Fluteless Gouge  

Edge Angle

This guidance covers Skewchigouges & the Sorby Spindle Master.

The fluteless gouge is typically used in the same manner as the skew chisel (without the tendency to catch), or a spindle gouge.


Sharpening the fluteless gouge Image courtesy Robert Sorby
Note: Some turners advise not grinding the bottom, curved edge when sharpening this; rather they advocate sharpening the tool by grinding along the top, flat side. They will use a fine-grade diamond plate to do this (as shown in the picture to the left).

The life so short, the craft so long to learn.

Hippocrates

Guidelines shown below are for use with the Tormek SVD-186 or SVD-185 Gouge Jig.

General Guidelines
α β SVD-186 Comments
JS P Hole
30° n/a 2 55 mm B

End view

This is the more typical approach when sharpening this tool.

60° - 70° 5° - 10°      

End view

Reed “Robo Hippy” Gray recommends this angle for cleaning up the bottom of a bowl. The one he uses for this is more of a half-round tool, and he uses it as a scraper.

The second video below shows it well.

Notes & Comments

Relief Grind

The use of a relief grind (β) is recommended but not critical. If one is used, +5° to +10° is recommended.


Concave Top Face

One school of thought is to grind the top face to be slightly concave. This is shown in an exaggerated view to the left. I am not a fan of adding this grind as it changes the angle of attack too drastically as the tool is rotated in use.


More Information

Books & Papers

Published Articles

Books & Papers

Videos & Presentations