I love the 45 degree bevel too!
The beauty of the Ellsworth grind is that the bevel angle varies.
Most Ellsworth grind users cut mostly with the 40-45 degree bevel just off the nose.
60 degrees is the bevel at tip of the nose used primarily for stability in beginning a cut
40-45 degrees is the bevel on the sweet spot off the nose where the slicing push cut is done with the flute rotated up about 45 degrees.
25-30 degrees is the bevel on the wing where the pull cut and peeling cuts are done.
Well said, Al. An interesting thing happened at my recent workshop with David. I get hung up on angle, so I brought a protractor. I asked David about various angles of the different tools he uses and on the nose and wings of his grind. David's response was something like, "I don't know...whatever works!"
We had fun putting a protractor on everything from the freehand hollowing bits to the end of the wing on the Ellsworth grind. I got the impression that David had never identified most of the angles, but he was interested to hear the numbers and how they relate to each other.
That's mastery learned from experience, and I suppose much newer turners like me are trying to speed the learning curve up by learn from mastery level experience.
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I heartily recommend David's courses. Much of what I thought I would learn I either already knew or didn't need to know, and most of what I learned I would have never anticipated that I would learn.
An additional value of my trip was visiting the Wharton Esherick Museum (mind blown), and the Center for Art in Wood (remnants of mind blown again blown into much smaller pieces). It was a treat to meet Albert at the Center, especially since I had read the recent article in Woodturning on his Dean of Woodturning status. The Center is a place I would recommend visiting over several days, as there is just way too much to comprehend in one visit.
The other area of tremendous learning was from David showing many of his pieces and a good number from his collection of other talented turners. There's a non-linear aspect of what we do art that greatly benefits time spent with others who are at the top of their game as both artists and turners.
This is starting to sound like a swipe file for a potential ad for the June Symposium!
My gratitude for the AAW, the Center for Art in Wood, and all the dedicated AAW members who continually give back to our wonderful community.