I have never been much of a turner, but want to get better. I’m making a cherry bed for my daughter, with turned legs, including a square section for the end and side rail to attach to.
I have a set of 4 1980s vintage Craftsman HSS tools. The spindle gouge is made of bar, not rod stock. The other 3 tools are fine, I’ve sharpened them and they do as they should. The spindle gouge seems to be problematic in my inexperienced hands.
Seems like the sharper I get that gouge, the easier it grabs and skitters out of control, while at the same time, making lovely long and graceful shavings. At this point, I’m thinking I should make the sharpening jig shown in the lathe book. Leonard Lee says it’s difficult to grind it free hand. Based on my efforts so far, I think he’s right.
What do you think – is there a good way to sharpen the spindle gouge that might help? Should I simply buy a new 1/2″ spindle gouge – if so which one? the three I’m considering are the Penn State cheapie, the Henry Taylor or the Crown PM.
Any thoughts I’m where I’m going wrong, and how to do this better?
Thanks.
Replies
WOW This would be very diffacult to give gouge lessons over the internet.
Yes you are most likly not useing the tool right, however you can go to your local library and get a vidio tape that teaches you the proper way to hold and use a gouge. With practise you will find it the most valued tool in your possition.
Practise practise practise and good turning
John
Make sure you're rubbing the bevel, angle the tool handle down and back so the sharp end is pointing in the direction you want to cut and roll the top of the tool (hollow side) over a bit to the direction you are travelling.The bevel part is important! Then start to experiment a bit with small changes in angle etc.
Hope I'm not being too basic.
Lumpy
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