Bowl gouge

From WikiWOOD

Bowl Gouges are used for turning when the turner desires a larger heavy amount of steel to steady the end of the gouge during the cut. Turning a bowl usually means the workpiece is mounted with the grain oriented at 90 degrees to the ways of the lathe. This is faceplate orientation. Bowl Gouges come in various flute shapes. Turners grind their gouges to several different shapes.

Measuring a Bowl Gouge

The English measure a bowl gouge from flute edge to flute edge. The US practice is to measure the width of the bar the gouge is forged or milled from. So a 1/2 inch bar would have a flute to flute measure of 3/8. Most bowl gouges have a tool length of 8 - 12 inches with a flute length of 5 - 8 inches. The handle would add another 12 - 22 inches. Flute sizes of commonly available bowl gouges run from 1/4 inch to 1 inch. Larger sizes tend to be used on larger items and larger lathes.

Design and Choices of a Bowl Gouge

A bowl gouge selection has many variables. Flute Size, Flute Shape are two of the most commonly discussed. Experienced turners will each have an opinion on what is best, and those opinions will vary. Most will advise you to select among these variables based on your personal turning style and requirements.

Additionally, the size of the gouge you'll use is a function of two things primarily. First is the size of the blank of wood you'll be working with. A large block of wood that is very irregular in shape is easier to rough shape with a larger gouge. A 5/8" gouge is often used in the early stages of turning. Many turners then complete the work with something smaller such as a 3/8" gouge which many believe to be easier to control with finesse. The second thing involves the reach of the gouge over the tool rest. The longer that reach, the stronger or heavier the gouge should be.

The different flute shapes are chosen to handle the shavings being cut from the work piece. Clogging of the flute can be a concern. Historically the U shape is a long term shape. Newer shapes resulted from the work done by Jerry Glaser, the V shape; and the parabolic shape from David Ellsworth. A review of the various offerings in bowl gouges will show that these parameters are available in many different combinations. They are also available in different steel alloys. See the article on Tool Steel for more information on differences in alloy composition.