New to bowls, need tools

[Dave Lehnert]

Like to try my hand at bowl turning. Not want to spend high $$$ for a set of tools that may get used once I have my eye on two sets.
I notice the scrapers are not alike. What set would be the best as a starter?

First is the Shopsmith set. $89
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=518733
http://www.shopsmith.com/itempics/sjpg/518c/518733s.jpg

The other from PSI. $69
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCBT4.html
http://www.pennstateind.com/graphics/275px/LCBT4.jpg

[Alan Trout]

Dave when I started turning I sent Doug Thompson a e-mail and ask him what tools I needed. His reply was I needed a 1/2" V bowl gouge and learn how to use it. You can do 99+% of what you need to do for turning bowls with that one tool. It was great advice. Other tools are nice but you have to learn to use the bowl gouge first. Here are the V gouges. IMHO the best in the business. http://www.thompsonlathetools.com/tooltype.asp?TYPE=BV

Good Luck

Alan

[alex carey]

I clicked on the link, I never understand why most of the time they don't tell you the entire length of the tool.

I agree with Alan, don't get either of these kits and go for a single bowl gouge and perhaps a single round nose scraper. Buy good tools and you won't be disappointed.

Alex

[Bill Blasic]

Alex,
If you would have looked a little further under Products at the end of the first paragraph it states: "All tools are 10 inches long with a 6 inch flute except the 5/8 - 3/4 inch bowl gouges that are 12 inches long with a 7 inch flute." Hope this info helps.
Bill

[Ruth Niles]

Dave, I totally agree with Alan, start with a bowl gouge and in time go for a scraper. I bought one of those "sets" and about 10 yrs. later gave 3 of the tools away because they were never used...........I doubt the new owner ever used them either.

Ruth

[Bernie Weishapl]

I agree with Alan. I got Doug Thompson's 1/2" V and 1/2" U. Those are pretty well all you need if you learn to use them.

[alex carey]

Biil, I see it for pennstate but not for smith, which were you referring to?

[Tim Cleveland]

Dave, I agree with every body else that you should go with a single Thompson bowl gouge first and learn to use it really well and in time go with more bowl gouges as you find what you like.

Tim

[Doug Thompson]

ONE bowl gouge will turn a bowl from start to finish including the foot. I believe if you master this one single tool roughing and finish cuts become second nature so you can work on design. Personally I like a 1/2 diameter because that's what I learned to use and feels comfortable in my hand. Click on this link http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=104728 half the page down you will see a picture of a simple 1/2V shape bowl gouge roughing a hat blank, there is nothing that will rough a blank faster than that basic tool. This is done at 800 rpm's with a 20 inch handle, the cut is 3/8 inch deep and the shavings are.030-.040 thick. Larger diameter tools won't take a deeper/thicker cut because the limiting factor is the HP of the lathe... the lathe bogs down with a deeper cut. The tool will also take a very fine cut for finishing.

Sometimes less tools are better.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Dave - I will agree that all you really need is a good bowl gouge - and maybe a hefty round nose scraper. Size of the gouge (to me) depends on what size bowls you plan on turning. I started with a 3/8" and didn't like it as it wasn't beefy enough for me. Moved up to a 1/2" - then to a 5/8". I then picked up a 5/8" V from Doug (coupled with a Monster handle) and finally found what I had been looking for. You need to find what feels right to you - meaning weight, balance and the way it cuts. Everyone is different - if you can, try out some other folks gouges and see if something 'feels' right to you. Best of luck!

[Mark Norman]

I'm also new to turning and after a bit of research here I did just what the others here mention and that was to buy one good bowl gouge and a round nose scraper. I will eventualy add to the assortment but until I am proficient with the two I have I wont spend the money.

I went with Henry Taylor tools and am very happy with them..

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/triangle5/wood/101_1119.jpg

Happy turning...