Need help with fingernail grind

[Bill Esposito]

Hi all,

I picked up a Sorby 1/2" bowl gouge today and I'm trying to put a fingernail grind on it manually.

I did not try to clean it up, what I'm interested in is whether I have the proper angles and and grinding profile. Please comment.
http://cerealport.net/.woodworking/temp/fingernail1.jpg
http://cerealport.net/.woodworking/temp/fingernail2.jpg
http://cerealport.net/.woodworking/temp/fingernail3.jpg
http://cerealport.net/.woodworking/temp/fingernail4.jpg

[Michael Cody]

Looks good to me, but here is link that talks directly about about these kind of profiles... drawings too..

<a href="http://www.peterchild.co.uk/info1/sflute.htm"> Fingernail Grind Info Page </a>

[Jim Becker]

I think you have a fine start on this. I do, however, suggest you consider either a commercial jig or a shop-made one to finish it off and keep it consistent. While there are still some die-hards that regularly do these complicated grinds by hand, even a lot of the pros have switched to a jig, like the Wolverine Vari-grind, to speed things up and keep the configuration the same all the time.

Personally, I use an Ellsworth gouge and grind for most of my turning, but I've also put a side-grind on most of my other gouges just because I'm more comfortable with it.

One other thing, if you find that you don't like this particular gouge in this configuration, you might try other brands, etc. As the article Mike cites eludes to, the flute design has a big effect on the success of a particular grind. That is especially true in a side grind.

[Bill Esposito]

Ok, I made a replica of the Ellsworth jig. 5/4 red oak, aluminum gutter nail, and 3/8" bolt. I think I'll stop by the hardware store tomorrow and get a brass or aluminum bolt if I can find one that doesnt cost an arm and a leg.
<Img BORDER=0 Width=544 Height=408 Src="http://cerealport.net/woodworking/diyellsworth1.jpg">

And here's the grind. I messed up right at the end but it's my first try...right?
<Img BORDER=0 Width=544 Height=408 Src="http://cerealport.net/woodworking/diyellsworth2.jpg">

[Jim Becker]

Originally posted by Bill Esposito
And here's the grind. I messed up right at the end but it's my first try...right?

You're doing just fine. What I see in that last pic is that you need to straighten the edge on the side a little more. You don't want it crowned there as it will not allow you to roll the gouge over for a shearing cut without...err...gouging. The Ellsworth grind will not be quite as good on the Sorby tool due to the shape of the flute, but it's not too bad nonetheless. The Sorby is a little thicker in some places and the profile at the very tip is slightly different.

I have a Sorby gouge profiled this way to use for a lot of the initial cuts without the extra sharpening required when using one tool. I switch to the Ellsworth gouge when I need the comfort of it's unique flute. (I use an Ellsworth profile for 90% of my turning, big or small)