Skewed over Parting

Re: Skewed over Parting

Fog Tanner

>When I first started to learn using the skew I started with one that was ground straight like yours. I learned to use it then put a slight radius on it. This is much less prone to catchs, with the same angle. But, if I put too sharp of an angle it catchs more than a straight edge. I use the Tormek to sharpen my tools, so I have a jig which puts the same angle and radius each time. The angle that works for me is forty degrees. At thirty degrees, I get catchs, and fifty is too much for a good cut. I have some skews with rounded edges which are supposed to be better for rolling beads, but I havn't found much of a difference and interchange both. I occasionally use other people tools at a retreat or picnic and it comes in handy being able to use a straight cut skew and not being dependant on the radius grind. It just takes lots and lots of practice pieces.

I found out from Stuart Batty, that Sorby leaves the last two inches of the tool unhardened. The idea being that the tool will bend and not break in a real sever catch. He has a roughing gouge that someone used on a bowl as an example. It bent just in front of the handle.

Re: Skewed over Parting

Ken from SW WI

>I recently reground my skew from straight to curved and am glad I did--it made a big difference especially in the rolling cut, cutting convex curves.

My grinder has big flat toolrests, and I hollow-ground my skew on a 6" wheel. 8" would be better, but I don't have that yet. I ground the edge shape straight across first, then set the toolrest for an angle which gives a bevel length of 1 1/2 times the blade. It took at least a half hour to get the bevels ground where the edges meet in center.

Previously, I had ground the bevels flat on the side of the wheel, but I found the hollow grind to be much better for honing. I also polish the wheel on an MDF wheel charged with white polishing compound, only takes a few seconds and is well worth it.

Re: Skewed over Parting *LINK*

Tom Mullane

>Take a look at Alan Lacer's site.. he is the master of teaching the skew, IMHO. His video "Skew Chisel: The Darkside & The Sweet Side" should be in the library of anyone wanting to perfect the skew. He only uses a radius ground skew and his video shows you how to do it properly...


Alan Lacer

Re: Skewed over Parting

Barry Irby

>I use an angled skew that I have curved similar to Richard Raffin. I like it, but it seems to work better in his hands than mine. Hmmm, Maybe that's why he is Richard Raffin and I'm not.

I did round off the corners along the length of the blade, with some trepidation, but that was a good move. The corners were sharp and prone to grab on the rest.

Why can't you knock the handle off your bent parting tool, heat it with a propane torch and straighten it. Super glue it back into the handle. I would take a whack at it based on the idea that you can't break something that is already broken.