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Bowl Gouges Flutes: "U" vs. "V" shape

D

devonpalmer

Joined
Sep 24, 2004
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Location
Columbus, Ohio
Website
www.devonpalmer.com
Greetings all,

Recently I've been tweaking the grinds on my bowl gouges and was wondering:

What are the advantages/disadvantages of "V" shaped flutes, and "U" shaped flutes. Is there a grind thats better suited for each one to facilitate its use?

Devon Palmer, Columbus Ohio
 
Devon,

As I understand it, the "v" makes for a bit more rigid tool because it leaves more steel in the side walls. The "u" does a better job of clearing shavings when cutting with the wings because the "v" point will tend to clog as shavings "pile up" at the bottom of the flute. I have a Glaser b/a 3/4" gouge ("v") and several Ellsworth 1/2" gouges ("u"). I actually use David's grind on the Glaser. They each work well, although the Glaser is heavy for doing any kind of detail work.

M
 
Mark Mandell said:
As I understand it ... The "u" does a better job of clearing shavings when cutting with the wings because the "v" point will tend to clog as shavings "pile up" at the bottom of the flute.
Click to expand...

Interesting. My experience has been different. I prefer the open V shape because it blows the shavings out a lot easier. I have turned with some U shaped bowl gouges and they always clogged up on me. Like Mark I have a Glaser gouge as well as more conventional gouges, and I agree that it is not really suited for fine work. But if I want to be knee deep in shavings within minutes, I grab the Glaser and crank up the Poolewood! It does a great job on reducing a rough blank to round in very short order.

Bill
 
I like the U because the shavings curl and eject, even when hogging heavily. The V sometimes folds 'em and creates a jam. I cut with the handle close to parallel to the rest, though. If you are a bigtime handle-dropper, probably doesn't make a lot of difference.
 
differences

Hal go to ww.woodcentral.com and look in the girnds library. Yu'll see what they are talking about
 
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