Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this week's Ask Martin question, Michael Wilson asked: What's the best angle for your bowl gouge, spindle gouge, and roughing gouge?The honest answer? There isn't one single "best" angle. But here's what I sharpen mine to, and why:
🔹 Spindle gouge → 40°
🔹 Bowl gouge → 50°
🔹 Spindle roughing gouge → 45°
The best angle is the one that lets you present the tool correctly, safely, and gets the result you're after. These are the angles I've settled on after years at the lathe, and the ones I use with students at The Woodturning School.
Got a question for me? Drop it in the comments 👇
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2025. All rights reserved.
In this week's Ask Martin question, Michael Wilson asked: What's the best angle for your bowl gouge, spindle gouge, and roughing gouge?The honest answer? There isn't one single "best" angle. But here's what I sharpen mine to, and why:
🔹 Spindle gouge → 40°
🔹 Bowl gouge → 50°
🔹 Spindle roughing gouge → 45°
The best angle is the one that lets you present the tool correctly, safely, and gets the result you're after. These are the angles I've settled on after years at the lathe, and the ones I use with students at The Woodturning School.
Got a question for me? Drop it in the comments 👇
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school
🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning
📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop
📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park.
🌐 msabansmith.com
Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith
Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool
Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith
Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool
The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2025. All rights reserved.
