Arch,

We don't know eachother. I read your post and enjoy them. I am not a
product of the depression but my wife encourages me to spend within my
limits, and enjoy the financal blessings I have received in my life.
I had been using 14" long Crapsman I got from my Dad's estate and was
doing well with them. I was using a roughing gouge for everything,
bowls, spindels, segment turning. I was happy. I kept hearing about
this "bowl gouge" stuff on this NG.
I decided to get one. I spent $170 bucks for a set of Sorby just to
get the bowl gouge out of it (especially when I looked at my Crapsman
gouge and it was bent about 15 degrees, unknowingly)!
The Sorby was great but I was turing 19" stuff. Needed a long and
strong.
I wrasseled with what to get.
I was set on the Crown PM 5/8" Ellsworth grind. I was set to order
when I started reading the Glaser posts.
I ordered the 5/8" Glaser.
It makes large turning so effortless IMHO. I used to have to stop and
rest my hands or arms (From vibration, or stress)while turning a bowl.
With the Glaser, there is none of that. The handle dampens the
vibration.
The edge that comes on it is as sharp as it can be. I used it to set
up my vari-grind and I reground my Sorby to the same edge.
I have had my PM 3520 for almost a year now, and the Glaser just makes
my hobby even more enjoyable. I never sell anything I make. I just
give it away, and having a tool which dramatically speeds up the time,
quality and pleasure of turning, allows me to give more away sooner.
I wish I had got it sooner. (Sorry I keep using sooner, but I live in
Oklahoma and my daughter goes to OU, Sooner is better!) It really
holds an edge. They guy at Cutting Edge who I talked to on the phone,
did a good job comparing the Crown PM and the like to the Glaser. He
had tried them all and told me it was the best on the market, and I
wouldn't be disappointed.
I don't think you will be disappointed.
It is almost the same argument I went through when I got my cabinet
saw. Jet, Delta, Grizzly, or PM 66. Finally some guy cleared it all
up for me. No one who buys a Powermatic 66 wishes they had purchased
a Jet, Delta, or Grizzly.

RP