Thompson gouge

[bob svoboda]

I just ordered a 1/2" bowl gouge from Thompson. I have turned a cherry handle, but have a couple of questions and would appreciate the benefit of your experience.

Do I drill the hole 1/2" or a little smaller?
How deep should the hole be?
What types of ferrules have you been successful with?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give. :cool:

[Gordon Seto]

http://www.thompsonlathetools.com/faq.asp
Shanks and Tangs?
and the "HANDLES" tab have all your answers.

[bob svoboda]

Thanks Gordon==That helps a lot.

[phil harold]

Just my honest opinion would be to avoid cherry and walnut as a handle
I had some on hand chisel crack I would hate to have that happen while turning...
maple, ash, or hickory
http://www.thompsonlathetools.com/images/extra/TurningToolHandles.pdf

[Steve Mawson]

For my handle I drilled a 1/2" hole about 2" deep if I remember correctly. Used a 5/8 or 3/4 copper tubing nut for the ferrule, turned a tenon that the nut threaded on to. Takes some time to get the diameter correct but will thread right on when you get it right. Then I used a file to take down the corners. Pretty much followed the instructions on the Thompson site which worked out fine.

[Mike Minto]

yes, the tools have a mark on them denoting how deeply they should be set into the handle. cherry and walnut are not good for handles? drag - that's all i've made mine from - hope they're not a disaster in waiting :confused:.

[John Keeton]

The handles on my Thompson tools are laminated walnut and maple. I would not be concerned at all with walnut handles so long as the wood was solid, and substantial around the tang. My handles are 1.5" in diameter in the tang area, and I use a 1" ferrule material.

[bob svoboda]

The handles on my Thompson tools are laminated walnut and maple. I would not be concerned at all with walnut handles so long as the wood was solid, and substantial around the tang. My handles are 1.5" in diameter in the tang area, and I use a 1" ferrule material.
Thanks John. I'm glad you clarified the ferrule size. In my research I read there should be 1/4" of wood between the steel and the ferrule so I did use a 1" ferrule (for a 1/2" gouge). I appreciate the help.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I have a several of cherry, ash and walnut handles that are about 3 yrs old. Bob I use either a 3/4" or 1" ferrule's on mine. I make them out of some copper pipe I had laying around. I drill a 1/2" hole and smear a little epoxy inside the hole and insert the gouge.