Seeking opinions....

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opfoto

opfoto

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Joined
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Everyone....
I am looking to purchase my 1st bowl gouge and I am not sure what size to start with. I am an hobbyist with a mini and a desire to turn bowls. I presently have spindle turning tools and I have read that these are not to be used for bowls. I have looked at the artisan, henry taylor and the crown. I am thinking the 1/2" would be a good one to start with. Any thoughts?
TIA
 
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First, you need to read up on bowl gouges. There are, at least, two ways the size is measured. Basically, English and U.S. and it can be very confusing. A mini lathe doesn't have a whole lot of power for bowl turning so I would suggest a smaller gouge. All you have mentioned are OK, do get high speed steel.
 
I turn bowls on my jet and turn them as large as I can...almost 10". I use 5/8, 1/2, and 3/8 bowl gouges. Check out unhandled tools such as those sold by P/N. You can make your own handles.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Originally posted by opfoto

Everyone....
I am looking to purchase my 1st bowl gouge and I am not sure what size to start with. I am an hobbyist with a mini and a desire to turn bowls. I presently have spindle turning tools and I have read that these are not to be used for bowls. I have looked at the artisan, henry taylor and the crown. I am thinking the 1/2" would be a good one to start with. Any thoughts?
TIA
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I remember asking this question a couple of years ago. I'm glad I took Mudder's advice (he was right for once! ;) ...... an Ellsworth Signature Gouge. (Don't forget the sharpening jig).
 
I have to echo Doc's advice. When first starting out with bowls, the Ellsworth gouge is the way to go. The Ellsworth grind removes the tool's ears from the learning equation and makes it much easier to turn your fist bowls. If you already have the wolverine sharpening system, you can use that to sharpen the Ellsworth as well.
 
Originally posted by Ron in Drums PA

Sorry to disappoint you folks, but you can put a Ellsworth grind on any gouge.

Before it was called a Ellsworth grind it was called an Irish grind.
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You can also go out and buy an Ellsworth gouge, he even signs it....LOL...Rockler carries it, as well as Highland Hardware. For a beginner, I would recommend just getting the gouge already ground to the "Irish Grind" or Ellsworth profile, and learn how to sharpen it already profiled.
 
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