Hamlet M42 Stay Sharp gouges

[Woodturnerjosh]

Hi everyone,
I recently purchased some of the new Hamlet M42 Stay Sharp gouges and thought I would share my observations, both positive and negative.
The three I purchased are the 1/2" spindle gouge, 1/2" (5/8" bar) Masterflute bowl gouge and the 3/8" (1/2" bar) Masterflute bowl gouge.

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All of the tools I purchased had beautifully finished flutes requiring very little (if any) polishing which was a very welcome contrast to the Vicmarc or Thompson particle steel tools I have in my collection.

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1/2" Spindle Gouge
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Pictured on the right in the photo with a P&N 12mm spindle gouge (left) for comparison. The flute of this gouge is slightly shallower than the spindle gouges I'm used to but deeper than a detail gouge.


1/2" (5/8" bar) Bowl Gouge
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Pictured to the right of a 16mm Vicmarc gouge. I've tried to take a photo showing the flute geometry (I'm a big fan of parabolic/elliptical flutes) and this one has a slightly tighter "V" in the bottom than the vicmarc. This is one very solid tool that I'm looking forward to testing out this weekend!

3/8" (1/2" bar) Bowl gouge
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Seen to the right of my original Henry Taylor Superflute 3/8" bowl gouge and this is where my negative observations kick in. It's probably clear from the photo how thin this gouge is in relation to the Superflute (and to my 13mm Vicmarc gouge - not pictured) and both the thickest point of the gouge, from the bottom of the flute to the outside of the bar and the "height" from the flat-top of the flute to the bottom of the bar are 1mm thinner than my Superflute or vicmarc gouges. 1mm might not seem like much but it makes a massive difference to the rigidity of the tool.
A bowl gouge this diameter I would normally happily use with up to 75mm tool rest over hang and possibly further for light finishing cuts but this new M42 one starts to flex very noticeable at 50mm. I've contacted both the manufacturer and the store I purchased it from to find out if this is as it should be or if I received an overground/faulty item and I'm yet to hear back from either (I doubt I will hear back from Hamlet but you never know lol).
I would definitely not recommend this 3/8" Masterflute bowl gouge unless you only want to use it for finishing cuts close to the tool rest.

On a happier note I think this steel is fantastic! It takes a very fine edge straight off my 180g CBN wheel and seems to hold it noticeably longer than M2 gouges and I'm looking forward to seeing how it deals with some of our more abrasive timbers. I'm not sure how it will compare to the particle steels (CPM-10V, etc) but I know it will have a permanent place in my collection!...well, maybe not the 3/8" bowl gouge...;)

If I hear back from store or manufacturer regarding the 3/8" bowl gouge I will update this post!

Anyway, it's still early days yet but I just thought I would share my initial observations.

Cheers

Josh

p.s. sorry if the photos aren't up to scratch, taking pictures of shiny things is harder than I remember... :D

[Willy Nelson]

Hello Josh
Good Post.
I liked the sincerity and good and bad points. I wouldn't have thought 1mm would make that much difference. I have a tool which I made to accept a TCT cutter which flexes , but that was poor design and material choice on my behalf.
In summary, good write up
Thanks
Willy

[Woodturnerjosh]

Thanks Willy,
That was the tool that really prompted me to do this thread. I'm really happy with the steel and the quality of the finish but that 3/8" bowl gouge was the reason I purchased these and I've never had one flex so obviously on me before, I thought I should just let everyone know as they are not a particularly cheap tool ;)
Thanks again

Josh

[NeilS]

I recently purchased some of the new Hamlet M42 Stay Sharp gouges and thought I would share my observations, both positive and negative.


Excellent start to your review, Josh.

Looking forward to reading your analysis after you have given the Hamlet M42s a work out along side of your other makes of gouges.

[Pat]

Josh, I saw these advertised and wondered how they compare to the P&N's HT's and Thommo's in my arsenal. I'll await your more detailed findings, particularly edge retention in the more abrasive timbers, yes Blackwood, I am looking at you, Silica destroys edges in seconds.

[Paul39]

. sorry if the photos aren't up to scratch, taking pictures of shiny things is harder than I remember... http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/standard/biggrin.gif http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/misc/paperclip.png

Photographing shiny things is photographing a mirror. Take them outside on an overcast day, or inside a light colored room with the light bounced off the ceiling.

I'm a retired commercial / advertising photographer. Shiny things are one of the most difficult subjects.

[Woodturnerjosh]

*** Update***

Regarding my observations of the flute shape of the 1/2" bar bowl gouge.

David at Timberbits checked his stock after I asked if mine was the actual profile and upon finding his exactly the same he forwarded my message to Hamlet. Their response was that the dimensions of mine are as they should be and while they realise that this profile is not as strong as the original superflute, they don't believe this compromises the quality of tool.

I haven't put this steel through it's paces yet but I'm happy with the edge and finish I'm getting so far, I'll just have to start switching to a larger gouge earlier than I normally would.

I've been working on a large piece for the Double Take in Wood exhibition but hope to get back to some regular turning this weekend and with a small pile of roughed out Blackwood bowls ready for finishing I hope to have a good play with these tools!

Cheers

Josh