Thread: Tormek T7 and roughing gouge

Ted, are you using SVS-50 "Universal" jig?

Yes, I'm using the SVS-50 jig

How big is this gouge? In mm, how wide is it from corner to corner?
There should be a code stamped into the handle: sweep and width, like 7/12 or 9/15 as examples.
Gouges should have the same bevel angle right across the sweep from corner to corner.
If you bought the set new, chances are that it's a manufacturing defect.

All the top line wood carving gouges have total included factory bevel angles of 20 degrees.
Some carvers will argue for higher angles for harder woods and more mallet work.
In 15+ years, I have found 20 to be adequate for everything. I've bought Narex skews
which were 25 degrees, just too big an angle to push wood open so I scrubbed them back to 20.
Such good steel that I bought a second pair about a week later.

Ah. Wood turning tools. Just had a look into the Hamlet website. They look quite respectable!
Apologies, I thought you had some wood carving tools.

I used to maintain Sorby turning tools for a friend (owner #2).
The bevel angles were all over the map. Owner #1 had done a really poor job with a grinder.
I have a small tool for measuring bevel angles, orioginally for drill bit tip angles.
Works wonderfully well for my needs, drill bits included.
The biggest roughing gouge was 60 degrees. Given the service, that seemed reasonable.

Anyway, not knowing any better, I did the roughing gouge at 60 from corner to corner.
Seems to me that you will only ever cut with maybe the middle half.

Originally Posted by TongueTied

... So, I pulled out my Hamlet Roughing Gouge which is part of their 5 piece set so I don't think it is a really high end roughing gouge. Anyway, I set it up as per the video, using the bevel in the middle of the gouge to set the angles, etc. When I started sharpening, I found the bevel was very different as you move across the gouge from one side to the other. Has anyone else found this? Is it the initial grind on the gouge is odd or something I am doing wrong?

Yes slight variations in sharpening angle profile associated with tool steel thickness due to how the tool is forged from flat stock. You can learn to favour the grinding angles.

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Ah. Wood turning tools. .... Seems to me that you will only ever cut with maybe the middle half.

I use the whole length of the cutting edge including the corners. A Spindle Roughing Gouge (SRG) is a very versatile tool on spindle work - once you learn to master using all of the tool. It has virtually two bedans thrown in for free