Gouge sharpening

[RollaJohn]

For what its worth:

This is an idea I found on another BBS. The hint about a dowel substituting when profile experimenting applies to any of the Wolverine style jigs and could be used on others as well.
Check it out:http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/showthread.php?t=23809

. :)

[Gunny]

While we're talking about sharpening gouges...
I've tried every jig and gimmick to come along from Tormek to ScarySharp and everything in between, eventually coming to the conclusion that nothing could beat the Tru-Grind jig and 8" whitewheel on a slow speed grinder.
Then I was browsing the Woodcraft site about the time I bought my DVR XP and came across the JoolTool Sharpening system:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5807

At first glance, with all the flashy colors it looked like it might have been made by Fisher-Price for Bob the Builder. But I checked out the video and was intrigued. A look at the video will tell you why.

http://www.woodcraft-gallery.com/StreamingMedia/jooltool.wmv

I wasn't ready to spend that much money on any tool with a color scheme that might clash with my shop's basic gray motif, but after going back again and again to the video, I finally sent away for it.

As with any new tool there's a learning curve, but being able to put a razor edge on a bowl gouge and get back to the lathe so quickly that it's not really necessary to turn the lathe off is a definite improvement over any other sharpening system I've used... :D