Two Questions (For Big Mike?)

[gator]

Is there another bowl turning class by Big Mike at Woodcraft in the planning? And if so, what is the instructor's suggestion for a bowl gouge if given the following constraints:
approximately $60 budget, size? - 3/8", 1/2" what, grind (remembering budget and a newbie bowl turner). Really can't even turn a good spindle yet.

If no class planned in the near future, what is everyone else's gouge suggestion?

George

 

[Big Mike]

George, I am open to another class but Tom hasn't offered me one at this time...I think David F. was so scared after one day with me that he told Tom that I should not be anywhere near a lathe...:rolf:

George, a good all around gouge for turning bowls is a 3/8". If you are going to do a lot of green wood turning and rough outs then I would say a 1/2" or 5/8" would be a better choice. It also depends on your lathe. Your lathe needs to have some "ooomph" if you are going to take a full cut with either the 1/2" or 5/8".

As far as types, I am hesitant to name one brand over another as long as the steel is HSS. That said, for the money, the Henry Taylor 3/8" custom superflute gouge sold by Craft Supplies for $50 is an excellent tool. I was asked to assemble a selection of tools for a new turner and I reground and demonstrated this tool for him and it was very nice.

A 3/8" gouge is large enough for most of the work the average bowl turner will do. When I teach that is the size I start with. IMHO.

I use a sweptback Irish grind but not as far back on the wings as some. I find that my lathe will handle this length of flute for roughing out green bowls better. I have 1 1/2 hp for power. Here are some pics: from top to bottom 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8" bowl gouges.