In woodworking, there are many different types of gouges. The two most common types are the bowl gouge and the spindle gouge.
Learning how to use each properly will make a huge difference in your work! In this blog post, we’ll discuss what each type is used for, their differences, and we’ll even throw in some videos that show you just how easy it can be to learn!
Bowl Gouge vs Spindle Gouge comparison Table
| Details | Bowl Gouge | Spindle Gouge |
| Flute Shape | U & V-Shaped | Wide and Flat |
| Sharpening | Frequently | Less Frequently |
| Cutting Wings | Yes | No |
| Tight Coves | No | Yes |
| Tool Rest Reach | Yes | No |
| Bowl Exterior | Yes | Yes [Limited] |
| Bowl Interior | Yes | No |
| Bowl Details | Yes [Limited] | Yes |
| Spindle Turning | Yes [limited] | Yes |
Difference Between Bowl Gouge and Spindle Gouge
Shape:
A bowl gouge and a spindle gouge are two types of hand carving tools. The main difference between the two is their shape, which makes them perfect for different tasks.
The bowl gouge is a round, curved shape and the spindle gouge is more of an elongated triangle. The bowl gouge usually has U-shaped and V-shaped flutes while the spindle gauge has shallow U-shape flutes.
Blade:
A gouge is not just about shape though! The blade width makes all the difference when it comes to choosing between one style over another.
A wider blade will cut more aggressively than a narrow blade because there’s less chance that the tool will get stuck on the wood.
A bowl gouges blade will be long, thin, and generally flat while a spindle gouge’s blade will have a convex shape like an arc or cone which helps round out cuts.
This convex blade will also have a sharp edge on the inside of it, which is useful for smoothing or refining cuts.
Size:
A wide range of blade sizes exists for both tools. The bowl gouge typically has a blade length of between 12″ and 18″, while the spindle gouge usually measures from about eight to 14″.
The size is chosen according to the type of wood being worked, as well as personal preference.
In general, smaller blades are better suited for detail work in small or hard-to-reach areas. Larger blades are better for shaping large, flat surfaces.
The size of each tool makes it perfect for different tasks or carving styles. The bowl gouge can create large, deep carvings while the spindle gouge creates small intricate details which is why it is often used in the carving of ornamental work.
Variety:
A spindle gouge can be used to carve in any direction while a bowl gouge’s cutting ability is limited by its shape and orientation; this becomes more noticeable with harder woods like mahogany.
The spindle gouge’s blade orientation and the arc of its curve make it a more versatile tool for carving in any direction.
Handle:
The bowl gouge is usually equipped with a longer handle on its end to provide better control while carving.
Spindle gouges typically feature a shorter and narrower handle than the bowl gouge. They provide a more comfortable grip for controlling the tool because of their shape.
Strength:
Another difference between a spindle gouge and a bowl gouge is strength. This refers to how well each tool can stand up against wear and tear caused by carving into harder materials such as hardwoods or exotic woods.
A typical spindle gouge will last longer than any other type of woodworking tool on the market, making it perfect for intricate carving.
The bowl gouge, on the other hand, is typically made of metal and will wear down quickly when used to carve harder wood like mahogany or green oak because its size makes it difficult for the tool to cut without damaging the surface.
It’s best suited for softer woods such as pine or basswood where less strength is needed.
Purpose:
The purpose for using either type of tool depends on what you are trying to do: A bowl gouge is used for carving the inside of bowls or making intricate cuts.
The spindle gouge, on the other hand, can be used to make wide cuts and shapes in a short period of time.
Uses:
A spindle gouge can be used on all types of shapes because the shape allows it to follow along curves easily without getting stuck inside them.
A spindle gouge is also used on convex surfaces, such as the outside of a bowl or the inside of an urn with wide sides and a largemouth. For those types of shapes, it’s often necessary to create hollows using light cuts so that they don’t become too heavy when carving from the center outwards.
The bowl gouge is preferred for deep cuts. It has a concave, scooping blade that is used to hollow out bowls or vases with an open top and flat bottom.
This tool can also be used to carve in relief on the outside of a round object, such as a sphere or ball. The shape of this tool makes it perfect for these jobs because the curve can make precise cuts into a piece with little effort.
Best use:
While both tools are used in similar ways, it’s best to choose the one that will work best with your project. If the surface you’re carving is concave, such as a bowl or vase, then use a bowl gouge.
If it’s convex, like a chair seat cushion or a drum head of an instrument, then go with the spindle gouge.
Advantages and Disadvantages of bowl gouge:
Advantages:
The bowl gouge is designed to work with the shape of a bowl. It’s versatile and easy to control, making it great for both shaping curves and finishing the top of a project.
A bowl gouge can be used to remove material quickly while turning a spindle.
Disadvantages:
The bowl gouge has a wide cutting tip, which means that it can’t get into tight spaces very easily and the bowl gouge is not effective in sharp cove valleys.
For tight detail, such as detailed carving or fine scrollwork, the bowl gouge is not generally the best tool you could use.
Advantages and Disadvantages of spindle gouge:
Advantages:
When you need to create intricate textures on the exterior of a bowl, such as an open texture, or detail work like diamond points, the spindle gouge is the perfect choice for these kinds of work.
An added advantage of the spindle gouge is that it doesn’t require frequent sharpening like other tools.
Disadvantages:
For detail work where you need to be able to cut all the way around a shape without needing to stop and change tools, such as when you’re doing profile cuts or inside hollows, the spindle gouge is not as good of a choice.
The spindle gouge tip can be broken easily if the blade grinds along the tool rest.
Final words:
We hope this blog post was helpful in explaining the difference between a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge.
It’s always good to know the differences between all the different types of tools for woodturning so that you can choose which one is right for your project!
Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy our content!