Lets chat about roughing gouges

[George Farra]

What size roughing gouge would be appropriate for roughing out smaller projects like tool handles, bottle stoppers, handles for coffee and ice cream scoops, etc. Is a 1" gouge too large for such projects? I haven't found roughers smaller than 3/4" on the interweb, so I was speculating a 1" gouge is useable.

Any education on sizing tools to projects would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

George

[Thom Sturgill]

Any time my 2" gouge is too big (not often) I just use one of my larger bowl gouges. Do a series of push cuts onto the blank and then smooth between them. Repeat as needed.

[Bob Bergstrom]

1" roughing gouge will make short work of that size squares. Biggest advantage of the gouge is a lot of cutting surface. It can cut on the "U" to knock off the corners and use the wings to plane the cylinder smooth. I believe there are some small pen roughing gouges, but to rough out a cylinder that will work best. It will cut a 2" one down as well. Continental gouges will also work. I've used the old Sear's black 1" at times.

[George Farra]

Thanks guys for the speedy reply!! Much appreciated, George

[robert baccus]

Standard roughing gouges round up spindles well with a 45 deg? grind.. Also ground to a 75deg. angle they are great on vases, spindles and bowl sides. They do a great finish cut with no chance of a dig in. Unusual but true.

[Alan Zenreich]

I tend to make smaller items, for example, jewelry and shaving brushes.
I really like using a "Mark St. Ledger" 5/8" spindle roughing gouge from Thompson Lathe Tools (it is listed under 'other' tools on the site) . The flute is a deep U with wings that are pretty high, and can be used like a skew.