Thread: Re: Another Thompson bulk buy?

Originally Posted by wood hacker

Can't see a label for a 1/4" detail gouge in the shots though.

Yeah, no label, he refused to have one when Doug packed him.

Even balked at having his own little plastic box to travel in from the US.

Then wouldn't line up with the other gouges for the group photo. He's the little guy off to the left striking his own pose.

Anyway I managed to wrestle him into your package and if he doesn't escape before arriving in your letter box you can sort him out...

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Originally Posted by NeilS

Anyway I managed to wrestle him into your package and if he doesn't escape before arriving in your letter box you can sort him out...

.

I can see I'm going to have to take a firm hand (and handle) to sort the ornery little bugger out

Oh well, it should finance a few more lathes and a bank of Tormeks each set up for one of your tools

More seriously, if you'd like to have a play with my 5/8 U gouge feel free. I'm in no rush. It may even fit your handle?

Originally Posted by rsser

More seriously, if you'd like to have a play with my 5/8 U gouge feel free. I'm in no rush. It may even fit your handle?

Kind offer Ern, but your gouges are already on their way to you.

I did have a P&N 3/4"U gouge until recently but wasn't getting enough use from it so sold it on the Market Place board.

I've recently purchased Crown PM-Pro 1" gouge that has a very open V that is almost U shaped. Only just getting to know it. Looks like it will be my primary roughing down gouge for any bowls larger than about 16" diam. Worth mentioning here as it is also powdered metal technology like the Thompsons, so it will be interesting to see how it compares with Doug's tools.

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No worries Neil.

I've progressively been grinding the tip more rounded on my Thompson V 5/8 gouge for roughing. And using the Crown version of Ellsworth's sig gouge for finer work on deeper bowls.

Hello Neil,

Today I have received my scraper. Now I have to make a handle for it.
Many thanks for all your efforts and hard work. It is very much appriciated.

BR Joe v K.

Tools arrived today.

Many thanks for all your efforts with this buy Neil. Much appreciated.

Tools Arrived today. Thanks for all the hard work to everyone involved. I am yet to give them a go but they certainly do look the part.

Thankyou.

Mine arrived as well. Here it is, handle and all ... can't wait to give it a try - let's go!!
Thanks once again, Neil - much appreciated.

Cheers
John

Managed to extricate my Thompson 3/4"V gouge (from an earlier purchase) from the Jarrah handle I made for it at the time. Boy, that 5 minute epoxy was never going to let that gouge go under normal use! I found the Jarrah handle was just too handle heavy for the 3/4" gouge. I like a 22-24" long handle for my larger gouges and that length of Jarrah was just too tail heavy. So decided to try the purpose made Thompson 3/4" Lathe Master Handle with this bulk buy. Never had a metal handle before.

Inserting the shaft into the handle proved to be a perfect sliding fit (of course) and the Vicmarc VM120 T-bar was a match for the two hex grub screws that secure the shaft. Nice to have one less hex key to have to find.

For me the ratio of blade to handle length is just right on this Thompson handle, i.e. the handle is about twice the length of the blade when the blade is new. In comparison, the Crown 1" Pro-PM gouge shown here with the Thompson handle is just too short and also too fat for my hands. Early impressions of the eight sided handle are positive and the 'diameter' also works for me.

Attachment 153904

The Thompson handles come preloaded with lead shot. I progressively unloaded the handle until it was empty which was then just about perfect balance for me i.e the fulcrum was close the ferrule.

However, may have to pre-heat it in winter with some hot water in the lead shot compartment...

Sorry Ern, I think I'm going to like this handle.

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Tools arrived yesterday thank you to all involved.

Bazza

However, may have to pre-heat it in winter with some hot water in the lead shot compartment...

You could consider some sort of wrap ie the tennis racket stuff etc. It should be thin enough to not effect the propriety shape of the handle

4* RSL Badminton Squash Tennis Racquet Grip Tape-SO10 (eBay item 190462496435 end time 29-Nov-10 22:12:41 AEDST) : Sport

That handle will be slippery with sweat in the summer heat and grip tape will hold particles and irritate your palms ;-}

Parcel arrived today. Thanks again to Neil and Nick.
Jim