I have been using one of Sorby's gold, Rolls Royce, 1/2" spindle gouges since they first hit the market and I wrote a magazine review about them. I have noticed that it's ferrule has been having far too many close encounters with the back of the toolrest just lately.... and, strangely, the flute seems to have shrunk as well.
Time for a replacement me thinks....
Seek out the catalogue ....
Find price.....
Contact RSPCA about rehoming the resultant kitten.....
Cry myself to sleep!!!
I had just about settled on biting the bullet, and forgoing a couple of months pocket money, when I had a last minute brainwave. After I had recovered I cut off the wooden handle and ground the gold plating away from the butt of the tool before chamfering it almost as far as the centreline. Another piece of bar, of similar diameter, was also heavily chamfered in preparation for a trip to see a welder friend of mine. Neither of us had any idea how the high speed steel to mild steel joint would react to the deep welding process but, hey ho, nothing to lose.
We wrapped the flute in a wet rag to protect its heat treatment and went ahead and welded the two bits together (That's the Royal 'We', incidentally,). Once cool I ground the excess weld back to the tool's diameter and closely inspected for any sign of heat cracking. I followed up by trying to break the joint over the edge of my bench.
All appears to be well so the extended tool is now fitted into one of those metal handles (I'm actually not a fan but it's beggars and choosers time!) and my golden oldie is good for another year or two of ' normal' usage. When the flute gets down to about an inch I will probably regrind it lopsided and put it to use as a hollowing gouge in the style of Stuart Mortimer.
I hope I don't have to waste the piece of bar left once the flute has completely disappeared!!!
Brian