sharpening your bowl gouge

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cowchaser

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What is everyone using to sharpen their bowl gouge? I have both a wolverine sharpening system and a jet sharpener, but no jigs for bowl gouges. Is their actually a jig for bowl gouges for these?

Any help is appreciated.
 
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I've got the Wolverine jig and like it. Actually, I have two because I use two different profiles. It makes the sharpening easy and quick. And when I'm in the middle of a wet bowl quick is very important.

Marc

cowchaser said:
What is everyone using to sharpen their bowl gouge? I have both a wolverine sharpening system and a jet sharpener, but no jigs for bowl gouges. Is their actually a jig for bowl gouges for these?

Any help is appreciated.
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Try here:

http://packardwoodworks.com/Merchan...n=CTGY&Store_Code=packard&Category_Code=sharp

There are many jigs for sharpening bowl gouges. I use a fingernail grind and find it works for a lot of things.

I have both the Wolverine and the Elsworth jig. Both are fine.

I know some can hand grind, but that takes a lot of talent and time. These systems are pretty much fool proof. However, a friend made a template for setting up consistant distance (as the wheel wears down) with the Wolverine system that works great.

If you want, I can send you a picture or a drawing of it. I think I could do the drawing in Photoshop so that it would be full size. You can cut one out on a scroll saw.

Florida Don
 
I have heard that the Tormek jigs work with the Jet sharpener. I have the Tormek jig for bowl gouges and it is very easy to use.
 
I free hand my bowl gouge. I learned how to sharpen all my tools free hand when I took a bowl turning class through the Adult Continuing Education. It was 8 Mondays for 3 hours each night. Although shaprening wasn't really part of the class I asked the instructor to teach me. I took all my tools into class and he showed me how to sharpen them and watched me practice. The advantage is that once you learn how to free hand you can sharpen your tools anywhere, anytime. All you need is a grinder. I think it is a skill worth learning.

I've never used a commercial jig but I do have a home made one I use for some of my tools. Maybe some day, when I sell more pens, I'll get a commercial system.
 
rick_lindsey said:
How much sharper would a slow wet grinder get a tool than a 1725rpm grinder, assuming a similar wolverine-style jig on each?
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The Tormek style jig and the Wolverine jig are totally different jigs. That said, I believe the official difference between the sharpness of the two systems is 1.3nanometers divided by the circumference of the gouge and then the altitude must be factored in. Tonight is a full moon so the force of the additonal gravitational pull will change the result by 0.000000001 BCH divided by the height of the Washington Monument.

YMMV,

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 
Actually I was wondering that very thing, I have a high speed grinder and was wondering if a home made rig will work with that or do I need a slow speed grinder?
 
rjwolfe3 said:
Actually I was wondering that very thing, I have a high speed grinder and was wondering if a home made rig will work with that or do I need a slow speed grinder?
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You need a slow speed grinder -- the slower the better. The high speed grinders generate too much heat which is bad for your tools.
 
rjwolfe3 said:
Actually I was wondering that very thing, I have a high speed grinder and was wondering if a home made rig will work with that or do I need a slow speed grinder?
Click to expand...

Need? NO...slow speed is better but you can use a high speed one (I do) but a bit trickier. Just don't let it heat up by giving it a "break" or occasional dip in water.:wink:
 
wdcav1952 said:
The Tormek style jig and the Wolverine jig are totally different jigs.
Click to expand...

The realms of Hades will likely be frozen over before I could buy a Tormek, but harbor freight has a couple of wet/dry grinders in the $60-$100 range... this one : http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95236 is $110 but the cheaper one doesn't look like it would lend itself to a wolverine style jig.

Are there ways to slow down a grinder short of gearing it?

-Rick
 
rick_lindsey said:
How much sharper would a slow wet grinder get a tool than a 1725rpm grinder, assuming a similar wolverine-style jig on each?
Click to expand...

I dont think it would make any real difference in turning work. It might look shinier but I doubt if you would notice any difference in the performance of the tool. I also dont think you need a slow speed grinder unless maybe if all your tools are carbon steel, then it could be beneficial.
I do use a tormek for flatwork blades and chisels however.
Ive always been advised that a high speed grinder won't do any permanent damage to HSS tools as even if you blue the edge you won't actually lose the temper.
You should never blue the edge anyhow during sharpening as the tool only needs a few seconds contact with the wheel to sharpen it.
I think a lot of turners spend way too long at the grinder when they sharpen a tool, almost regrinding them at times which is a real waste of time and money. Little and often is a good at the grinder.
I was once told by a very experienced turner never to dip a hot edge into cold water, HSS or carbon steel, as it could impare the cutting edge. He suggested a fine spray/mist is best to cool the edge without damage.
 
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