DIY Gouge

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holmqer

Local Chapter Leader
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
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Location
CT, USA.
I use a Wolverine Jig to sharpen my gouges, but don't tend to fool with it to try out new profiles because I don't want to go through expensive gouges trying to find new profiles. It was with this in mind that it suddenly occured to me that I should try and make my own gouges! I could then experiment with them to my hearts content on the Wolverine Jig and once I have a new profile that I really like, I can re-profile my Thompson tools.

I decided to make several short double ended gouges that would be models to experiment with before making one to turn with.

At $0.75 in raw materials at 6" long, I don't mind grinding them to oblivion.
 

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Maybe you do not want to actually TRY the different grinds or combinations of grinds on wood, but I do, so I figure that is the price of the learning curve --

On the other hand, I tend to use the Harbor Freight or similar low costs tooling to practice with for grinding different profiles.

When you find one you like -- making a "witness grind" to allow one to come back and repeat the outcome sounds like a solid improvement over the notes I am currently using --
 
Maybe you do not want to actually TRY the different grinds or combinations of grinds on wood, but I do, so I figure that is the price of the learning curve --

On the other hand, I tend to use the Harbor Freight or similar low costs tooling to practice with for grinding different profiles.

When you find one you like -- making a "witness grind" to allow one to come back and repeat the outcome sounds like a solid improvement over the notes I am currently using --

That is sort of the idea I had in mind. I am going to make a set of these mini double ended gouges with various profiles on them. I'll stamp info into the tool to let me re-create them. I can also put these tool bits in my Hosaluk handle and try them out as I started with 1/2" stock. I just have to experiment to see if I need to harden them, or if I can just take a few cuts with them in their current state.

I made them last night, and have not had a chance to try them out yet on some light spindle work to start, then maybe a small bowl.
 
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