My immediate need is a quality roughing gouge. Would consider a Sorby, as would cut down on having to sharpen. Who has the best prices? My skews are OK... I find sharpening to be the biggest drag on the whole process....

Woodcraft.com.....get the Sorby tools! I like them! I have them in 2 sizes...having the 1/2" gouge and skew is nice for smaller/detail work!:uhuh: Ain't cheap but worth it..IMO!

Could try packard woodworks. Sorbys are M2 High speed steel which is a very good tool steel. You get even longer life when you get into M4 High speed steel or some of the more specialized high speed steels ..... That being said, most of my quality tools are M2 bought one at a time...

Packard Woodworks: The Woodturner's Source (http://www.packardwoodworks.com/)

Woodcrafters and Rocklers are both great. Try using your sanding unit to do your sharpening. A 150 grit to 500 grit belt works fine and a good stone takes the burrs off. Just keep a water or oil bath to keep tools cool while sharpening them. Ron

Thanks all. I've been roughing with a bowl gouge..... Thinking the 3/4 rough gouge will be a lot easier...

I use a One Way wolverine sharpening jig with my 6" grinder...since I do a lot of spindle and bowl turning i have a a few sharpening jigs for skews, gouges, and scrapers... I take the burr off with a leather wheel

Anybody have experience with carbide tips for tools, seen some online.

I love this one vacuum gouge, its M2

Vacuum Gouge Details Page (http://www.cleanturn.net/details.htm)