Fancy a new bowl gouge

[duncanh]

I have 6 bowl gouges (I think) ranging from 1/4" up to 1/2" manufactured by Sorby, Ashley Iles, Crown and Record. All are HSS and one of the Crowns is their PM brand. I'd say the PM one keeps it's edge marginally longer but it's not really worth the extra cost. I was lucky to find them on sale at Harrogate show for about the same price as standard HSS.

As other's have said, I would go for standard HSS (although theres probably no standard across the manufacturers) and put the money towards more gouges as this allows you to have several with different grinds.

Last year I bought a Record 1/2" gouge and really like it. It's quite a bit cheaper than most manufacturers but has a deep V flute which, with a swept back grind gives a large cutting edge that can really shift timber. Of course, you need to be careful with it as such a large edge can make for large catches.

Duncan

 

[SVB]

Tom,

After experimenting with nearly all makes out there and all the flute profiles that are milled into them (it the flute, not the grind on the end) I keep coming back to the HT super-flute gouges (HS1 is the code for the larger size you are after).

It takes the long grind very well and the steel holds an edge really well.

My 2p worth anyway.

Simon

 

[wizer]

Thanks again all. Simon, from the research that I have done, the superflute is what I favour most -I think. Even from this thread it's hard to work out which gouge to go for. There is such a massive selection out there. I think to save time and money, I'm just going to buy a couple of cheap gouges at Cressing Temple (if they are discounted enough). One HSS 3/8" square grind bowl gouge and one 1/2" fingernail grind. That'll do me for now.

 

[lurker]

Wizer,

Assuming they are there at the show, I'd urge you to look at Ashley Isles stuff. I have his deep fluted gouge and it is a fine tool. It was a very good price from I show I went to.

The web site does not do his tools justice - you really need to see & handle them.

I too want to experiment with gouges & grinds, so like you I wanted a few more.
By being extremely cheeky (if you don't ask you don't get) I aquired two really nice ones (& a smashing scraper!) that were cast offs :roll: from a forum member. I managed to catch him whilst he was drunk ( its the only explanation :duno: ) and he sold them to me for a stupid price - I nearly ripped his arm off!!

 

[wizer]

ooo Jim I nearly didn't read your post and just posted "Shut up Jim" :lol:

So basically you're saying I should buy 2 of each type of bowl gouge on the market? Ok.

 

[lurker]

ooo Jim I nearly didn't read your post and just posted "Shut up Jim" :lol:

So basically you're saying I should buy 2 of each type of bowl gouge on the market? Ok.

I'm saying look at (in the flesh) Ashley Isles stuff before you buy any.

 

[cornucopia]

what are you incinerating about me Jim!!! :lol:

tom- you've used both the ashley isles and the superflute on that oak bowl you and richard did with me. the superflute was in the oneway handle.
out of the two i prefer the ashley isles and find that the superflute can be slightly twitchy with fine cuts, i find both gouge hold an edge for a similar amount of time.

 

[colin macdiarmid]

I use the Ashley isles deep fluted gouge and find it great

 

[robo hippy]

I am one of those who have to experiment a lot. I have a number of the Thompson gouges, and prefer them. I have found his prices to be great as you can only buy direct from him, he does not whole sale his tools. You do have to make your own handles, or use a manufactured one, but I prefer wood. I do like the standard high speed steel, and it does take a bit finer edge that you can notice if you go from the powder metals after a few months of heavy turning, and then switch back to the HSS. The difference isn't much, and as the powder metal technology advances, this difference will get to be considerably less. The biggest difference with the harder steels is that they don't keep a fresh off the grinder edge any better than the HSS. About one minute at high speed finish cut speed will be like about a half mile of wood shavings. The harder steel gouges and scrapers do keep a workable edge a lot longer than the HSS. This means you can do a lot more roughing with them than you can the HSS. I always use a freshly sharpened gouge for the finish cut, and some times even hone it a bit. If you are a real penny pincher, the powder metal tools will last a lot longer, because you don't grind off nearly as much each time you sharpen.

robo hippy

 

[wizer]

Thanks Reed, I do like the look of the Thompson tools but the postage pushes the price up a bit and then the risk of customs charges. I think it'll work out £10-15 dearer than the HT 2060 gouges, bought in the UK. Maybe in the future when I feel like experimenting some more.
I think it's between Ashley Iles & the superflute. I'm a fan of AI's woodworking chisels, but I don't think they will be at the show this weekend, so I'll have to go mail order.