Need recommendations for new tools.

[Richard Demler]

Hello,I'm looking for new tool help..I've been using sorby tools that I've had for 25 years and they work great..I don't have a low speed grinder so my bowl gouge is going away faster than it should I guess..I have not been turning for 25 years so the tools sat for a long time..I have been turning for the last 2 years..I really like making bowls so I'm considering a Thompson 1/2 in bowl gouge.Does it make sense to buy a bigger one also for roughing bowls?? I also want to buy a round nose scraper for finishing the inside of bowls but I didn't see one in the Thompson line..Any suggestions on the best all around size for a scraper and brand..??Also can someone recommend a low speed grinder and wheel for sharpening??THANK YOU for your time..

[Brian Kent]

I highly recommend the Thompson 1/2" V bowl gouge - my main bowl gouge. I will be calling him soon to replace it and, like you, wonder if a 5/8" would make a good companion.

The scrapers are un sharpened. I was looking just now and thought I remembered that he would put the grind you want on it. Doug is really good communicating and making good personal recommendations over the telephone.

[Doug W Swanson]

Call Doug and get his advice. He's a super nice guy and is always willing to help.

If it were me, I would but both 1/2" and 5/8" bowl gouges. Use the 5/8" for bigger bowls and the 1/2" for smaller stuff. I believe Doug sells the square scrapers but will grind them for you (or it's easy to do yourself).

I have the slow speed grinder from Woodcraft and it works great. The stock wheels are ok but I would upgrade one of them to a CBN wheel when you can afford it.

[John K Jordan]

Richard,

If just turning bowls I would eventually want the 3/8" and 1/2" Thompson gouges. I also have a 5/8" but I think it is bigger than needed.

As mentioned, just grind the scrapers the way you want them. I keep some of Doug's flat scrapers and grind one to a new shape as needed. A few months ago I ground two of his scrapers and one of his skew chisels into these 3/4" and 1" negative-rake scrapers:

scrapers_neg_rake.jpg

BTW, I far prefer a grind like this for smoothing tool marks from the inside of a bowl. (Don't tell anyone, but I don't even put handles on them since the touch needed is light and they don't catch.) The one ground from a skew chisel is a little thinner but it still works fine. After using one of these, the only sandpaper needed inside a bowl is often 400 grit.

FWIW, I also use hand scrapers a lot, especially for the inside center of bowls and platters. For me this is gives a better surface with less effort.

scrapers_.jpg

As for grinders, you want cheap or quality? I have a Metabo in my little weld shop but they are expensive. My favorite for cheap is the no-name 3/4hp 1/2 speed grinder that Woodcraft used to sell but I don't know where to get these now. The Rikons they sell now are not nearly as good quality but they work OK. The 1/2hp Rikon is a little under-powered for two steel CBN wheels (I'm told) but works OK with aluminum CBN wheels (my experience). I buy from Ken Rizza, Woodturners Wonders. The bigger Rikon sounds better but I haven't bought one yet.

BTW, these cheap grinders are mostly crap with the cheap wheels they come with. Both the one I bought and on we bought for a school had horrible vibration. Replacing the junk wheels with good wheels should help a lot but far better, if the budget allows, is a CBN wheel or two - always balanced, amazing grind. I use them from 80 to 600 grit on the small Rikon and the larger no-name. Look up Reed Grey CBN wheel for his article for a good introduction.

Do yourself a big favor and buy or build a jig to sharpen gouges - by getting a repeatable cut you take off only a tiny amount of metal each time. The Wolverine support with the Varigrind jig is perfect but you can make a jig for almost nothing. If you get the Varigrind, I recommend staying away from the newer Varigrind 2 model - I can't stand to use it.

