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No Flute Gouge ?

RichColvin

RichColvin

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I inherited some turning tools from my grandfather. He had a couple which seem to be spindle gouges (they were definitely ground that way, but don't have a flute. The back is rounded and the top is flat. Any idea what it is ?

Kind regards,
Rich
 
Rich sounds like a spindle master.

I first saw one around 2000 at the woodworking show in Baltimore.
Nick Cook was working in a vendor booth demoing the spindlemaster.

I have tried it and I think it works more like a skew than a gouge. I think a skew and spindle,gouge our perform it.

https://www.rockler.com/robert-sorby-spindlemaster-spindlemaster
 
The round back allows you to adjust the angle approach of the cutting edge of the tool on spindle type work. Like any other tool it takes practice to master the technique for the design of the tool.
 
Might it be a "skew-chi-gouge"? See http://www.crownhandtools.ltd.uk/page42.html

I bought one at an estate sale from the widow of one of our members--no one else wanted it. I've been playing with it. I think I might get to like it for small tool handles--I can use it like a skew until I get to one end, then, turn a tighter bead than I'd be comfortable with a skew. Sharpening is tricky, though...
 
I actually did a video on Doug Thompson's 'Fluteless' gouge. The 'tool' part of it is half round stock, large one is 5/8 diameter. It is a favorite tool of mine, and there are many variations, but mostly I use it for a BOB (bottom of bowl) tool with ) shaped nose and 70 degree bevel. Tracy Owens, not positive on the name made a similar tool that was a lot bigger, maybe 1 inch diameter. Another variation on the fluteless gouge is the 'Vortex' tool from Stuart Batty, and I think Cindy Drozda has one also, or uses Stuart's version. It is the same half round stock, but ground to more of a detail tool, 30 degree bevel, and comes to a point rather than a more gouge line slightly rounded nose. First version of this that I saw was an Allen Batty tool that he used as a detail tool. The Sorby Spindle Master was their version of Allen's tool, and according to Allen, "They got it all wrong!".

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suRxCxdMn4k


robo hippy
 
Hy Tran said:
Might it be a "skew-chi-gouge"? See http://www.crownhandtools.ltd.uk/page42.html

I bought one at an estate sale from the widow of one of our members--no one else wanted it. I've been playing with it. I think I might get to like it for small tool handles--I can use it like a skew until I get to one end, then, turn a tighter bead than I'd be comfortable with a skew. Sharpening is tricky, though...
Click to expand...
How do you sharpen it ?
 
Like a spindle gouge, just do not roll it past the flat edge. The cutting takes place ( like a scraper ) on the edge.
Round it over and you have created a wood burnisher.
 
I have 2 Spindle Masters and I really like them and I do use them quite often. They can leave a very nice finish. I find them to be much friendlier to use than a skew. For sharpening I just run the flat side over my diamond card hones. Couldn't be easier
 
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