Old Spindle Gouges

[David Trustman]

I bought a bunch of turning tools from a guy clearing out his shop many years ago. I pulled out a bunch of scrapers that I could use and put the rest away, not really looking at them since. I just went back through the pile to see what was in there that I might want to add to my "to use" pile and came across some old "Greenlee" and "Sorby" spindle gouges. They have a very shallow flute. They kind of look like roughing gouges but the sides are flared back. Since I have a couple standard spindle gouges, I was wondering if these my be useful for specific purposes. Maybe reground to a different bevel or sweep. I'm not sure if they are really worth using or not. I have them in a full range of sizes. Any comments or ideas?

[Andrew Derhammer]

I have a marples just like that. I like it for doing larger details that i feel a spindle gouge is too small for. I use mine all the time.

[Wilbur Pan]

Those look like Continental (http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=tools-srby-congou) or German (http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=tools-pkrd-gsg) spindle gouges. I have an old one made by Bucks Bros., and I really like it a lot. Good for detail work and for roughing down a spindle blank.

[Steve Schlumpf]

David - first of all... Welcome to the Creek! You'll find lots of good folks here willing to answer all sorts of turning questions!

I've always know that style of gouge as either a German or shallow gouge. Packard Woodworks has this same style listed:

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=tools-tayl-diam-shagou

[Bernie Weishapl]

Welcome to SMC David. Ditto what Steve said.

[Bill Bolen]

David the shaft shape looks a lot like my 30 year old set of Shopsmith chisels. They are probably tool steel and while they will not hold an edge as long as HSS they do take a really good sharp edge and touch up easily on a grinder or with a hand held diamond hone. I use mine still and do enjoy them. I like the big one for roughing out even though my big 1 1/4" standard shaped roughing gouge will take a bigger bite...Bill..