Bowl gouge

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Band Saw Box

Band Saw Box

Passed Away Dec 8, 2021
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I been thinking about getting a 3/8" bowl gouge. I was wondering if there is a way to sharpen them with out a grinder and if I had a grinder is there a special jig to keep the proper angle? Thanks for the help.
 
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Yes, if you are turning, you do need a grinder. A Oneway Wolverine with a Varigrind jig .....and learning how to grind your tools is the way to go. Take a sharpening class or hook up with one of your turning friends there and learn how to grind the right edge for the tool for what you are doing. A bowl turner that is.
Do watch the Doug Thompson grinding video.
You can catch a slow speed grinder on sale at Wooodcraft. Basic wheels when trued up will work. After you learn how to grind, then you can upgrade to better wheels.
After your tools are sharpened on a grinder, you can touch up quickly with a diamond stone by hand a number of times before going back to the grinder.

Good luck!
 
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Captain Eddie sells his version of the Wolverine jigs -- the Blackhawk system. Wish I'd have seen that before I plunked down a lot more for the Wolverine.
 
You might think about some HF tools to practice grinding it hurts a little less to screw up a 10 to 12 dollar tool as opposed to a 110 sorby, hamlet or thompson tool. Just my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I think I should wait until I'm back on my feet after my surgery next month before I invest in any new equipment. But I do think I will make the investment next year. I'm going to check out the videos in the meantime.
 
You do not need a grinder....use your sander. All of my sharpening is done on my belt sander. I will not let them touch a grinder unless I'm re-shaping my tools.
 
Do you have a tabletop belt sander? The little table can be angled to get the right grind, you just need to find the best sandpaper to suit your needs. Sorby sells a sharpening system that is just a 1 inch belt sander like knife sharpeners often use.
 
You could also find a hone to keep it up after initial sharpening or the belt sander.

That said , the overwhelming majority of turners amateur and professional use a grinder with jigs or an alternative sharpening system such as the tormek or sorby.
 
Dan Masshardt said:
NittanyLion said:
You do not need a grinder....use your sander. All of my sharpening is done on my belt sander. I will not let them touch a grinder unless I'm re-shaping my tools.
Click to expand...

You are the master of saving money not buying more tools. :-)
Click to expand...


I have 2-benchtop grinders and learned early on that there is no need to destroy your tools with a grinder. I save the grinder for shaping raw steel and lawn mower blades.

A sander takes less off, and it also gives you a sharper tool. I find it hard to believe that more people use a grinder than a sander. If so, that really blows my mind. Try it once with a benchtop sander or belt sander....you'll convert.
 
NittanyLion said:
I have 2-benchtop grinders and learned early on that there is no need to destroy your tools with a grinder. I save the grinder for shaping raw steel and lawn mower blades. A sander takes less off, and it also gives you a sharper tool. I find it hard to believe that more people use a grinder than a sander. If so, that really blows my mind. Try it once with a benchtop sander or belt sander....you'll convert.
Click to expand...

Nah. You're not talking about a slow speed grinder with higher grit aluminum oxide white wheels or the newer cbn wheels. They don't take off much material if you do it right.

I'm sure either method can work, but I'm pretty sure I'm right on the percentage of turners using grinders or sharpeners being over 90%

Not to say it's better, but I've seen numerous pro turnering DVDs and they use a grinder or tormek sharpener.
 
NittanyLion said:
Dan Masshardt said:
NittanyLion said:
You do not need a grinder....use your sander. All of my sharpening is done on my belt sander. I will not let them touch a grinder unless I'm re-shaping my tools.
Click to expand...

You are the master of saving money not buying more tools. :-)
Click to expand...


I have 2-benchtop grinders and learned early on that there is no need to destroy your tools with a grinder. I save the grinder for shaping raw steel and lawn mower blades.

A sander takes less off, and it also gives you a sharper tool. I find it hard to believe that more people use a grinder than a sander. If so, that really blows my mind. Try it once with a benchtop sander or belt sander....you'll convert.
Click to expand...

Guess if you push the tool down with 74.6 psi you could grind it to death. I use a 100g 8" wheel almost daily and my Thompson's have lasted 5-6 years with only 1/2" usable loss. For touch up...Tormek T-3 with a black stone. Thinking of a CBN for Christmas, with the Tormek...no sharper tools on the planet.
 
Wow such great info. I do have a belt/disk sander but I never though about using it to sharpen a chisel so I have to give it a try. Would a 120 grit belt do a good job or should it be a higher grit? I'll have to check to see if there are any videos showing a bowl gouge using a bench top belt sander. I'm hoping I can do it without a jig.
 
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Cap't Eddy has a video on sharpening a skew on a belt sander, check his vids on the blackhawk system and maybe you can come up with something
 
Band Saw Box said:
Wow such great info. I do have a belt/disk sander but I never though about using it to sharpen a chisel so I have to give it a try. Would a 120 grit belt do a good job or should it be a higher grit? I'll have to check to see if there are any videos showing a bowl gouge using a bench top belt sander. I'm hoping I can do it without a jig.
Click to expand...

Dan, your belt disc sander will need to be blown out very very good with an air hose. Remember, dust and sparks sometimes don't play well together. Also, Don't forget about that shop vac hooked up to the belt disc sander.
Belts and discs will wear out faster cutting metal.$$
 
Bob I found a video by cap't Eddie on sharping a bowl gouge with a belt sander, he was using his jig just resting it on the table. I think I can come up with a more stable way. I didn't get to watch the whole thing so I'll have to find it again. I dont remember the title but it was #122 A. Charlie I will be sure to clean out the sander before I do any sharping.
 
I used a cheap 6" grinder for years sharpening bowl gouges. It was kind of tricky to get the swept back wings. I use a slow speed grinder and a wolverine jig now, just so that I have consistency and don't have multi-faceted bevels. I have used a belt sander to help sharpen skews in the past.
 
I used a grinder(11750rpm) with the stone it came with for years. Not the sharpest tools in the world, but they did cut wood. Bought a CBN wheel at AAW National this year from Craft Supply. WOW! It is a 400 grit wheel and it really sharpens. It almost sharpens and hones at the same time. I could never go back. Also got a 180 CBN for more serious grinding if necessary.
I use a Wolverine system for consistency and am very happy with it.
gordon
 
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