bowl gouge

[mcbryde]

If I were to have to buy only 1 bowl gouge, what size would you recommend?

E

[sachbvn]

I would recommend the "turning bench forum" hehe - I'm just kidding ya!


I think I've read 3/8" or 1/2" are a good start.

Anyone else??


Zac

[mr]

I only have one, and it's a Sorby 3/8". I've been thinking about getting a larger one, but that's the only one I've had for a couple years and it's worked very well on everything I've used it on.

And I highly recommend the Wolverine sharpening system (plus an 8" bench grinder with a pink wheel) for sharpening whatever bowl gouge you end up with.

[mcbryde]

I have an opportunity to buy a sorby 1/2 or 3/8, think I'll buy the 1/2 to start with, would that be a good one?

E

[TDHofstetter]

I'd go with the 3/8", myself. A 3/8" can do things a 1/2" can't do, but a 1/2" can't do anything a 3/8" can't do. I've got several bowl gouges, and I nearly always reach for my favorite 3/8" (a Packard).

[wisardd1]

At first I thought this said 'bowel gauge'. I thought, 'no way' then I read it again.

dale

[boodrow]

I like to use a 5/8 to ruff out then a 3/8 to finish up , with that bein said I guess if I had only one it would be the 3/8. I have a Hammet I sure like.
Boodrow

[Ruffnek]

When sizing a bowl gouge, you must specify whether it's English or American manufacture because they are not the same.

English bowl gouges are measured by the width of the flute where American bowl gouges measure the width of the bar stock. Example: a 3/8" American gouge is only a 1/4" English gouge. Note that the difference in sizing only applies to bowl gouges. Spindle or detail gouges are the same size, regardless of manufacturer.

The grind will also determine what you can do with a specific size gouge. A side grind, fingernail grind, Ellsworth grind, Irish grind (they are all virtually the same thing) is more versatile than a standard grind. However, the level of detail possible generally decreases with gouge size, regardless of the grind.

FWIW, I now use a 1/2" Thompson bowl gouge which has a V-shape, 3/8" flute with a side grind. It's normally the only tool I will use on a bowl, both inside and outside.

[mcbryde]

Thanks for the info guys! That is more than I already knew about bowl gouges, or wanted to know about bowel gauges, LMAO.

E