6 or 1 or 1/2 dozen of the other

[Josh Bowman]

I'm growing another year older and my wife and daughter want to get me a BD gift.:)
I have the Sorby Sovereign handle and two 1/2" gouges for it. I was thinking that maybe a 3/8" should be next. Is there any difference other than preference from like P&N, Thompson and Sorby?
Since I'm new to bowl turning, are there any other things I should put on the list? I don't have bowl calipers, but I do have spindle sets. The only DVD I have is Bowl Basics by Mahoney.
Thanks for helping with my birthday.....:D
Josh

[John Keeton]

A couple of ideas would be Bill Grumbine's DVDs, or Raffan's book "The Art of Turned Bowls - these are excellent source materials that you can refer to over and over.

For tools, I use a 3/8" and 1/4" Thompson detail gouges for finial work, but I also use them for detail work on bowls such as small beads, some detailing on the bowl bottoms, etc.

Then, there are always more chucks - can't have too many!!:D

[Josh Bowman]

Then, there are always more chucks - can't have too many!!:D
I'm not thinking outside the box! Why so many chucks?

[Richard Madison]

Two chucks can be handy. Dunno about more. A 3/8 bowl gouge is also very handy. I frequently use two or even three sizes on any one project as the work progresses.

[Cathy Schaewe]

If somebody wanted to get me another Thompson bowl gouge, I'd trip over my feet to get at it. I use the 1/2 and 3/8 every time I turn. With this bigger lathe, a 5/8 gouge would be great. And I want a scraper, and a skew, and a .......

[David E Keller]

I just got a second chuck, and I'm not sure how I managed to live without it. I love DVD's, so it's hard to go wrong there. I use my vessel calipers a fair bit, so they are pretty handy. I've had my eye on a collet chuck for a little while. Wow, I just realized that I want a bunch of stuff. Happy birthday!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Don't think you can beat Thompson's. I love my 3/8" and 1/2".

[Bernie Weishapl]

I'm not thinking outside the box! Why so many chucks?

Josh I have seven chucks. I have different jaws on each of them. 3 are for the two small lathes 1 X 8 and 4 for the Nova 1 1/4 X 8. I hate changing jaws. Can't have to many chucks.

[Karl Card]

from my experience if you learn to work with what you have and use those items to the fullest when the day comes you get the better tools and more tools you will most definitely appreciate them more. With that being said I wished I had gone the dvd sets, and more instructional type of media.

I do not have the patience to read a book, I just cant hold focus on the material.

Happy birthday and no matter what I am sure it will be that "happy".
It is nice when the family is for what you are doing and believes in your efforts.

[Josh Bowman]

I wished I had gone the dvd sets, and more instructional type of media.

I do not have the patience to read a book, I just cant hold focus on the material.

What are some good DVD's for beginners and intermediates.

[Gary DeWitt]

Bill Grumbine and Mike Mahoney are both good in my opinion.

[Dan Kralemann]

Bill Grumbine and Mike Mahoney are both good in my opinion.


I would also include David Ellsworth and Steven Russell, http://www.woodturningvideosplus.com/index.html

Because I just got my very first lathe, I ordered 13 DVDs for my learning process and I'm glad I did. Although I ordered DVDs of other turners, it was helpful to see the different turning styles between these four turners and the different tools and grinds they use with regard to making bowls. I was in email contact with three of these men because I had questions of them, and all of them answered all the questions that I had for them. Example: I watched these before I bought my tools. One question I had for Mike Mahoney was what flute shape did he use for his tools: "V" or "U" shaped. He uses a "U" shaped flute for all of his tools.

I based my decision on which DVDs to buy by going to the Craft Supplies USA web site and watching a sample of each DVD.

[Neil Strong]

I have the Sorby Sovereign handle and two 1/2" gouges for it. I was thinking that maybe a 3/8" should be next. Is there any difference other than preference from like P&N, Thompson and Sorby?


On the gouges, if you don't have a Thompson yet, get one of them next. Not that the others aren't equally good, it's just that the Thompsons are such good value if purchasing in the US. The only thing with the P&Ns are the flutes, which have to be polished, but they make up for that with their quality steel.

If you have not decided already you need to experiment with both 'V' and 'U' profile flutes. Most turners now use the 'V'.

Not sure why you have 2 x 1/2" gouges and no other sizes, Josh? I'd be inclined to go to a 1/4" spindle gouge next, then add a 3/8" bowl gouge when you can. If the funds don't stretch to that immediately maybe sell one of your 1/2" gouges to fund that...:)

You can always make your own calipers if funds are running low, but they are relatively cheap and I for one couldn't get through a turning session without them.... only problem is they just don't make them large enough!

As for DVDs, they are the next best thing if you can't get to spend some time watching some experienced turners. Pitty you can't drop over to watch Steve anymore...:D

Happy Birthday!

....

[Greg Just]

I vote for the Grumbine DVD's. I have both and they are excellent.

[Josh Bowman]

On
If you have not decided already you need to experiment with both 'V' and 'U' profile flutes. Most turners now use the 'V'.
Not sure why you have 2 x 1/2" gouges and no other sizes, Josh?
....
Well one of the 1/2" gouges had a straight grind.......but I went to a turners shop and he made both an ellsworth grind. However per his suggestion, as you're roughing a bowl, it's nice to just change to another sharpe bit and keep going.
I'm glad you mentioned the V. I would like to try one and think It'll be a 3/8 since I don't have one.

[John Hart]

If it were me...I'd consider the fact that I don't always know what I need until I need it. Sandpaper and finishes are real big on my list of stuff I don't think about. Sometimes I like to buy tool steel when the opportunity arises. Therefore...I would want a gift card.

Happy Birthday Josh!

[Kyle Iwamoto]

+1 for Bill's DVD and the Raffans Art of Turned bowls.

I also wanted to add that Sorby and Thompson measure gouges differently. Your 1/2" Sorby is the same size as the Thompson 5/8". In case you did not already know that. Thompson gouges are great. Sorbys are great too, but more expensive.

[Wayne Spence]

Josh- During the last six months I have purchased a Thompson 3/8 spindle and 5/8 U bowl gouge, and a 3/4 Sorby bowl gouge all for the Soverign handle. The 3/8 spindle is my favorite, they are all good, as the man says learn to use what you have.

For wet wood I might suggest the 2000 dvd by Stuart Mortimer.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Happy Birthday Josh! Hope you had a good one!

Always hard to suggest tools for someone else because what we turn - and how we turn it - will be different. I feel you can't go wrong with DVDs - or lessons - anything that will further your turning education! Another vote for Grumbine's Turned Bowls Made Easy DVD!