Why you don't use a Spindle Roughing Gouge on bowls

[Bryan Milham]

Found this video, shows quite graphically why it's called a Spindle Roughing Gouge and why you should not use it on bowl or faceplate work.

Minor Gore alert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOhHeyoZLaY

[Dave Atkinson]

Personally I think to make a video showing the wrong thing to do and aiming for an accident is a remarkably stupid thing to do.  He was lucky he only cut his finger.

Do you really need to stick your hand into the fire to know it hurts?  Perhaps he'll make one about using a chainsaw next?


Cheers Dave

[Bryan Milham]

In the video he says he's a professional turner of 30 years and that he spent 6 hours the previous day trying to work out why you shouldn't use the Spindle Roughing Gouge on bowls and faceplate work. He notes that the accident was not intended.

Whether or not he's right in showing what not to do, and why you shouldn't, is not the point. When you consider his experience and what happened to him, in his demonstration, inexpert turners are at even greater risk of injuring themselves.

Then you consider how many YouTube videos of turning [I've seen] employing the SRG to work faceplate's etc., all of which are watched by enthusiastic beginners (read the comments) who have little or no other tuition, and you start to realise that this one voice in the YouTube e-world is trying to do the right thing.

He posted this as a serious 'Do not do' not 'look, I'm a bloody idiot!'

[Dave Atkinson]

Hmmm - I can see your point but I'm still not convinced. 

You point about You Tube is well made - it is, on the one hand, capable of spreading dangerous practice, but on the other, there are many excellent examples.

I have no idea where this takes us.  Back to the written word perhaps?  Although I have seen one writer in New Woodworking (now call Woodworkig Plans and projects) using a spindle roughing gouge on faceplate work and this was published by GMC.     

Hey ho!

Cheers Dave

[Nick Prince]

Interesting post, though I dont want to look !!

So for the unitiiated, why dont you use a Spindle Roughing Gouge on a bowl? 
Not that I would, cos I have been told not to and I'm a good boy.  Just interested is all.

[Bryan Milham]

Watch the video, you'll soon understand the reasons,

Honest it's not that bad, he just skins a knuckle, but because there is a little blood, I thought it only fair to warn people.

[john taylor]

this is what can happen when you use a spindle roughing gouge on a cross grain piece.



john