Are you feeling dazed and confused by the ever-increasing number of cutting tool brands? And what about choosing a gouge, or a skew?
Bowl gouge, spindle gouge, detail gouge, roughing gouge, double-ended bowl gouge — what does it all mean? With new tools rapidly appearing in catalogs and on store shelves, it's easy to get confused. Here is some information to help you decide which tools to purchase: either for getting started or for advancing in your turning craft.
Although you really only need a few basic tools to get the job done, we all have extras. They're fun to experiment with and brag about, and they often come in handy for creating that occasional odd object. Turning tools today are higher quality and better designed than their carbon steel predecessors. Most are made from M2 high-speed steel (HSS). HSS holds an edge longer than carbon steel. While sharpening takes slightly longer, it's well worth the effort.
Tools for Turning Bowls
For bowl turning, buy tools in a size compatible with the bowl blanks you have. A 3/8" bowl gouge is appropriate for small bowls, while you would need 1/2" or larger for bigger bowls. For miniature turning, use a set of miniature gouges, smaller than 3/8". Larger gouges provide more stability than smaller gouges. If you are attacking a large bowl blank with a 3/8" gouge, it will take longer and the tool will flex as it hangs off the toolrest, decreasing your ability to achieve a good cut.
If you want to turn bowls, you will need a bowl gouge or two. If you're not sure of which size to buy, I recommend buying three: a 3/8", a 1/2 " and a 5/8". You will be able to use these for many years. If you are buying only one size, select a 1/2 " gouge. Be sure to buy bowl gouges, not spindle gouges. Bowl gouges have a deeper flute than do spindle gouges. This makes them easier to control when turning a bowl, especially its inside.
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| Even in a small segment of lathe cutting tools, like 3/8" bowl gouges, selection can be daunting. As the closeups above demonstrate, there are differences in cutter shape and grind even in one category. |
Additionally, you may need a round nose scraper (3/4" or 1" size are good for starters). Round nose scrapers are used to clean up curves on the inside of a bowl. They are not essential, but can be quite helpful once you learn how to master shear scraping. Make sure your scraper is significantly thick. Thin scrapers flex too much, which results in poorer cutting.
If you use a chuck or auxiliary block (glue block)to mount your bowl blank, a parting tool is helpful. I use mine to cut the auxiliary block to a smaller diameter just before removing the finished bowl from the glue block. A parting tool can also be used to cut the recess for mounting a bowl blank to a chuck. I recommend a diamond shaped parting tool — it provides clearance for deep cuts.
Brand Names
There are at least a dozen or more. I view this similarly to automobiles: some folks prefer and can afford a Lexus, some swear by a Toyota or Honda, and many get where they are going in style and safely with a Pontiac, Chevrolet or Ford. Shop around and try out several brands. My assortment of tools includes a variety such as Sorby, Henry Taylor, Crown and P and N. I even have a few old Sears spindle tools. Other brand names are Hamlet, Glaser, Packard, Artisan and Mastercut, etc. No doubt you will prefer one particular brand over another, but before you discover which one, you will end up buying several. Not to worry, it's all good fun!
Turning Spindles
For spindle turning, you'll need a roughing gouge, a spindle gouge or two, a skew chisel and a parting tool. A roughing gouge is large and heavy and has a short bevel. It's used for taking square stock down to round. Its heft and size make this process quicker, easier and safer than using smaller gouges. Start with a 3/4" size.
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| It's important to choose a properly sized cutting tool for the bowl dimension. In this case the author turns a 6" bowl with a 3/8" bowl gouge. (Pictured is a Henry Taylor brand gouge.) |
Spindle gouges have a shallower flute than that of a bowl gouge. This gives the tool more stability when the bevel is ground back. Generally, the bevel of a spindle gouge is ground at a steeper angle than for a bowl gouge. Start with a 1/2" size, but once again this depends on the size of your turning. If you are making bedposts, try a 5/8" or larger spindle gouge. You may want to have a detail gouge. Some spindle turners use this type of gouge exclusively. Sharpened almost to a point and with a long bevel, it can perform as well as or better than a skew chisel for making beads and tapers.
Skew chisels: some turners swear by them, some turners swear at them! While it's entirely possible to have a happy turning existence without ever using one, I guarantee you'll impress your turning buddies once you've mastered its use! Just remember, take a light cut: "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Skew chisels come as square-edged, oval profile, round or flat with rounded top and/or bottom. Square-edged skews have been around forever. Mine are square-edge, and because that's what I started with, that's what I like. Oval skews are not as successfully mastered as flat stock skews that have a rounded top and bottom. Round skews are a relatively new item. I have one, given to me by a friend. I keep thinking I ought to try it, just in case he asks me how I like it. For your initial skew purchase, start with a 1/2" or 3/4" size in flat stock with a rounded or rolled top and bottom.
Parting tools are used for establishing the diameter of different sections of a turning and for parting off waste. They can also be used to cut small flat areas. As suggested earlier, buy a diamond-shaped parting tool. If you are making boxes, I highly recommend you acquire a thin kerf parting tool. Tools can be purchased with or without handles. Handles can be long, short or standard length. If you are just learning to turn, I suggest that you buy standard length, handled tools. A second option is to purchase a few unhandled gouges and a Hosaluk style handle which is interchangeable with almost any size gouge.
Two more categories of turning tools are hollowing and coring tools. Hollowing tools are small-ended scrapers designed specifically for making hollow vessels. Coring tools make it possible to produce several bowls from one turning blank. Both hollowing and coring tools are sold as "systems." I suggest trying a friend's system before purchasing one for yourself.
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| The author's eclectic arsenal of turning tools displays a wide variety of brands, styles and even quality. As in most crafts, selecting and collecting tools can be an enjoyable process in itself. |
The acquisition of new tools and equipment is a wonderful adventure! If you can afford to, buy one of everything, then enjoy the experience of trying gouges and chisels as they're acquired. Or perhaps you prefer the process itself: researching catalogs, attending demonstration, and talking with other turners before purchasing. Either way, have fun!