Thompson Tools?

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Yes, I have one of his bowl gouges I like it, it stays sharper longer than my other ones do.
He seems to be a pretty good guy also, cause last year, after hearing he was not going to make it to SWAT, I emailed him to see if I could get an order together between the three clubs that I am in to save on shipping. He answered my email saying he would work with me anyway he could. I thought that was pretty cool.
 
I have several Thompson Tools, gouges and skews, and love them. They stay super sharp for longer that my Sorby's. I've run into him at two symposiums, and he seems like a nice guy.
 
I have one of his bowl gouges. I've only used it once or twice so far, had it over a year or so. So I can't really give you much input. I will be using it more in the future as I try to expand on my turning adventures. If you are only going to be turning pen, I don't see why you would want or need one. But if you are turning other things, well, I have heard nothing but good about them. One thing I am a little concerned about is I get the impression they are difficult to sharpen. Those with experience, is that true?
 
PaulDoug said:
I have one of his bowl gouges. I've only used it once or twice so far, had it over a year or so. So I can't really give you much input. I will be using it more in the future as I try to expand on my turning adventures. If you are only going to be turning pen, I don't see why you would want or need one. But if you are turning other things, well, I have heard nothing but good about them. One thing I am a little concerned about is I get the impression they are difficult to sharpen. Those with experience, is that true?
Click to expand...

I'm going to be making end-grain boxes, so I want a spindle gouge. His web site says he sharpens them initially on a Wolverine.
 
jeff said:
They (well, "he", I understand it's a one man operation...) are right on my way home from work
Click to expand...

That right there would bankrupt me :biggrin:

jeff said:
I'm going to be making end-grain boxes, so I want a spindle gouge. His web site says he sharpens them initially on a Wolverine.
Click to expand...

Talk to him about the Michael Housalak detail gouges that he makes. A detail gouge is similar to a spindle gouge. I first heard about it reading Richard Raffans book on box making. I assumed it was just Australian for spindle gouge, but that is not the case. I have a set of the Michael Housalak detail gouge made by Thompson and I really like them. I have not picked up my spindle gouge since I got them.

I also have one of his bowl v-gouges, got it used from a member here, and really like it.
 
I've got five of his tools... Three different bowl gouges, a skew, and a detail gouge. Most of the turning I do is outside of pens, and I really like Doug's tools and his customer service.

For high end tools, the price is right, and I like the idea of not paying for a handle when all I really want is the steel.
 
Jeff, Doug is kind of a friend of mine and gave me some direction when I started making my Woodchucks, I have a couple of his Bowl gouges one is his Jimmy Clewes signature model and I'm not ashamed to say I use it quite a bit. The Steel he uses is one of the very best tool steels available for wood turning tools, it will sty sharp longer than most other lathe tools other than Carbide. Doug puts a lot of work into his tools, and they are worth every penny.If you stop by tell him Ken Ferrell said Hi, and send to me a commission check LOL
 
PaulDoug said:
I have one of his bowl gouges. One thing I am a little concerned about is I get the impression they are difficult to sharpen. Those with experience, is that true?
Click to expand...

Paul they are just as easy to sharpen as any other Bowl or Spindle gouge, you should use a good jig like a Wolverine or something comparable, but they are no harder to sharpen, and they hold an edge longer than conventional High speed Steel.
 
PaulDoug said:
One thing I am a little concerned about is I get the impression they are difficult to sharpen. Those with experience, is that true?
Click to expand...

I have found that they sharpen just as easily as my Sorby HSS tools. I use a Wolverine to sharpen the gouges, and a DMT hone to refine the edge.


Since the Thompson holds its edge better, I always use it for finishing cuts.

I have a larger Sorby bowl gouge that I will continue to use for roughing until I wear it out and will then get a matching size Thompson. I go down a size to my Thompson once I rough out the shape to get the final profile and surface cuts. The Thompson has been a real blessing now that I am turning thinner walled vessels (1/8" or thinner)
 
VisExp said:
That right there would bankrupt me :biggrin:
Talk to him about the Michael Housalak detail gouges that he makes. A detail gouge is similar to a spindle gouge. I first heard about it reading Richard Raffans book on box making. I assumed it was just Australian for spindle gouge, but that is not the case. I have a set of the Michael Housalak detail gouge made by Thompson and I really like them. I have not picked up my spindle gouge since I got them.

I also have one of his bowl v-gouges, got it used from a member here, and really like it.
Click to expand...

Keith - you use the Housalak gouge for end grain boxes? Which size do you use?
 
jeff said:
Keith - you use the Housalak gouge for end grain boxes? Which size do you use?
Click to expand...

I have three sizes, 3/8", 1/2" and 5/8". I use all three as follows:

Shaping the outside and detail work: 3/8" and 1/2"
Hollowing: 1/2" and 5/8"

If I had to pick two I would get the 3/8" and 1/2".

If I had to pick one I would get the 1/2".
 
VisExp said:
I have three sizes, 3/8", 1/2" and 5/8". I use all three as follows:

Shaping the outside and detail work: 3/8" and 1/2"
Hollowing: 1/2" and 5/8"

If I had to pick two I would get the 3/8" and 1/2".

If I had to pick one I would get the 1/2".
Click to expand...

Michael does sell more of the 1/2 diameter than the others. I just moved the shop to Lewis Rd. in Berea.
 
I have 2 of the bowl gouges and in MOO I don't thing they stay as sharp as my Crown Pro PM. M2CW
 
I will chime in that I have three of his bowl gouges, and a detail
One is johannes tool
Two are Jimmy Clewes series

but there is a trend on here that kind of confuses me.

Most of the people here are stating that the tool stays sharper than anything else they own. And this is true
However, do the people respond turn with a tool edge they have been roughing with?

I always try to sharpen my tool for the last cut or two that I will be doing. Typically this makes for less sanding.

Sorry to upset the apple cart.

BTW, I do notice a big difference between the feel of how my Johannes tool sharpens (which is from 2007), than how the two clewes tools sharpen, which were from hartford aaw symposium 2010.

Jerry
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom