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Thmpson BOB vs. U flute

Dean Center

Dean Center

Joined
May 4, 2010
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I haven't been able to answer my question at the logical source, so I'm going to ask the Oracles of the AAW. What's the difference between Doug Thompson's U flute bowl gouge and his Bottom of the Bowl gouge, in the same size?

Thanks.
 
I don't think there is a big difference in the 2 tools, except for the initial sharpening. I just bought his BOB, not sure if I have the 3/4" U to send pics.

But I always like going to the source on these technical questions. Doug is very helpful.
 
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I have both but I agree there is not much difference (could be a little thickness difference). It is more the way it is sharpened. I took a 3/8" Thompson U and ground it about 12° off 90° and it works so well for me. It is only ever used when a piece of wood at the transition area of a bowl where it tears out will not cut cleanly with the bowl gouge.
 
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The bob has much more material removed, and the sides/wings are ground down. These are both 5/8.

Personally I think the bob is flimsy with this flute length. I'd recommend a 3/4 where you would otherwise use a 5/8, like normal 4 to 7 inch bowl depth.

Doug really needs to take some pictures for his site!
 
I can't remember.... I have a number of BOB tools, and I am pretty sure one is Doug's U flute or BOB flute. One thing in common with all variations is that they all have a ) shape nose, and are ground at the 70 degree mark on my platform, which is actually 65 degrees. My go to tools are the fluteless gouge from Doug for very thin stock removals, or a spindle detail gouge which is ground the way I want it, and I use them if I am taking heavier cuts. I also have one old half round flute from my first set of tools, which were the Artisan set from Craft Supplies. The advantage of the spindle detail gouges and the fluteless gouge is that you can roll them on their sides to a 60+ degree angle for a very high shear angle cut, and generally, the higher the shear angle is, the more cleanly it cuts. Any more "rounded" flute shape works well for this. I have not tried a V flute shape for this. I would think the parabolic flutes would work well, but haven't done that either.

robo hippy
 
Aaron Sluis said:
View attachment 79934View attachment 79935

The bob has much more material removed, and the sides/wings are ground down. These are both 5/8.
Personally I think the bob is flimsy with this flute length. I'd recommend a 3/4 where you would otherwise use a 5/8, like normal 4 to 7 inch bowl depth.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the photos Aaron. Is that gouge in the bolster a Doug Thompson sold tool, or one made from his steel and sold by someone else? (maybe Stuart Batty)
 
Aaron, come on the BOB is not made for roughing it is made to cut through the transition of the side and bottom of the bowl when no other tool will remove the tear out. I'd really like to see you bend one. To the best of my knowledge Doug does not sell bolsters and that one looks like a Batty bolster.
 
Bill Blasic said:
Aaron, come on the BOB is not made for roughing it is made to cut through the transition of the side and bottom of the bowl when no other tool will remove the tear out. I'd really like to see you bend one. To the best of my knowledge Doug does not sell bolsters and that one looks like a Batty bolster.
Click to expand...
I did a little checking and Stuart's BOB is 15V and clearly different than what Aaron's got.
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