Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew *LINK*
john lucas
This is a fabulous video. I have been playing with this technique off and on for about a year and it really works and is probably easier for new turners to master. I've been doing it the old way which is rolling the tool from the top for too many years and still feel more comfortable with that but this method is really cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT685pqZazk
Re: Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew
John K Jordan
Thanks for that, excellent. He makes it look easy!
I see he's using the 1/2" oval skew - I've never used one (I have some wider oval skews) but I've heard they make cuts like this easier. Is that true?
I want to watch him sharpening next.
I've never seen anyone turn the spindle gouge upside down to start a cut like he did with the inside of the bird's beak on the deep cove. Looks like a 1/4" spindle gouge? I recently read or heard someone say a 1/4" spindle gouge was useless since it wasn't strong enough to avoid vibration in the shaft - they said stick to 3/8" or larger. Like many things when someone says "always..." or "don't ever..." it depends on what is turned and who is turning. I use the 1/4" spindle gouge a lot for detail.
JKJ
Re: Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew
john lucas
I learned on an Oval skew and still use it a lot. I don't see any difference in handling. I switch back and forth between that skew and my Thompson and really don't think about it or notice any difference in handling. Both are the same size blade length but the Thompson is thicker. Maybe I'm not aggressive enough but I don't notice any flex or chatter in the Oval skew that is supposed to happen.
I have spindle gouges down to 3/32. You do have to be careful how far you hang them over the tool rest but I'm almost always using the smaller ones to cut deep really thin coves so you have to hang them over. The flex starts when the flute aproaches the 12 oclock position at the bottom of the cove. Up until that point they cut quite well. I still like my Thompson 3/8" detail gouge for deep coves as long as they aren't too narrow.
Re: Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew
Mike Stafford
Magic, this gentleman is a magician with a skew. I can turn a bead with skew but I have to really think about each one.
I don't know if you guys watch the videos from Steve Jones, an English turner, that are posted on Facebook.
He is also a magician with a skew.
Re: Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew
John K Jordan
A guy here who came to my shop for lessons said he "took a weeklong class with [Curtis] in Jonesborough in 2016. ... It was a great week. We made sack back Windsors. He has great skills and he is quite a craftsman and artist"
BTW, off the topic but do you know anyone looking for a PM3520b? The Knoxville club sent out a note about someone wanting to sell one, still in the crate, $3500.
Great Video
jake niedling
His skill with the skew is amazing. An excellent video with great explanation along with his turning demonstration. Thanks for sharing. Now wheres my 3/8" detail gouge. 
Re: Curtiss Buchannan turning beads with skew
John lucas
I took a class from curtis maybe 20 some odd years ago. Sit in that chair every night for dinner. I highly recommend his classes. It taught me how to carve. When you do that seat you remove a lot of material. You learn to read the grain which is really important to carving.
The Skew Chisel with Allan Batty *LINK*
David Walser
John -- Thank you for linking to Curtis's excellent video. Since others have contributed additional skew video offerings, allow me to add this one from Allan Batty. The information in the video is excellent. However, Allan manages to make my high school math teacher seem exciting in comparison. Have a cup of coffee handy.
Despite the 'dry presentation style' I still recommend the video. Allan shows how to make all the basic cuts with the skew and explains very clearly how the edge should contact the wood. It will save you a lot of grief in learning to use this important tool.
The Skew Chisel with Allan Batty