What's askew with my skew?

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Greg W. in NC

>Susie,

It is nice that the skew can double as a texturing tool.....but it's just difficult to control when you want the texturing! :)

I recommend Raffan's video - 'Turning Wood'. I got his earlier book on the same, and that helped quite a bit, but the video shows the actual movement and use.

There could be multiple reasons for your getting the spiraling, and even experts don't really agree on what causes it at times. Vibration in the piece, dull tool, particular wood type, angle of approach, etc, all can affect it.

I do use a tool nearly exclusively on most of my smaller spindle work, and I will say that with practice, you'll improve. I do think a video, or a book at a minimum, is well worth getting. Mike Darlow (I think that's his name) also has a book out that others highly recommend, but I've not seen it. Good luck, and don't throw the skew out yet! (or, if you do, let me know where you throw it!) :)

Re: What's askew with my skew? *LINK*

Fred Holder

>The skew is often difficult to use. A round skew would likely be easier to use while learning. Even the most experienced people sometimes get some wild catches with a skew.

Alan Lacer has done a very fine video on the skew: "Skew Chisel: The Dark Side and the Sweet Side". He has also just come out with a follow up video: "Son of Skew Video". I havn't seen this one, but I did write a review on his first one. It is an excellent video.


Fred Holders Domain Site

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Susie M.

>Thanks Fred and Greg. I will check out the sources for these references. Till I get it figured out I might just be doing a lot of sanding. I'm wondering if it's related to the grain of the wood. I think a little more practice on some firewood might be in order.

Thanks,

Susie

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Richard Allen

>Alan Lacer has a terrific Vedio on the use of the skew.

I like using a skew for the same reasons that you like using the skew. Nothing leaves as nice a finish as a skew. The keys to using a skew are sharpness and support.

I will usualy hone my skew so that it is sharp. I do not hone my other tools so you would be right in saying that my skew is the sharpest tool I turn with.

I try to use the bevel of the skew to help support the cut as I go. I try to keep the cutting part of the tool the best supported part of the tool with reguard to tool rest.

I find working above the centerline helps.

What helps the most is looking at what happens when I get a catch and try to determine how it happened.

The skew work is almost always the first work I do once the piece is round. That way when the skew goes wild it is damaging wood that I will be removing latter anyway.

Good Luck

Richard

Re: What's askew with my skew?

John Lucas

>Suzie

I would second, or third or 4th whatever Alan Lacers video. It's excellent. If you ever have a chance to see George Hatfield do so. He is an excellent teacher of the use of the skew.

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Susie M.

>I guess I am striking out on finding this Alan Lacer video. Does anyone have a link to where I can find it?

I did find the Raffan book from several sources.

Re: What's askew with my skew? *LINK*

CoryO

>You can order Alans video directly from him at his web site.


http://www.alanlacer.com

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Danny Wells

>Susie,

One of Raffan's books has a good diagram on the position of the skew relative to the tool rest and the cutting edge to the wood. The diagram really helped me a lot. If you can picture the point where the skew touches the tool rest as a fulcrum of a lever, the further this point is away (toward the tool handle)from the point the cutting edge contacts the wood the better (up to a point)and the more control you have because of the leverage. The closer that fulcrum point is to the point of contact of the cutting edge the less control you have of the blade and the more vertical the blade will be presented to the wood, and the more likely a catch.

Being able to ride the bevel is extremely important with the skew. It does take practice and a constant watch of those angles until you get the feel of it.

It also helps to think of presenting the blade of skew to the wood at an angle similar that of presenting the blade of a carving knife to a piece of wood when you are whittling. Whittling is easier if the motion is a slicing motion rather than pushing the blade into the wood at a 90 degree angle. The same is true of the skew. The only difference is that the wood is spinning.

I hope this helps. The diagram in the book would probably be more helpful than my description.

Just keep practicing and remember, its only firewood.

Danny

Alan Lacer

John Cahall

>I own both videos and Alan is easy to follow and very "new skew user" friendly. the skew has become my friend because of Alan.

Re: What's askew with my skew?

Brad

>There is a very good article on improving your "skew skills" in the December 2000 Fine Woodworking magazine. You might try your local library to see if they have a copy. If you can't find one e-mail me and I'll see if I can scan it and send to you via e-mail.