Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

RonZ

>Hi Dennis,

PAckard tools is actually Hamlet, they note this in their catalog. I own both Hamlet and Sorby tools and there is no justification in the price difference [unless you like fancy ash handles with a brass button on the end]. Go with the Packard/Hamlet tool and you'll be satisfied. I also prefer the Hamlet celtic/long grind as it's wings are swept back a lot which makes for good shearing cuts.

Good luck,

Ron

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Dave MacLuskie

>Where do you see the Packards for about 1/2 the price of the Sorby's? The 3/8" fingernail/celt appears to be about 59 bucks for both the Packard and Sorby. Am I missing some deal?

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Duane

>Hi Dennis I bought a new 1/4" and 3/8" bowl gouge from Packard at the 2004 symposium.Each was about $20.00 less than Sorby.Then Packard gave another 10% off.After using them I like packards tools better,it's longer, fits me more comfortably

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Dennis Taylor (Akron, Ohio)

>the turning class I was attending yestereday, I have a 1/4 bowl gouge, and had it shaped to a fingernail, but when actully using on larger pieces, will it didn't cut the mustard..the instructor lent me his 1/2 fingernail(Sorby) and it was a dream, I had never turned a bowl and I never had spirals of wood trailing off my tool..I was in turners heaven, I know it isn't much to most of you, but it was something to me..the Sorby was nice, just is it worth the 20-30 dollars more in cost?...Dennis

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

TDaniel

>Dennis, there are several things that affect which gouge and which size we should recommend. The size of your lathe, flute shape, handle length all have to be coordinated. If you have a lathe with a small swing, you need a short handle; If your toolrest won't go very low you will likely cut with the tip of the tool instead of the side so flute shape becomes important. A deep "U" shaped flute is the easiest to sharpen and ejects the chips much better than a "V" shape when cutting with the side of the tip; however, when cutting with the nose I don't know that it matters. As far as which brand, since you are just learning to sharpen I would go with the cheapest IF the flute shapes are the same. Take the money you save and apply it toward a jig to sharpen it with.

TD

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Dennis Taylor (Akron, Ohio)

>I have a Jet Mini lathe, and I do have the Wolverine sharpening jig with the fingernail profile attachment...Dennis

3/8" should work fine

TDaniel

>

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Dennis,

I would like to suggest the P&N brand of tools. They are available from Lee Valley and Craft USA. They are only available unhandles, but they are as good as Sorby, but at a lesser price.

Mark

Re: Fingernail grind bowl gouges

JamieDonaldson

>The P&N gouges have a flute shape that is more V than U like the Sorby. I find for my purposes the U shape is easier to sharpen and ejects chips better than the V shape. Buy the less expensive tools until you master sharpening, and then move up if you find a need based on experience.

Buy the flute, not the grind....

Jesper, Denmark

>Sorby and other charge more for the fingernail grind than the standard grind on the same tool.

Since you will be developing your own fashion of grinding anyway, there is no reason to pay the extra 10 bucks for the first grind on the tool.

Buy the standard tool and grind your own fingernails.

Re: Buy the flute, not the grind....

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Great Advice

Mark