bowl advise needed

Re: My enemy

Joe Fleming

>Carol,

First of all, make sure that the gouge is the size you want. Many gouges made in Britain that list their sizes as 1/2" have bar stock that is 5/8" thick. Tools made in the USA typically call a 1/2" bar stock tool a 1/2" bowl gouge. The British would call this same gouge a 3/8".

In my opinion, the most versatile size for a bowl gouge is the 1/2" barstock size.

Having given that preamble, my experience with the Diamic tools is that they are fine. M2 steel is a good high speed steel. Most of my bowl gouges are M2. M2 and some of the other steels are much harder and advertise that you can go longer between sharpening. I've never tried to "measure" this claim.

More important to me are the following attributes:

#1 - Flute shape. I use a "U" shaped flute the most. Sorby has this shape and, I think the Taylor gouges do to. I also use a Glaser gouge that has a "V" shaped flute. I use these tools for different types of cuts.

#2 - Handle balance. I love my Glaser gouges for the fell, balance, confort, vibration damping, etc. They are hard to beat. I have re-handled most of my favorite gouges with Trent Bosch handled filled with lead shot. I have three of these. I also have an Exocet handle that I use for gouges.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

Barstock size

Bill Howatt

>I used to use a 1/2" bowl gouge but I bought a Sorby 5/8" (bar size) gouge. I now consider the old 1/2" one rather thin. I use the 5/8 on virtually everything and in fact just got finished roughing some small (5"dia) crabapple bowls with it today.

I wouldn't say there is no place for a smaller gouge but I sure like the larger one.

Bill

Re: bowl advise needed

Wally Dickerman

>Carol, Henry Taylor tools are excellent. I believe that the Diamic brand is sold mostly in Europe by H.T. I had one but got rid of it because the handle was short.

I believe that M2 steel is used by most of the manufacturers.

Experienced turners have their own likes and dislikes for various reasons. I have 2 Glazer gouges and use only one of them, that for roughing out only, while Joe prefers his over others.

My preference is the 1/2-inch (english measurement) along with a 1/4-inch for small work and detail work. I have a 3/8-inch, which I have ground square across and use it flute up, for final smoothing cuts.

Wally

Measurement Standard Needed

Brad Vietje

>I was formerly under the impression that spindle gouges were measured by the shaft diameter, while bowl gouges, due to all the different flute profile geometries, were sized by the width of the flute ... seems I was wrong about that. Seems the English measure the flute width, and we Americans do whatever we please (OOPS -- sounds like international politics !), and some level of confusion persists.

I think some sort of standardized nomenclature and sizing would be helpful to the sport -- maybe even a few standardized names/descriptions of flute geometry (deep-fluted vs. "V" or "U" profile, vs. "Megaflute", etc...). Anyone agree ?

Safe Spinning,

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Get the English to standardize?....

tdaniel

>You gotta be kidding! They are still driving on the wrong side of the road! Either do it their way or forget it.

TD

Get the English to standardize?....

tdaniel

>You gotta be kidding! They are still driving on the wrong side of the road! Either do it their way or forget it.

TD

Well, it was worth saying twice....

tdaniel

>

Re: Get the English to standardize?....

Dan Faux

>I was once told by a much wiser person than myself to ask myself this before I spoke...

Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary

Dan, obviously that person was wise......

tdaniel

>but had no sense of humor. I am of UK stock myself. No harm intended.

TD

Re: bowl advise needed *LINK*

Fog Tanner

>I use the Henry Taylor tools, including the Diamic brand. I have one M4 9/16" shallow gouge, and the rest are M2. They have all been good tools. I use both the 1/2" and 5/8" bar size gouges. The 5/8" when I am over the tool rest a long distance. For smaller work I use a 3/8" Superflute. On the outside I use the 9/16" and 1/2" shallow gouges for most if not all the work (cheaper steel than a bowl gouge and they do the same job). I prefer to buy my tools unhandled and make my handles to suit me.

As mentioned the US uses the size of the bar totally, and the English use another system - actually two. The Henry Taylor deep fluted gouges are measured across the flute (i.e. 1/2" flute = 5/8" bar). The Superflute (which is all I use), is measured from the edge of the flute to the outside of the bar. So I just stick to the bar size to make life easier.

P&N are another excellent brand and the steel is a little cheaper than Henry Taylor. These can be had at Woodcraft or from Carols in Australia. P&N are made in Australia. Below is a link to a place that carries all the Henry Taylor tools and at a decent price. Steve has both handled and unhandled tools.


http://www.cuttingedgetools.com/Onlinecat.htm/WebCatalog/Taylor.Turn.htm

The English DID standardize ...

Clem Wixted, Jonesboro, AR

>... it's those colonists that try to change everything! :-)

Also of British stock!

Re: Measurement Standard Needed

ArtLiestman

>Standards are, generally, a good thing. How's that metric conversion coming along?

If they are on Metric......

tdaniel

>Then why is their bowl gouge a 1/2 inch, etc?

Re: Measurement Standard Needed

Fog Tanner

>The same as the English finishing their conversion to the Whitworth system.

Re: If they are on Metric......

ArtLiestman

>I make no claims about the English. I only wanted to point out that although there are international standards on various things, some people/countries won't/don't adopt them. Why should bowl gouge terminology be any different?