Sharpening gouges and v-tools

[mikeg]

Hello all,

I've got my coarse, medium, fine oil stones and strop and I'm slowy trying to get proficient with them but can somebody recommend something to use on the inside curves of my v-tools and gouges? I think the biggest tool I have is a 1/4' v-tool although I could be mistaken since I don't have them with me.

thanks,
mikeg

I keep hearing (or reading) that if you shape a piece of wood for the inside of gouges and put some compound on the wood that it works.....I have a small board from flexcut that came with my gouges that is shaped like the gouge, but I haven't used it yet...am sure it works however....think it cost 10.00 with a bar of the yellow compound if you buy it separate.

I got a piece of thick leather, and shaped the edge of it to match the inside v's and u's works well. I also cut a small round disc from this same piece of leather and put it on a mandrel for my dremel..charge it with jewelers rouge and use it on the inside of gouges. Also have a small sharp edged slip stone, (ceramic) that works for the inside of v's and the oposite side is radiused so that works on inside of gouges.

Al

Al I like your idea of the small piece of leather in the dremel I am definatly going to give that a try. Wow I love this board you learn something every day.
Colin

[BobD]

That is if we can keep the topics at least margionally on carving

Al, that is a great tip, though. I have one question. Do you have to worry much about putting a bevel on the inside of the v tool? I thought I read somewhere that you shouldn't have a bevel on the inside of gouges and v tools...

Bob

The biggest thing you need to watch is the direction of rotation.

[BobD]

Otherwise you'll carve down your wheel or round over your edge, correct?

Bob

An inside bevel, at least on straight gouges, is usually a good thing. Adds strength, allows use of the back side of the tool without digging in, and because it shares the bevel angle with the outer one you can have longer outer bevel. The big advantage to me is the ability to use the tool 'upside down' without having it dig in.

Yes Bob, that is the problem.

I also use the micro-motor to polish the inside of tight V-tools ie. 24 - 30 degree. *It works very very well, but the high speed means things happen too fast to react; so you need to check the wheel direction before making contact with the tool.

I don't recommend sharpening or beveling on the inside of V-tools. *Inside micro-bevels can be used to advantage on gouges, but the inside tool surface determines the location of the edge. *If it is inconsistant, you edge will appear wavy instead of straight. *

As Dave mentioned, use a board. I have several gouged out for my gouges and v-tools. That's all I use to strop them. If you look at this page http://www.carvingpatterns.com/sharpening-2.htm it will tell you how to do it.