Bevel Angles

[Wildwood]

Just knowing when to resharpen pretty simple, when in doubt do it! Using sharp tools only way ever going to learn tool control. Every turner has their favorite bevel angle for tools they own.

What are he best bevel angels for woodturning tools? Well what is the bevel angles on your turning tools when you bought them? Well using an angle finder tool like this will give you a starting point of what you have now. You can spend lot more if want too but not really necessary.

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Too many references articles & videos to list proper bevel angles, your current bevel angles may already be at a proper bevel angle or close to what’s recommended. Some tools like bedan, parting, and skews really don’t want to change the bevel angle at all. Using a diamond hone can really help you save lot of steel!

On bowl & spindle gouges you want to change from straight to fingernail grind but maintain 45 degree bevel. U-shaped roughing gouge you want a straight gring but keep 45 degree bevel angle but continental & german gougs keep a 45 degree angle but round shaped nose. l Have seen anywhere from 30, 35, 45 degree bevel angles recommended for spindle gouges. Bowl gouges anywhere from 40 to 80 degrees. For bowl gouges really about the shape of the bowl as to which bevel angle is best suited at best bevel angles are kind of a compromise.

Whatever bevel angle of the tool you want a smooth bevel, one without lot of facets whether sharpen free hand or use a jig. No matter what method use to sharpen your tool want repeatablity every time you sharpen your tools. If you can sharpen free hand and get a smooth bevel every time whether angle of degrees varies a little should not bother you. If cannot do that buy or make a jig. Made couple different jigs with varying results, so bought basic Wolverine system with optional Vari-grind jig over twenty years ago. Now there are couple other systems out there just as good like Tru-grind, Sharp Fast, and PSI makes a modified Wolverine sys. If have a Tormek sys, can buy their woodturners kit or components of it to use with it or just components to fit your grinder or belt sander.

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http://www.thehighlandwoodturner.com/

[crokett™]

Every turner has their favorite bevel angle for tools they own.

this is true, but knowing the effect of a new angle on a tool is altogether different.

[Wildwood]

Instead of using proper bevel angles where should have use optimum to better explain changing bevel angles. Before you change the bevel angle on any of your tools have to know where you are at right now! Once you change geometry what is the new bevel angle and will tool work the same or better for you? The optimum bevel angle that will work for you or not simply a SWAG (scientific wild butt guess) at best!

With few exceptions talking modifying tool geometry and changing bevel angles on spindle & bowl gouges. Biggest change to tool geometry we make on gouges is going from straight or traditional grind to finger nail or side grind (Irish or Ellsworth). These grinds work on both bowls & spindles gouges.

Today can buy a spindle or bowl gouge with double bevels. While understand why you want a double bevel on a bowl gouge for bottoms of bowls not sure why need one for spindle work. Most people know adding a double bevel bowl gouges keep the same first bevel angle. Don’t know anyone to modify their spindle gouge other than folks selling them.

Another tool where people change geometry is the traditional skew chisel. People buy or imitate Al Lancer or Richard Raffan skews. Still other people modify their skew to straight geometry. Pretty much want to keep the same bevel angle that came with the tool.

Only tool know can modify without changing the bevel angle is a parting tool to make whats called a fluted parting tool. In the old days simply took your parting tool to the edge of a grinding wheel to form the flutes. Today you can buy one already made.

Even though many good reasons to change a tools geometry and bevel angles just as many reasons not too! To change or not change geometry bevel angles on tools really depends on tool owner.

[MichaelMouse]

Instead of using proper bevel angles where should have use optimum to better explain changing bevel angles. Before you change the bevel angle on any of your tools have to know where you are at right now!  Once you change geometry what is the new bevel angle and will tool work the same or better for you?  The optimum bevel angle that will work for you or not simply a SWAG (scientific wild butt guess) at best!  

Generally speaking, longer bevels peel better than short ones.  Allow you to move the handle closer to parallel with the work.