Skew chisel

Ride the Bevel

TD

>You must roll the skew as you move it forward. Try using only the bottom half of the skew and watch that you keep the bevel rubbing.

TD

Re: Skew chisel

Carl Bordelon

>Don't get discouraged.Most people have trouble with the skew.

I use mine with the long end on the rest.Ride the bevel is an understatement.Keep it in contact at all times when using a skew.Start practicing with the tool almost vertical,rolling it in the direction the bottom is pointing.As you build confidence start using a little more angle.

I am no pro by any means,but that is how I taught myself to use a skew.

Maybe others have a better method.

Re: Skew chisel

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Don, I suggest using the skew every time you turn, before you start whatever project you are working on. put on a practice piece of scrap, and observe what effect different inputs have on the tool's behavior. You will find the tool is well behaved as long as the bevel is rubbing.

Practice going from right to left, then left to right. Straight, tapers, and beads. When you master these, turn spheres. Eventually, with practice, you will be able to use the tool by feel, with your eyes closed. NOT kidding! good luck.

Re: Skew chisel

Georg Waldhof

>What a sweet wife you have ;)

Mine did something similar, but it mostly involved tolerating me buying an old Oliver 2159, which I can't seem to quit talking about. Major step up.

As far as the skew goes, I like to slightly arch the bevel. I seem to do better keeping it in control, etc. This technique was made popular by Richard Raffan, and I think its even called a Raffan grind - or something.

Also, another trick I've used for years and I noticed showed up recently in Fine Woodworking is to use a hand plane to smooth up turnings (no good for beads, unless you get a specialized plane). The throat control means there is little chance of gouging (although one should be careful not to catch the corner of the blade). Use the plane at an angle to the turning and it works with amazing ease and effectiveness. A well honed and adjusted plane can smooth a turning to the point of almost eliminating sanding.

Good luck, have fun, and the more you do, the better you will get.

George

Re: Skew chisel

Terry Quiram

>Don

The skew is a tough animal to control. Like you I am still learning and make goof ups all the time. One thing I have learned is the skew needs to be razor sharp.

Terry

Skew Chsiel

TomW in SouthJersey

>I'm also new to turning and am having trouble with the skew. After making so many mistakes with it and ruining or at least causing me to alter the design of a piece I had considered banning the Skew to the far side of the shop/garage.

I'll try the suggestions offered. I hate to give up on something. I've read that it can be a very versatile tool. I have the Raffin DVD and he made it look so easy.

Here's a wine bottle holder/coaster I made for a friend. The reason it is smaller at the base is my skew took a 1/4 inch deep chunk out.

Practice, practice I guess. Thanks for the advice. Everything I know about turning I learned here.

Tom

Re: Skew Chsiel

Bill Howatt

>If your piece is laminated planks with end-grain I wouldn't consider using a skew chisel on it. Once the end-grain comes around it will catch very easy since while skew is sharp it isn't sharp enough to cut the end-grain IMO.

This is my take on the matter. If I am wrong will somebody please take the time to correct me. I like the skew but I only use it on genuine grain-parallel-the-bed center work.

BIll

Re: Skew chisel

Ken

>I have experienced all of the problems with the skew and was near giving up when I had an offer from a member of our club to come to his shop for some instruction. In less than 15 minutes I was using the skew as I had only dreamed possible. So, my suggestion is to look for an experienced turner and see if they will provide a bit of teaching. And then practice, practice, practice.

Re: Skew Chsiel

john Lucas

>I agree

I almost never use a skew on a bowl unless it's to cut a detail. I can do all I want on a bowl with the bowl gouge or spindle gouge.

Re: Skew chisel

Wood Spinner

>Possibly as Ken said "get help".

I have been turning for about 10 years and still only use the skew as a detail tool. I do not have the patience to learn that skill.

I hold my gouge very low and use the edge of it as a skew and it works for me.

Good turning and be safe

Bill in Casa Grande, AZ.

Re: Skew chisel

john Lucas

>Don

I turn with the skew a lot. My suggestions are to practice a lot on scrap wood. Find someone who uses the skew successfully and have them watch you. The skew needs to be very sharp. I find that many people push the skew through the work to fast. Slow down and let it cut. This is especially true when turning beads. If your not getting a shiny almost polished look from the skew then it isn't sharp enough and you are probably forcing the cut.

Stay on the lower 1/3 of the skew edge when cutting. If you let the cut get above the center point of the cutting edge you rish a nasty catch. This works well whether you cut with the toe down or heel down.

When I haven't been turning for a week or so I'll put a scrap piece in the lathe and turn with the skew first. I start by turning a cylinder then cut V cuts followed by beads. I usually get some catches because I'm trying to hard. After a couple of trys I start to relax and get control again.

I always had trouble with the skew. I could turn 4 out of 5 beads but I would screw up the 5th one. then one day I just sort of got it and now I'll go through quite a few before I blow one.

Reflecting back I think the problem is knowing where the bevel is. It's on the bottom of the skew and this makes it harder to "feel" or see. Once you are able to visualize this bevel it's easier to control the skew. Now what I do is visualize this bevel and how it's riding the wood. This helps me move the handle far enough to keep the bevel in control of the cut.

Re: Skew chisel

Keith Tompkins

>Don, where are you from?

Re: Skew chisel

Don Johnson

>Hi Keith,

I live in Simi Valley, CA which is just north of Los Angeles. I belong to the Conejo Valley Woodworkers which is having a meeting on Thurs. I hope I can find someone there to help me! Thanks.