old folks
Member
Totally new to turning bowls and need advice. What would be a good all around bowl gouge to start with ? I don't know anything about the numerous grinds and my funds are limited. Any help will be appreciated.
Bowl gouge ???
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Rifleman1776
Member
That's one of the most confusing and complex, and controversial, wood turning subjects there is. You will find little to no consensus among turners on which size, grind, profile, etc. is 'best'. There isn't even standardization on sizes. You might see 3/8" bowl gouges that are larger than some 1/2" ones. Go figger. (actually, it is a European/American war that is still unsettled) The best (only [?] ) advice I can give is to find a woodturning club in your area and join. Failing that, try the local library for books or videos that might (or might not) help you. BTW, the bowl gouge makes learning to use a skew seem simple.
KenV
Member
The two largest variables are size and steel. Related is how you sharpen. Most bowl turners use side grind gouges with a deep U shaped profile. There are several jigs that help maintain clean edges, including some that can be home built.
Get a basic high speed steel gouge to start with. If you are turning on a small lathe (midi for example) stick with a small gouge. The catches tend to be smaller. Harbor Freight is a potential source, but the tools there need to be in need of "tune up". I just got a catalog in last nights mail from Lee Valley (leevalley.com) showing a set of economy lathe tools in a good set of sizes. I have had good success with products from Lee Valley - and great customer service. Think about a second straight grind gouge for the bottom or a thick heavy square scraper.
I use wolverine grinding jig for side grind gouges with a small diamond hone to touch up between grinds.
Good luck and best wishes for minimum catches
Get a basic high speed steel gouge to start with. If you are turning on a small lathe (midi for example) stick with a small gouge. The catches tend to be smaller. Harbor Freight is a potential source, but the tools there need to be in need of "tune up". I just got a catalog in last nights mail from Lee Valley (leevalley.com) showing a set of economy lathe tools in a good set of sizes. I have had good success with products from Lee Valley - and great customer service. Think about a second straight grind gouge for the bottom or a thick heavy square scraper.
I use wolverine grinding jig for side grind gouges with a small diamond hone to touch up between grinds.
Good luck and best wishes for minimum catches
Glass Scratcher
Member
The HF set doesn't have a bowl gouge. Yes it is true that the HF sets need to be tuned up. But don't all gouges?
PennState has a HSS 3/8 bowl (Benjamin's Best?) gouge for $13.95 + S&H. I don't know how good this gouge is - it was recommended to me and I just haven't bitten the bullet yet.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lx210.html
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AJM
Member
I have bought three of the Lee Valley economy turning tool's and I'm very happy with them. They are HSS and good prices, I paid $26 CAN for a 1/2 inch bowel gouge, about the same for a 1" skew and $16 dollars for a 1/4" spindle gouge. You can buy a set or one at a time.
Rifleman1776
Member
I don't think you can go wrong with that. If it is really undesirable (unlikely) PSI will take it back. If it's OK, you did good. If it's great, you did great. At that price you really don't have anything to lose.
wdcav1952
Activities Manager Emeritus
OMG that must hurt!!!!!!!!
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Fred
Member
Yea ... I agree with "Cav". Using a bowel gouge would definitely be 'rough' on one's backside. OK, I will stop picking on you. Besides isn't that the job of the "Spelling Cop?"
You can't go wrong with the Lee Valley tools as long as they are comfortable for your use and the metal maintains a reasonably sharp edge for the duration of the turning at hand. []
You can't go wrong with the Lee Valley tools as long as they are comfortable for your use and the metal maintains a reasonably sharp edge for the duration of the turning at hand. [
]AJM
Member
Darn I didn't use the smellchecker[]
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wdcav1952
Activities Manager Emeritus
Originally posted by AJM
<br />Darn I didn't use the smellchecker[
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!! [
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