Hi again,
thought I'd add my tupenny's worth.. STH writes "though I tend to work on the basis of 'this feels right' " which is I think how most turners work, might be good or .. bad; but we all develop our own styles.. after all we're all different - heights , stance etc & I bet that most turners have developed they're own sharpening styles and angles to their own needs. I myself sharpen by eye on a typical grinding wheel setup.. a long fingernail tip for a deep fluted bowl gouge and a short 75 degree(ish) edge on the wider rapid stock removing gouges. Just like you would sharpen general carpentry chisels.. the thinner the chisel(gouge) the longer the bevel is ground. Unlike the chisels though the gouge is presented to the workpiece very differently. To start off have the top of your tool rest at dead centre height. Carefully (especially if the surface to be cut is initially uneven) with the gouge resting almost on its side (right hand on the handle, left hand maintaining control of the gouge on the tool rest) bring the heel of the bevel into contact with the workpiece. If this is done correctly thus far there's absolutely no chance of the gouge digging in.. all that's happening is that the heel is rubbing the workpiece. Ok so now carefully and mainting control of the tip at the tool rest, move the angle of the gouge in relation to the workpiece so that the whole of the back of the bevel is now rubbing against it. Again this is completely safe if done correctly because the gouge is almost on its side with the cutting edge curved upwards and away from the workpiece. So now you're ready to begin cutting.. slowly and whilst pushing the gouge in the direction you're hollowing out, rotate the gouge so that the upwards edge of the tip rotates into the work and produces a very thin (very thin) shaving. that is if your gouge is sharp, you'll know if it's not because you'll be producing dust rather than shavings. Continue that way until you're confident you have it right and then you'll be able to alter the rotation of the gouge to remove larger shavings.
I mentioned scraping in my prior posting.. really it's a case of horses for courses. Shaving is easier (the reverse of using the gouge.. dragging the scraper towards you along the workpiece to remove stock) although you'll never achieve as fine a finish with a scraper so be prepared with loads of abrasive paper! I have to say though that in the end the result is the same.
Blimey.. I hope you followed all that Colin.. would have been easier to draw a picture I think!
Regards,
Dave