A question for Bill Grumbine, Or everyone else that knows more than I do!

[Jim Davenport]

I just got Bill's Tape. It's great, I haven't watched the whole thing yet. Two hours is longer that my attention span!
So far I've really learned a lot on using the bowl gouge. I'm managing to turn another cherry bowl, with "no catches" I'm down to sanding it now. I haven't got turning it over to do the bottom yet, I've still got to watch that section of the video.
My question is;
In the video Bill says he grinds his scrapers to 30 degrees. My new bowl scraper has an edge angle of 70 gegrees. Would I do better with an edge angle of 30 degrees on a "bowl scraper?
Thanks.

[Cecil Arnold]

Jim, it sounds to me like you already have 20 degrees (90-20=70). You might want to try to slip up on a 30* angle, or even consider an undercut like you find on some of the Raffin scrapers.

[Jim Becker]

The actual angle of the scraper isn't horribly important--not like with a gouge. I have no idea about what my scrapers "actually" are with regard to grind angle. They are probably at around 70 degrees or so from the top surface. You don't want it too shallow as it will present a weak edge/burr. You can safely "play with the angle" to find what works best for you.

I don't use scrapers all that much, but they are handy to have for a variety of situations!

[Bernie Weishapl]

I talked with several on this such as Russ Fairfield, Bill G., and my scraper is set at 80 degrees. Most have told me that 70 to 80 degrees is best for a bowl scraper.

[Ed Breen]

Hey Y'all,
Awhile back I picked up a tool in the woodcraft bargain bin. It was from crown, and I think it said it was a cocKtail shaper??? It was very cheap and I couldn't walk away. What I'd like to do with it is grind it into a scraper. it measures about 1 1/2 " and looks a bit like a pointed spade with bevels on each side so you can use either right side or left.
Do I just march over to the grinder and grind off the two sides to flatten them or what. Ifg needed I can take a picture tonight and post it tomorrow.
Ed

[Dennis Peacock]

Just grind away. It's your tool..!!!

My scrapers are ground back about 10º and I like the way my scrapers work at that angle.

You can use a lot of tool steel for a scraper. For a bowl scraper, it needs to be at least 1/4" thick and even better is 3/8" thick and for width? Needs to be about 1", but 1/2" will work well for those final little "nips" inside a bowl.

[Jim Davenport]

According to "Angle master" guage that came with my Tormek, The angle on my Bowl scraper is 70 degrees. It seems to cut pretty good if It's sharp. I guess I won't mess with a good thing
Thanks everyone for the replies.
I love the Creek!!

[Ed Breen]

Great, this tool is about 1 1/2 wide at least and over 1/4' thick. I believe "I'll just grind away the evening!"
Ed