I had a good session at the lathe today with my bottom-of-the-bowl gouge (perhaps better called a through-the-transition gouge, but not as alliterative). There are two things I think contributed to an improved experience from the one mentioned earlier in the "Fine cuts..." thread. I think I've had an inclination to swing the gouge, but when I use more of a push-in-the-right-direction mode, it really helps and I've been able to take off thin shavings. Also, having a smaller lathe (Comet 2) that's at the right height really helps everything. I can get one foot just past the tailstock end, and my arms are relaxed, as opposed to having to practically climb on the shelf of the Jet 1236 and shrug my shoulders to hold the gouge in the right place.
Oh, yeah, a question: taking a poll -- what angle is your BOTB gouge ground at (if you have one)?
Oh, yeah, a question: taking a poll -- what angle is your BOTB gouge ground at (if you have one)?