Flexcut V gouges

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi gang,
I am having and have in the past had trouble with the flexcut V gouges. Not only the mallet tools but also the SK heads for the reciprocating carvers. What is happening to me is that one side of the blade breaks away It has happened to me so many times I have lost count. I just sent two back to Flexcut and they tell me that only one was manufacturers defect and the other was not. I have never abused these tools and it only happens to the V gouges. This is the the second time they have sent them back and tell me that is not manuafacturers defect. I have also asked them if it is anything that I am doing and they dont give me an answer. Just wondering if any one else has had this problem or is it just me?
Colin

[BobD]

Hi Colin,
Unfortunately, physics is working against you when it comes to V-tools. There is incredible pressure on the bottom of the V (it I remember correctly, that's where your tools are breaking).

I could probably figure out the math, but suffice to say, there is probably 100 times the pressure on the tip of the V for ever additional 1/8" depth of cut. Basically, you are creating a wedge of wood that puts enormous pressure on both sides of the V.

V-tools today are just not designed to take deep cuts.

You might try removing most of the waste with a deep gouge, and just going back in with a V-tool to make the "V" groove (like you use for hair).

Alternatively, maybe you can get someone to make a bunch of heavy-duty V-tools that you can use with a mallet or reciprocating carver to make deep cuts.

Bob

[Ashbys]

Colin ,

Flex-cut tools are stamped spring steel. The process it's self is one of changing the properties of the steel. I am amazed they said anything . Ask them to send it back to you so you can have a lab test the steel. So you can find out why one was defective and the other was not.

Since Flex cut seems to have no answer as to what caused the breakage , then perhaps you can get an answer as to what caused the tool to break. I would think the answer will be the steel was over stressed.

One thing you might consider , see if you can find a forged tool that can be modifed to attach . It would give you a stronger tool . Might check a local smith to make you one. A bit expensive but would last for years.

Ash

[Canopener]

Colin,
I think you got good answers from Bob and Ash. I am curious as to why you are not sticking to your Phiell's, are you having the same problem with them? I also was thinking that the flex would get tiresome in the heavy work that you do. IMHO, flexcuts have good points and bad, but I have slowly been replacing mine, esp the v-tools.
One last thought; somewhere along the line I read that the only true V-cut can be made by a flat [#1] chisel or skew chisel. One of those comments that stays in the back of your mind and I can't remember who said it. Maybe a slight change in your tools and technique would bypass the whole problem.
Good Luck,
Jim

[Claude]

Colin:
I think BobD has the answer...stress is not a linear function. A solution might be take shallower cuts, particularly when using a mallet or power.

Claude

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I wonder if you are twisting it in the process? I had a flexcut break, one that I use in the ryobi reciprocal, chipped, but that was from a knot/or hard place in the wood, they replaced it...it wasn't a v tool tho....I did have a problem with a Warren v palm tool that did that, but it was defective and they replaced it.....the flexcut steel is brittle if twisted or flicked, or any of the many things we do....lol....hope you didn't let the grandson open a can of paint!

[Cottonwood]

A friend from northern Italy told me many years ago to use a flat skew in place of a V gouge. I ignored his advice for several years because I thought that a V gouge just has to be more efficient than making two cuts with a flat skew. About five years ago I began using a flat skew and a knife more and now I use them almost exclusively. I have found that you can make relatively deep cuts and adjust the angle of the trough to your liking without a thought of breaking your tool and you aren't limited to makeing a cut which both sides of the trough match or are at the same angle. Using two cuts to make a trough even allows you to cut with the grain on both sides of the trough. This is really helpful if you are working with a rebellious wood such as cottonwood bark. It does take some getting used to, though.

[BobD]

Millard...that is fascinating! Can you snap a few photos showing how to use a skew like that?

Bob

[Just Carving]

Using the skew is similar to using a mill knife (or in my case, a modified putty knife) to carve the v letters like I did on my signs when I first started carving. I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place since I don't like using the v-tool.

Knife (blue handle):
All done! - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

Signs:
Signs - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery