Tips for beggining bowls?
- Thread starter Dutra
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JF36
Member
I do not do much bowl turning but I use the easy rougher and easy finisher. They are a little pricey but I was amazed at how well they cut even through hard maple. If you are going to be turning a lot of bowls I would deffinetly look at them.
bitshird
Member
Thompson bowl gouges are about the best you can find!!! they aren't cheap, but you get your money's worth. But there are also some reasonably priced Carbide insert tools as well, which are a lot easier to use,
grz5
Member
Several good gouges include sorby fingernail gouge, the david elsworth bowl gouge, and the thompson bowl gouge. They're worth the money. I would recommend looking into getting a used gouge. It's cheaper then buying a new one and it'll work just as well 
randywa
Member
If there's an AAW chapter close by, it may be possible to demo several tools at a meeting. http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/LocalChapters.asp
robutacion
Member
I was going to write a long reply with some pics but than I realized that, you can see all that by watching some YouTube videos about bowl making.
You will see what is used in tools and how the whole process is started, even tough, there are a few ways to go about it..!
Good turnings...!
Cheers
George
JimB
Member
If you don't have the budget for one of the more expensive ones take a look at Wood River from Woodcraft. I have a 1/2" fingernail bowl gouge from them and use it a lot more than my Sorby, although in fairness the Sorby is 3/8".
bensoelberg
Member
I recommend a 1/2 inch bowl gouge to start out with. There are a ton of quality gouges out there, that will all work. I would also recommend getting a hold of a copy of Bill Grumbine's video on bowl turning, I don't remember the exact title right now.
Seer
Member
I need to put my glasses back on I thought the title said ::Tips for Begging Bowls""
bitshird
Member
That's what I thought, in retrospect Begging Bowls may become a good selling/begging/ trade item soon
jhprice
Member
You will find that bowls are highly addictive. The size of the gouge depends on the size of your lathe. Too big and you can easily stall mini. Even a 1/2 inch can be too much for my Nova.
Get a David Elsworth book to get se ideas from. Also, get with your local AAW chapter. Excellent source of info. Another educational source is your local Rockler or Woodcraft store. Both usually sponsor classes.
Enjoy,
John
Get a David Elsworth book to get se ideas from. Also, get with your local AAW chapter. Excellent source of info. Another educational source is your local Rockler or Woodcraft store. Both usually sponsor classes.
Enjoy,
John
jbswearingen
Member
Along with the suggestions for finding a local AAW, search YouTube for videos on turning bowls. I've found videos there SO much more useful and helpful than any book I've read.
Fred
Member
Carbide tips make bowl turning much easier, smoother, and quicker, and I do believe have less 'catches'. IMHO they definitely are worth the investment if you decide that you are going to turn many bowls.
DurocShark
Member
I read the same thing, don't feel bad.
I was trying to imagine the ushers at church waving around a big ole burl bowl with live edges and voids....
Haynie
Member
IPD_Mr
Member
I so much thought of Cav when I saw the title. My spelling is atrocious at best.
I really thought this was going to be a thread on making collection plates/bowls for the poor. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I really thought this was going to be a thread on making collection plates/bowls for the poor. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
TellicoTurning
Member
Dutra,
When I got into bowl turning I didn't have a lot of money to invest in the name brand gouges... I wound up getting 3 different sized gouges from PSI... their Benjamin's Best... they work great for me and since one of the biggest keys to doing bowls well is to have your tools sharp and keep them sharp. The BB gouges are a good way to start when you will spend a lot of time learning to sharpen tools... you can wind up grinding away a lot of steel learning how to sharpen.... buy the best tool you can afford, learn to sharpen it, then learn the techniques of using it....(I'm still working on number 3, but I find that bowls are lots and lots of fun to make. Good luck and have fun.
When I got into bowl turning I didn't have a lot of money to invest in the name brand gouges... I wound up getting 3 different sized gouges from PSI... their Benjamin's Best... they work great for me and since one of the biggest keys to doing bowls well is to have your tools sharp and keep them sharp. The BB gouges are a good way to start when you will spend a lot of time learning to sharpen tools... you can wind up grinding away a lot of steel learning how to sharpen.... buy the best tool you can afford, learn to sharpen it, then learn the techniques of using it....(I'm still working on number 3, but I find that bowls are lots and lots of fun to make. Good luck and have fun.
Russell Eaton
Member
Buy the best you can afford. Like all tools you get what you pay for. Then buy a GOOD face shield, a bowl blank will hurt a lot more than a pen blank when it comes off the lathe. I said when because it will happen sooner or later. Learn to ride the bevel and you will amaze yourself at what you can accomplish. Just be safe if you think something bad could happen, stop and figure out a better way. Russell
nativewooder
Member
As others have said, the woodturner site is where to go for info. There is a list of all clubs by State, and contact numbers for each. You may find that your neighbor is qualified to mentor you for bowlturning and tools. Saves a tremendous amount of time on the learning curve.