Beginner Gouges

[MikeH]

I am possibly buying the lathe I found on Craigslist and need to find a decent (but not too expensive) set of gouges. The lathe will come with a set of chisels but, I also need a few gouges.

Suggestions are welcome...

 

[NCPete]

I suggest you don't bother trying the carmel apple empanada at Taco Bell, not very good for eating, probably worse as a turning tool! :lol:

 

[MikeH]

Thanks Pete. Any suggestions on gouges?

 

[NCPete]

sorry, that was a bad joke, reflecting how much I haven't slept lately, perhaps?

there are some good reviews of the more expensive HF set, but if you just need one or two pieces, buy better, like DaveO posted earlier, and replace the others as they become worn.

 

[NCPete]

beat me back by a second!

 

[DaveO]

For basic bowl turning a "fingernail grind" 1/2" bowl gouge would be a good place to start

You also might want a good 1" round nose scraper, and a side scraper to smooth everything out.
Dave

 

[jtdums]

I would like to second the 1/2" fingernail ground bowl gouge as a good first choice. However, you will need to be able to sharpen it or it will become useless. If you own a bench grinder, you can make or purchase a grinding jig that will keep you sharp and turning for a long time to come. I like my shop built wolverine as a good starting point.
Happy turning.

 

[MikeH]

Thanks Jim. I do have a bench grinder. Do you know where I can find plans for a grinding jig?

 

[jtdums]

I have to admit that I bought the oneway fingernail jig and use it in a quazi wolverine base that I made after looking at another one. However, there is a site that shows how to make one entirely out of wood.
Try this one:
Voici ma station d'
or this one to be used with a purchased jig.
Woodbox 23 » Blog Archive » Building a Lathe Tool Sharpening Jig

Hope this helps.
-jim

 

[Travis Porter]

I believe woodsmith or shopnotes had a tip/article on how to build a grinding jig out of wood.