Why are new gouges ground at such high angles
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- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 3 months ago by Bob Bruynooghe.
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16 December 2014 at 10:32 am #122211
I have just recently bought a set of woodworking Gouges from Rutland, yes they are the cheap one just on offer, but as we have learnt from Lidl and Aldi chisels, they may be a good buy. However I find these chisels difficult to work with due to the high grind angle on the back of the bevel. I notice when Paul uses gauges in his videos that he presents his gauge at a much lower angle than the ones I have can achieve. I assume he has reground them to a much shallower angle than the ones I have. Can anyone confirm what the optimum angle is, or is it just a preference?
These gauges look to be sharpened at a 60 degree angle, I am sure I would prefer a 30 degree angle, is this wise?16 December 2014 at 10:34 am #122212Sorry looks like auto correct has given me gauges instead of gouges, I am sure you had figured that out already.
16 December 2014 at 11:41 am #122215I don’t have a great many gouges, and those I do have are all second hand, but my first thought is: are you sure these aren’t turning gouges? The steep bevel makes sense for that sort of work, you’re right that it’s much too high for general bench duty.
Perhaps you could post the Rutlands link?
Matt
17 December 2014 at 10:17 pm #122276I second what Matt says. I had the same problem and realized I had been trying to use Turning gouges. I reground mine because I did not want to spend more money. Noe they work just fine.
17 December 2014 at 10:46 pm #122280Sometimes it’s the way you use a carving gouge the determine the bevel angle.
Chris Pye master carver suggest 15- 20 degrees for carving chisels.
I think chisels you have may be carpenters straight gouges which I think should aim for 25-30 degrees on outer bevel. You can also get firmer gouges in canal bevel which have a 25-30 degree bevel.these are used for scribing an ovolo on a door / window.23 January 2015 at 11:37 am #123813I have bought a 25mm Faithfull Straight Gouge Woodcarving Chisel from Amazon with trying spoon-making in mind. It also has a very steep bevel, approx 55 degrees. I think this is one of the gouges that Paul has mentioned in his blog as an OK cheap gouge. That angle is nothing like the angle on the old gouges I was given for Christmas. I suspect that such a steep bevel will be hard to work with. I don’t have a grinder and I guess it will be a lot of work to change the angle just using sharpening stones.
23 January 2015 at 9:53 pm #123825I have aset of faithful gouges the angles are very steep and grinding marks on them pretty course. The steel is quite hard.
Out of the six gouges I bought I have converted two with lower angles and more polished on the inside. They are just about acceptable.
I have a Tormek grinder so a lot easier for me to do bevel. To polish the inside I shaped a bit of wood with a similar shape as to the gouge held in vice. I stuck abrasive papers 120g- 400g on inside then I stuck a piece of leather and use polishing compound. Even after all this work still had some grinding marks showing through.
There is a lot of work to be done to these gouges and to be truthful save your money, and get a reputable make. -
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