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If you could only have

What do you intend to turn? Maybe ¼" for finials and ½" for chair and table legs.

A detail gouge is just a beefier spindle gouge. The shape of the grind is probably more important than anything else. I put long pointy profiles on my spindle gouges, but that isn't necessarily the best grind ... it's just what I like for what I do.
 
3/8 is the one I use most. ( a 1/2 is second)
With a 3/8 spindle gouge and a 1/2 bowl gouge I can turn any outside shape.

I turn all my tenons with a 3/8 spindle gouge
Useful for details such as small beads on bowls ( I prefer a 1/2” spindle gouge for bowl beads)

It is a good size for drilling
It is even useful on spindles
 
I agree with Al. Short of my bowl gouge my 3/8" thompson detail gouge is my second most used tool. Lately I've been doing a lot of turning with my 1/2" spindle gouge but it is for wine stoppers and Christmas ornaments that have longer curves. The 3/8" is far better for smaller details like beads on bowls and spindles. I can turn really really small things with large tools but it's challenging. I do it just to show that you don't need a lot of tools to get work done.
 
My favorite by far would be my Cindy Drozda Signature 3/8" Finial Gouge. I finish all my tenons with it as well. I also struggle a great deal with some of the finer details and this gouge can be a life saver for me.
 
3/8 for me, more challenging on big long curves but doable. I taper mine in a little and sweep the wings, sort of like Drozda does her just not to that extreme. For that gouge, I do have one like she shapes hers. I like the 1/2 where it fits but the most versatile I think is the 3/8
 
I grind my detail and spindle gouge in the Wolverine jig using exactly the same setting as my Bowl gouge except I put a block approx 1 inch long in the V tray to move the spindle gouge forward. this gives me a much more acute cutting edge and has wings which I use when rolling beads.
 
john lucas said:
I grind my detail and spindle gouge in the Wolverine jig using exactly the same setting as my Bowl gouge except I put a block approx 1 inch long in the V tray to move the spindle gouge forward. this gives me a much more acute cutting edge and has wings which I use when rolling beads.
Click to expand...
I've been told you have a very good assessment of tools.
I have a choice of Thompson, crown, or oneway. What would your top three spindle gouge makers be? Thks.
 
Al, that scraper is my favorite nose profile fir an inside shear scraper. Only difference is that I hone off the old burr before I put another one on. Light burnished burr is preferred for shear scraping.

robo hippy
 
Glen Thompson tools are my favorite. I haven't used any of the D-way or Carter tools and they sure get a lot of good press.
 
I haven't used a Oneway, but have and use the other two. IMHO, either the Crown or the Thompson would be an excellent all around spindle gouge.
 
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