Bowl gouge measuring

[mike johnston]

I have several bowl gouges, from several manufacturers. I know folks measure flutes differently, how do you know when ordering a new gouge how it’s measured. For instance, I have 3 Sorby gouge’s 2 are marked 1/2” inch. Both measure 1/2” inside the flute, but overall they measure very differently?

[Richard Coers]

I ask the supplier.

[Edward Weber]

Americans usually measure the bar stock,
Europeans usually measure the actual flute, regardless of the bar stock size

[Don Stephan]

When ordering spindle and bowl gouges I give the bar diameter I want, the other measurement is the distance across the top of the flutes, which will be slightly smaller.

Be aware that some people taking and/or filling orders might not know there are two different approaches to determining gouge size.