Do I need a gouge for this?

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi all,

Please think pencil box lid and the indentation to put your finger in, so that you can open the lid.

Presumably I need some sort of gouge to cut it? Could you please tell me what you would recommend?

Thanks,
Neil

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Yes - a fairly broad in-cannel gouge of shallow sweep would be the ideal, but as such a tool has relatively few other uses, investing in one specially is probably not worth it.

However, a carving gouge of shallow sweep will make a perfectly decent job, and having a small selection of carving gouges on hand is not a bad thing - they do come in handy for all sorts of odd jobs. A largish out-cannel firmer gouge may also do at a pinch, but may not be quite as easy to control, since a higher angle of attack will be needed.

Don't try to take out the 'dent' in one cut - take several shallow, controlled shavings. Finish the vertical bit where your finger-nail engages with a scalpel or similar sharp knife. As always, holding the workpiece firmly helps, and doing a couple of practice runs on scrap is no bad thing, either.

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi CC,

However, a carving gouge of shallow sweep will make a perfectly decent job, and having a small selection of carving gouges on hand is not a bad thing - they do come in handy for all sorts of odd jobs.

Do you have a link to the sort of thing that you are suggesting? As I don't see much use for it after, I'd like to try and get something at a boot fair.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[Racers]

hi Neil

You could do a V shaped notch with a chisel, or borrow some gouges from me.

Pete

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Hi Neil,

By far the cheapest and easiest option is to take up Pete's offer of a loan. However, if you fancy a bit of rust-hunting, or a quick dip into Ebay, look out for something like the photo's at the top of this page - http://www.henrytaylortools.co.uk/ampro.html

The downside with buying secondhand is the need to sharpen, and carving gouges are not the easiest of tools to bring back to working order if they've been neglected a bit, or the bevels have been allowed to become too steep. On the other hand, buying new will quickly absorb many pennies!

Edit to add - carving gouge sweeps start at 3 (almost flat) and run to 11 (I think), which is a 180 degree deep hollow (the smaller sized ones are called 'veiners', if I recall correctly). The ideal for what you need would be about 4 or 5 sweep, say 5/8" size or a bit larger. I think they come in about £25 - £30 a pop new, depending on maker and retailer; borrowing sounds a good bet!

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi CC,

By far the cheapest and easiest option is to take up Pete's offer of a loan. However, if you fancy a bit of rust-hunting, or a quick dip into Ebay, look out for something like the photo's at the top of this page - http://www.henrytaylortools.co.uk/ampro.html

Thanks for all of your help.

Neil

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Pete,

You could do a V shaped notch with a chisel, or borrow some gouges from me.

That's a really kind offer, I'll be in touch shortly.

Thank you,
Neil

 

[bugbear]

When making a thumb "handle" like this, there's a minor problem.

If the gouge is sharpened straight across (normal practise) when the wings touch the vertical cut, the centre of the gouge will not (yet) have reached it, since the gouge is coming in at a sloping angle. The cuts don't quite meet, but a little fiddling normally releases it.

BugBear