JKJ

[Bill Blasic]

My go to tool is the Thompson 5/8 V. When Doug was just starting out making his tools he did a demo at my club, a Cowboy Hat demo. He started with a 75lb blank and with only two tools (a 1/2" V and a 3/8" V) he ended up with a 9 ounce hat in under two hours. If my memory serves me he only sharpened the 3/8 V once towards the end. You will not find a better person to help with your decision, give him a call. As far as a grinder it totally depends on your pocket book, if it is shallow try the small Rikon. This grinder surprised me out of the box as to how smooth it ran, I can't guarantee that they are all like that. I now have two CBN wheels on that grinder and even though it takes a little more time to wind up to full speed it does the job. If your pockets are deep there are many superior grinders out there. A jig as mentioned above is good idea and the mentioned Wolverine is a good choice but I would also suggest looking at the Vector Fixture by Hannes Tools, two very good systems.

[John Keeton]

My personal choices are ALWAYS Thompson and D-Way. I had a 5/8", but it is a bit too large for my taste. My go to gouges are a D-Way 1/2", a Thompson 3/8" V, a Thompson 1/2" V, and a Thompson 1/2" U bottom feeder - in that order. I also love Dave's (D-Way) other tools - the thin parting tool, the diamond and beading tools and his 3/8" spindle gouge. I couldn't do the work I do without Doug's 3/8" and 1/4" detail gouges and the negative rake scraper he ground for me.

[Al Wasser]

Seems almost everyone like the V gouges. Well, I find them one step above useless. Suggest you find some one who has both the V and U and give them a try before buying

[Prashun Patel]

I have the Thompson U 5/8" and Thompson V 1/2". I prefer the V 1/2". I mainly turn bowls in the 8-12" range, so the 1/2" has become my go-to. The 5/8" is great for bringing rough blanks into round, but my 1/2" gives more control with plenty of efficiency for everything else. I can't tell the difference between my U and V flute.

You can make a round nosed scraper out of any of Thompson's flat scrapers on your grinder.

[Richard Demler]

Thank you to everyone for the tips..I will be calling Doug soon..I will also be looking around at the grinders..Nice to have a place to go to get experienced advice,saves lots of money in the long run..Thank you all again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reed Gray]

I prefer the D Way and Thompson tools, and Lyle Jamieson sells a parabolic fluted gouge that is made by Doug. Good tools all. I think I use the U and Lyle's the most, but do switch around.

For a grinder, if you are on a budget, then the Rikon 1 hp grinder is a good deal with plenty of power. If you aren't on a budget, I prefer the Baldor Grinders, built like tanks, but it is a bit difficult to get the Wolverine platform under the wheel housing. I think Joshua just had a thread up on which grinder to choose.

For wheels, CBN wheels for sure. You can go to D Way, or Ken Rizza of Woodturning Wonders. The difference between the two is Ken's are on an aluminum hub, and Daves are on a steel hub and a bit more expensive. 180 grit if you are buying one. If you are buying 2, then either an 80 grit, or a finer grit than the 180, 320, or maybe 600 which is more for finish cuts.

robo hippy

[Kyle Iwamoto]

What size lathe do you have? If you have a "big" lathe, then getting a bowl gouge that is 5/8 or bigger can be helpful. Personally, my big gouge is a 3/4" sorby, which is actually almost an inch in diameter. I find it very useful IF I have to hog off lots of wood, and it is my rougher on the outside. Probably NOT a worthy investment, but I picked it up dirt cheap on the bay bidding site.

I also agree, see if you can find a nearby club to see if you can try the the V and U gouges. As mentioned, the V's are not for everyone. I prefer the U gouges, given a choice.

[Richard Demler]

I became the owner of a grizzly 0766 early this summer,and I do want to make bigger bowls.I'm attaching a pic of a bowl that I finished last week.It's 18X8 and 3/4 in thick walls and weighs in at 14 1/2 lbs. I realize it pretty bulky but for a first big bowl that stayed together I'm happy with it..

[Brian Kent]

Richard, that is a wonderful monster bowl!

[Richard Demler]

Thank you!

[Roger Chandler]

18 X 8 is pretty big! Nice! That G0766 handled it well, right? How much do you estimate as the full weight of the wood blank you started off with?