For some reason, my 1/2 inch spindle gouge is often catching and pulling in the opposite direction I'm going, only when I'm making a cove, tearing out quite a bit of wood. This also happens less often with my 3/4 inch gouge, and also when I'm making a cove cut.
I work downhill, and try to be careful about using the bevel and cutting out a clean shave. I tend to get a catch more when working right to left. I have no problems working with other tools.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Sounds like a "spiral cut
When that happens to me it's because I lost the bevel.
For gouges it's usually the detail gouge (cut at a 35 degree angle) and not the other one (cut at a 45 degree angle)
Make sure you're cutting on the bottom half of the gouge. For instance, if you're cutting from left to right, make sure you're using the edge on the right side of the gouge. I usually try to position the cut about a third the way up from the tip.
If you're cutting in the middle (i.e., with the tip) it's easy to get just a bit off kilter and start cutting with the upper edge. That results in the wood grabbing the gouge, rolling it counter-clockwise and the wham - you have a nasty dig-in.
...Kevin
"Kevin Miller" wrote: (clip) only when I'm making a cove, (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sorry, I'm not sure I remember the procedure for avoiding this, but I do recall a class where we were shown that this is a particular problem with coves. I think it is because, as the gouge approaches the bottom of the cove, the side that's not cutting can touch the other side of the cove. So draw the gouge back so only the tip is contacting the wood (making the gouge effectively narrower) or switch to a smaller gouge, or both. And keep the cuts very light.
All good information. I'll work on it.
Thanks!
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