Bowl Turning Tool List

Quantity	Size/Grade	Tool or Item	Comments
*Tools:*
1	1/2"	Deep Fluted Bowl Gouge	Ernie recommends Henry Taylor's Superflute (or better the Staysharp), Sorby, Crown, Carter & Son or Doug Thompson or D-Way.
1	1/16" to 1/8"	Parting Tool (Cutoff Tool)	A diamond shape is better than rectangular for faceplate work but hard to find less than 1/8" in width these days.
1	4" to 6"	Calipers	Good for checking diameters and wall thicknesses, but don't rush and buy.
1	4" to 6"	Dividers	Size refers to length of legs and a small pair is better. Good for stepping off distances, but a ruler and a pencil will do the job fine.
1	1/2"	Round Nose Scraper	We will regrind this into an immensely useful scraper for making and fitting chucks
1	1/2"	*Spindle Gouge	(You will not use this tool much in this class so do not rush out and buy one) We will teach you how to put a correct fingernail grind on it so you can depart with a correctly sharpened tool.
*Other Items:*
1		Dust Mask	Very nice when sanding. Automotive paper masks are adequate but respirator is better.
1		Face Shield	Must have for bowl turning, see safety glasses
1		Notebook
1		Pencil
1	Folding or 12" Steel	Ruler
1		**Safety Glasses	You must have a minimum of safety glasses, Most prescription glasses are safety lenses, but need side shields to be true safety. If in doubt bring face shield to go over glasses.
2 sheets	60g to 80g	Sandpaper	Ernies favorite is Norton 3X. Also good is Klingspore PS 33 in a B weight which is a stearated, open coat, aluminum oxide paper.
2 sheets	120g to 180g	Sandpaper	See above
2 Sheets	220g	Sandpaper	See above
*Nice to have but not Necessary:*
1	1/4" or 3/8"	Deep Fluted Bowl Gouge	1/4" is the handier of the two
1	1" or wider	Dome Scraper	Good for final shaping of bowls

**You must wear safety glasses that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards in the shop at all times. For non-prescription glasses, the meeting of this standard will be indicated on the packaging. If you wear prescription glasses, your optometrist can fit you with a pair of Z87.1 rated glasses along with the required side shields (which are generally removable). Z87.1 safety glasses have deeper channels in the frame that retain the lens during an accident combined with polycarbonate lenses that will not shatter. As an alternative to obtaining prescription safety glasses, a good set of goggles that fits over most standard prescription glasses and meets the Z87.1 standards. Such goggles can be found at Airware America for less than $10.

You will also be required to wear a full-face shield that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards when using the grinder or in some types of turning. We strongly recommend the Uvex Bionic Face Shield with Clear Polycarbonate Anti-fog Hard Coat Visor. The best price we have found for this item is at Amazon. The Uvex shield is Z87.1+, rated, a higher standard than Z87.1.

*Ernie firmly believe that gouges are the most important tools in a turner's kit. We further believe that a gouge's shape, as well as how it is sharpened, is of vital importance. Not all gouges are created equal, and a badly made gouge will simply frustrate your learning process.

Brand names that we have found to be reliable over the years are Hamlet, Sorby, Henry Taylor, Crown, Packard and the Woodturning Store. Boutique makers are Doug Tompson, Carter & Son and D-way. If you have tools please bring them, for often they will do fine. Do not be afraid to email or call to talk about tools if you do not think yours are adequate.

If you purchase new tools to bring with you we ask that you do not sharpen them before arrival. We spend the first couple of hours explaining the correct grind for each tool and teaching you to duplicate that grind.

For all tools we recommend the purchase of HSS (High Speed Steel) tools, especially those made from M42. HSS will pay back dividends many times over and you turn faster because less time is spent grinding. Since you do not have to worry abut overheating HSS tools much of the worry is taken out of the sharpening process.

The best preparation for this class is to read Ernie Conover's turning books all of which are published by Taunton Press. The textbook for the class is the 3nd edition of The Lathe Book and an autographed copy can be ordered from our store. Turn a Bowl with Ernie Conover is also available from our website or Taunton Press. Additionally watching Ernie's many YouTube videos may be helpful. They can be seen on our YouTube Chanel. There is a play list there for the many videos he has done for Woodworker's Journal Magazine for which he has written a turning column for the last then years.