
Heather
Re: Bowl gouge question
Gary Bills in NC
>I would recomend any of the High Speed steel (M2) gouges in the $40 to $50 range such as Hamlet,Crown,Sorby,etc. These are all good starter gouges. I see no need to spend a lot more when your learning and grinding more than nessesary.
Re: Bowl gouge question
Joel Hunnicutt
>I'm with Bill. I teach woodturning for the community college and several of my students have gotten Crown tools. They seem to hold an edge well and are a good value.
Re: Bowl gouge question
Russell Seaton
>I would also suggest using whatever gouges are supplied by the teacher. Use a couple different brands if you can. I like Sorby. They cost more than Crown but the handle is more comfortable. Worth it to me. I know you can make your own handle but most if not all beginners just want to turn a bowl, not buy a spindle gouge and skew to make a handle.
3/8" British, same as 1/2" American, would be a good size bowl gouge for a mini lathe. Sorby makes its bowl gouges with a fingernail grind to give you an idea of roughly what they should look like when you are done grinding.
Re: Bowl gouge question
Joe Fleming
>I agree with Russell. Borrow the instructor's tools and try out grinds and gouges. One other consideration is that all bowl gouges of the same diameter steel are not milled the same. Some have "U" shaped flutes, some have "V" shaped flutes and others are somewhere in between.
I too like Sorby, but because of the flute shape. I love a Glaser handle.
Joe
Re: Bowl gouge question
Heather A. - Anchorage, Alaska
>Thanks for the responses. I think I will see that my instructon has and try some out.
Heather