Use of Skew on pen turning

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

Fog Tanner

>I only use skews for turning pens. I use 1/2" the most followed by a 1" for getting the blank round and then the 3/4". I don't really care for the oval skews. I've used them, but I like the rectangular cross sectioned ones better. The oval was supposed to be better for rolling beads ( I never found any advantage), but you are mainly using a planing cut in making pens.

I learned to use the skew from the Raffan Turning Wood and Turning Wood project videos, a hands on workshop with Raffan and lots of practice (what I need is a video on using the gouge). Find the angles and profile that works for you and practice a lot. I use a 40 degree angle and a slight radius on all my skews. This is just what works well for me and your needs may be different.

A good way to practice is to get a light pull drive. This is a friction drive that will let the piece slip when you get a catch and you can analyze what you did wrong without the trama that goes with the tool spiraling out. You can be fast and loose, you just have to remember to be careful when you go back to a postive drive.

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

Tom Mullane

>The Alan Lacer video was the best teacher on using the skew I ever saw... especially for learning the planing cut used for pen making and also for sharpening and tuning your skew... well worth the price...

I only use a skew for pens.. if used properly you can almost totally eliminate sanding with grits courser than 320...

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

Ron in Drums PA

>When I turn pens I use a deep fluted 3/4" roughing gouge. I use the sides of the gouge as a skew.

This slimline was turn only using a roughing gouge

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

John Lucas

>Ron

You da man. I do use the skew a lot but lately I've been using a Sorby miniature rough out gouge to do smaller pieces. It handles nicely and you can still use the wings as a skew to clean up long tapered areas.

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

Fred in NC

>I do most of my pen work with a gouge too. It has a small fingernail profile. After roughing a bit, I use the gouge as a skew, same as descibed above by Ron.

A lot of my pens are done with that tool alone. Keeping it sharp helps, but with this technique the edge lasts longer.

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning

Joe Herrmann

>I don't use an oval skew; mine is the 3/4" Raffan grind. However, I found that the skew was the tool of choice when using acetates. I was able to get 8' long shavings from the plastic blanks. Loads of fun!

Joe

Re: Use of Skew on pen turning *LINK*

Russ Fairfield

>There are some photos and a description for using the skew for pen turning on my website.

There is a lot about sharpening and using the skew on a video that you can purchase while you are there. Putting a video stream with a quality picture on a website requires a lot more gigabites than I am willing to pay for.


http://www.woodturner-russ.com/Pen10.html