Thread: Miniature spindle gouge

Tiger where's the photos of said tools
What steel where you using or was it also just a nail?

I use HSS from McJings to make the tiny bowl gouge. OR you can use and old phillips screwdriver. When grinding keep the tool cool you may have to heat treat it again.

Hi Wheelin,

Don't know if the tools are worth even taking photos of. They are masonry nails stuck into bits of redgum and then shaped into various profiles.

Regarding the old phillips screwdriver, I wonder how well it holds its edge?

Tiger no excuses

The phillips works well we use one with the micro lathe at OTGA demos, after all it is tool steel and tools steel can be heat treated to take it to better quality.

Or the other one is an old Tap (threading type) grove is already ground.

HSS drill bits in differing diameters, and a Dremel tool with various milling and grinding bits to shape it. Maintains an edge just like any other HSS chisel.

Hi Tiger,
As sjm said, get the drill you want & drill into the steel that's going to hold the drill & leave it there. Silver Solder it in, Sharpen it finger nail style, then turn it over & Sharpen a longish Flat on it at 30Deg. ? & you have a small Skewchigouge.
It has been written up in " Woodturning " No. 60, I think.
They work really well, as I have used them for quite a few years now, in various sizes.
You don't really need the hollow up the centre.
When Sharpening, don't hit the Wheel to hard & you wont have to reheat the end.

Thanks SJM and Issatree, I did read somewhere that with drill bits the shank is not heat treated and that only the other end was.

SJM, I have a Dremel and I have some bits and pieces, just need to check that they will do the job on HSS.

I bought an unhandled miniature gouge from McJing's ! Works better and quicker than fluffing about trying to save money. You still get to make your own handle!

Hi Tea Lady, did you buy the gouge over the Internet or at Woodworking show?

The simplest way I know is, to choose your rod or gouge diameter thats required. Then drill a hole dead centre as deep as you require, now you have a blind hole or a short tube in the end of your shaft.

Now the diameter of the hole you drill is up to you, but you should be aiming at least a 1-1.5mm wall thickness as a minimum. I prefer 2mm and up to 3mm for the slightly larger ones

File the top off the tube till you have your gouge. Harden and temper, gently grind your favourite grind and away you go.

Probably the best steel available to you is silver steel which is readily available and is heat treated by quenching in water etc.

In the USA its called drill rod steel pretty much the same stuff. If you want any further info on how to heat treat the silver steel I can post it here.

Originally Posted by Tiger

Hi Tea Lady, did you buy the gouge over the Internet or at Woodworking show?

I bought it at the WW Show But they are on line too aren't they?

From my wish list

You can also try one of the Sorby mini-chisels - great steel - for under $40, available from Jim Carroll's:

CWS Store - Robert Sorby Mini Tools | Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies

You can get HSS blank steel of various widths and length at berwick market, Up the back in front of the tin shed, Opposite the remote car tent. Things like 1/4 inch sq and 7 inch long for 5 bucks. 1/8 inch sq, 1/8 by 1/4 etc I've used then and they seem ok. Seeing your in eastern suburbs, worth a sunday market trip. have a coffee and a scone while your there.

I have quite a few from concrete nails, but for the skew and gouges I used McJing's, see here. Hold an edge pretty well.