Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | May 08, 2006 04:22pm | #1

   I have taken the liberty of attaching the original pdf file from The Lathe Book that shows the various grinds for everyone reading this thread.

   I normally grind to the JS4 or even the JS5 grind at 75 degrees to get the asymmetric grind shown. The JS5 gives you more rake back with the corner formed by the top of the flute out of the way and is closer to my drawing. You also get a longer cutting edge allowing heavier cuts. The Tormek manual show the side profile of the edge as a gentle curve. I grind the edge straight. You could touch a flat piece of cardboard at the rake back angle and have it touch all of the edge. This is important for the tool to work properly.

   If you have a gouge that is ground properly you can reverse engineer the settings by blackening the entire ground bevel with a broad tip marking pen. You then experiment with jig settings until turning the wheel by hand remove the black at all points along the edge.

   I will close with the observation that the Tormek will not accomplish some of the advanced grinds used by seasoned bowl turners. (This would be especially flat nose bevel with acute sides.) I have heard from a reliable source that Tormek is coming out with a new jig that will address these shortcomings although I have not seen or tried it yet.

   I have also attached the plans for King Heiple"s shop made jig that will allow all bowl and spindle gouge grins with a cheap 8" bench grinder. Since lathe tools are mostly High Speed Steel these days there is no need for water cooling. Although there is no appreciable difference between re-grinding times on a high speed grinder and a Tormek the initial shaping times are much faster on the high speed grinder.

   With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

   
1. 
   edp | May 11, 2006 05:43am | #2

   Ernie

   Thanks for your response. You say that for bowl gouges you normally use the JS4 + 75 deg or even the JS5 + 75 deg settings. You also say in your book that tyros (such as me) should stay with the "milder" grinds until proficiency improves. I'm not sure from your answer if the recommendations you give relate to your level of skill or mine! What should a beginner like me start with?

   Do you use the same grind for all face work?

   I also asked about settings for spindle gouges (Tormek recommend JS3 at 25 to 35 deg).

   I'm asking about Tormek settings because it's the only grinder I currently have. Thanks for your help.

   Ted P

1. 
   ErnieConover | May 11, 2006 02:54pm | #3

   The JS 4 or 5 at 75 degrees is a beginners grind. I would make the sides steeper and herein lies the problem with Tormek's current jig. "You can't get there from here!" You can use this milder grind for quit a wihile to come, however.For a spindle gouge I would use a JS-3 at 35 degrees. I actually grind spindle gouges to about 25 degrees but again this is out of the Tormek's range. I will be excited to see the new jig.With best regards,
   Ernie Conover