I have drooled over the Woodturners Catalog just as I used to droll over the Sear's Christmas catalog a long time ago.

I want to excel in finials as I move to more lidded vessels, or are they hollow forms?  I don't know.  Lids with finials, at any rate.

I am an experienced, probably middle of the road quality turner with a combination of carbide and traditional tools.  I may rough

out with carbide yet the last cuts are with a steel tool, as nicely sharpened as I can get it.

 

All of my tools are really too big for the smaller finials, so I am looking at a 3/8 spindle gouge.  As I began, the sales guy told me 

I needed a Sorby Spindle Master so I got one.  It works reasonably well, though I have yet to master the Spindle Master. 

 

From some videos, it appears that there are the more traditional spindle gouges, then some that are swept back quite a bit. One place calls

it an Irish guide. The videos I have watched seem to favor the more swept back gouges.

 

So, I will do OK choosing a brand, but if you have a strong preference, please say so.

My real question is whether I should get the more swept back gouge or a more standard gouge for making finials.

 

Thanks

Robert

Cindy Drozda is considered one of the turners who produce really nice finials. She sells her signature ground tool on her website-

 

http://www.cindydrozda.com/html/Tool_Info.html

 

Her description-

Drozda Signature 3/8" Finial Gouge
This 3/8" Spindle Gouge with the Drozda Finial Grind is designed for making the accurate, precise, detailed finials for which Cindy is well known. The tip is shaped with a small radius, giving it the detail cutting ability of an 1/8" gouge, while having the strength of a 3/8" tool. The long swept back wings are used like a skew chisel for planing cuts. This gouge has most of the heel removed for better access. Hand sharpened and ready to use!

3/8" 10V Finial Gouge, 10V, made in USA, 9 1/2" long, 5" flute, unhandled.

For best 10V Gouge performance, hone with diamond, or use a CBN sharpening wheel

 

You can see , she grinds the wings quite aways back

 

Here's a link about sharpening, from Cindy-

http://www.cindydrozda.com/handouts_Pdfs/handouts/sharpening/sharpening.pdf

 

I haven't used this tool.

Edited December 9, 20223 yr by lew

These are the spindle gouges I use and I have turned many small items and dainty finials.  They were offered by Craftsman years ago but cab be had from Ebay.

 

 

I used them to turn these items.

 

 

 

Small and or dainty items can be easily turned with common tools.  Here are a few finials turned with these same tools.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 20223 yr by HandyDan

I’m in awe!

 For Finials I use a Thompson 3/8 detail gouge. Have seen Cindy and Ashley Harwood and done Cindy style finials with this one. The key is SHARP , don't rush , and start at tailstock end. Oh and don't go back to tailstock once first part done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t done many finials yet but have a friend that has done a lot. He prefers a 1/2” swept back spindle gouge best and he does some small finials with it.

So, it appears that the swept back spindle gouge is a common denominator among several people while the brand differs.

 

I'll go drool over the catalog a bit more and go to Cindy's website.

 

As usual, I really appreciate the real world wisdom from the people in this group.

On 12/9/2022 at 1:36 PM, lew said:

Cindy Drozda is considered one of the turners who produce really nice finials. She sells her signature ground tool on her website-

 

http://www.cindydrozda.com/html/Tool_Info.html

 

Her description-

Drozda Signature 3/8" Finial Gouge
This 3/8" Spindle Gouge with the Drozda Finial Grind is designed for making the accurate, precise, detailed finials for which Cindy is well known. The tip is shaped with a small radius, giving it the detail cutting ability of an 1/8" gouge, while having the strength of a 3/8" tool. The long swept back wings are used like a skew chisel for planing cuts. This gouge has most of the heel removed for better access. Hand sharpened and ready to use!

3/8" 10V Finial Gouge, 10V, made in USA, 9 1/2" long, 5" flute, unhandled.

For best 10V Gouge performance, hone with diamond, or use a CBN sharpening wheel

 

You can see , she grinds the wings quite aways back

 

Here's a link about sharpening, from Cindy-

http://www.cindydrozda.com/handouts_Pdfs/handouts/sharpening/sharpening.pdf

 

I haven't used this tool.

Lew's post sparked my interest.  I had been window shopping for a spindle detail gouge and decided to try this one out. 

 

The tool is branded Thomson and may be similar to the one @Gerald described earlier in the thread. 

 

I also purchased on of Cindy's custom handles.  My interest in the handle was mainly in the insert used that holds the tool.  The inserts are available separately on the website.  They are made of anodized aluminum and seem to be of high quality.  All-in-all an elegant way to add a tool to a shop made handle.  The handle is 12" long and made from mahogany with a hexagonal profile.

 

 

The tool itself is well made and arrived sharp.  Most of the heel was ground away.  The cutting edge was difficult to photograph due the shine. 

 

 

 

I took a walnut spindle blank from the shelf and mounted it in the lathe.  In about 5 minutes I had the start of a finial.  The tool was easy to handle and left a smooth finish.  Smooth enough that I could start sanding with 220grit 

 

 

Overall I would recommend the tool and I'm happy with both the performance and the purchase.

.40

1 hour ago, forty_caliber said:

Overall I would recommend the tool and I'm happy with both the performance and the purchase.

.40

Thanks for the review!

I like the style of it.  It should serve you well.

As to using inserts on home made handles I like the idea but if I am removing tool prefer the whole handle be metal, like the heft. Fir home made I drill them and do two set screws in ferl to allow removal. The one you have looks just like the Clewes. Cindy’s grinds are very effective even tho her talent also make it look like child’s play. 

The inserts that Cindy sells are made by Thompson. I bought some to put in my own wooden handles.

 

I had not seen the handle inserts before.  Thanks for pointing that out.  I may need one in the future. 

 

.40

Thanks again for responses on this.  I often see what I want, then go up one step.  This has kept me in good stead with all of my tools, having overbought only with my drill press.

Anyway. there is a Cindy Drozda spindle gouge sitting under the Christmas tree for me, from my wife, though she hasn't seen it yet. That's kind of how we roll when it comes to wood tools and jewelry.

I will chime in in favor of Thomson chisels. Excellent chisels. I have a roughing gouge and several sizes of his bowl gouges that I have ground to a fingernail configuration. For detail work usually use one of his 3/8” which works really well. I tend to just buy the chisels and make my own handles. I prefer to be able to just reach over and grab another chisel as opposed to having to change the handle. Besides … turning the handle is the best part of getting a new chisel !

Paul