Turning for Furniture Makers: The Roughing Gouge
David Douyard shows Anissa and Ben how to use the workhorse of lathe work, the roughing gouge
Apr 09, 2019
Start your 14-day FREE trial to watch this video
Plus, access more than 500 video workshop episodes when you become a member
Don’t let the name “roughing gouge” mislead you. This tool is incredibly versatile and capable of doing very fine work. In fact, chairmaker David Douyard uses the roughing gouge 95% of the time when he is turning. Many of his ladderback and Windsor chair spindles can be shaped from beginning to end with the roughing gouge. David uses the roughing gouge for three different cuts—the roughing cut, a scraping cut, and a shearing cut—and all three are just a matter of changing the projection of the tool to the work.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
Videos in the Series
-
Sharpening Turning ToolsApril 2, 2019 -
Turning for Furniture Makers: The Roughing GougeApril 9, 2019 -
Turning For Furniture Makers: Roughing from a riven blankApril 16, 2019 -
Turning For Furniture Makers: The Skew ChiselApril 23, 2019 -
Turning For Furniture Makers: V-Grooves and BeadsApril 30, 2019 -
Turning For Furniture Makers: Accurately Sizing Parts and TenonsMay 7, 2019 -
Turning For Furniture Makers: Turn a carving mallet – ConslusionMay 14, 2019
Comments
More please! Great presentation that is easy to understand, and makes me want to get into the shop!
I like this kind of presentation. I do some turning, but still picked up some good tips for use of the roughing gouge. Looking forward to more in this series.
Anissa, You are the best. I identify with you most of any Fine Woodworking public figures.
Please make this a whole series. I am sure that there are many of us with underused lathes due to lack of knowledge. The beauty of this initial video is that by engaging and teaching actual neophytes (hello Annisa and Ben!), we can actually relate to the fear they are showing for this misunderstood machine. Thank you, thank you!
Nice video. I despise all the safety gurus on the internet, but while turning wood or using a drill press, you should never, ever leave long hair untied. If it gets caught by the spindle, good night. Just saying.
You're right, and actually we address that in the next episode. But I'll put a note in the post.
Very nice as presented. Will there be more? Please. How about going from square stock to round?
Yes, more please. Very nice presentation.
Please do the SKEW!!! I find the roughing gouge to be a pussycat compared to the great ruiner of spindles... The Skew.
It's coming... and it was tough!
What size is that roughing gouge?
Very well presented, please continue with more videos.
Just getting started on the series, two things that stand out for me and maybe you can elaborate on the reasons for it:
I come from a metal turning background and as a result, I wonder why you wouldn't position your body in the opposite direction so that your body and clothing is away from the chuck and the stock. Also, why are you working away from the chuck not into the chuck? The headstock has got the bearings set up so that that they take the pressure from the cut. Was that just for the camera?
Log in or become a member to post a comment.
Sign up Log in