What to do with...

[Dave Roller]

I'm fast approching the end of the useful life of my first 1/2" bowl gouge. What should I try to do with the remaining steel. I considered grinding it into a 1/2" round skew, but the 3/8" skew I have has worked well with everything I've tried. Of course, I haven't tried bedposts!

How much steel is hidden in the tool handle?

Any suggestions from you long time turners?

Thanks.

 

[Dave Peebles]

Hi Dave,

I think it depends on who made the tool. Most have between 2 and 3 inches buried in the handle. But I have read that some are not hardened all the way. I don't know if this is true or not... but I read it on the internet so it must be

Dave

 

[Joe Greiner]

Hi Dave,

I think it depends on who made the tool. Most have between 2 and 3 inches buried in the handle. But I have read that some are not hardened all the way. I don't know if this is true or not... but I read it on the internet so it must be

Dave

Of course it is: http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=86290 (#6)

 

[hockenbery]

Give it to a new turner.

the shorties work nicely on the mini lathes.

Happy turning

Al

 

[MichaelMouse]

Don't know if it's true or not, but it would make sense to leave the opposite end unhardened. Little more likely to survive a big honkin' catch, I would assume. Bend rather than break. Induction harden rather than oven, maybe.

I'm down a couple inches on the flute of the big Sorby "bowl" gouge after twenty plus years, but he's got a couple left. Owes me nothing for all the faithful service.

 

[john lucas]

I took my gouge that was getting short and ground the nose to 80 degrees. It is now only to turn the bottoms of steep sided bowls. It's lasted another 5 years since I dedicated it to this and will probably last a lot longer.

 

[john lucas]

I forgot to say I do have to sharpen this one by hand to get the shape that I use but it is still lasting a long time.

 

[LHauch]

You can grind it down to a pyramid point tool. These are typically used with the tool rest very close to the wood, so they don't need to be very long. So, you get a 'new' tool from an old one.

Cheers,

 

[Richard Baker]

Guess it could become a really short "skewchigouge". Note the thread on solid gouges.