finally becoming more confident with the skew

[sbwertz]

After six years, I am finally becoming more confident using the skew on something larger than a pen blank! For years I've been living in terror of the dreaded spiral catch....with good reason.

For the first three years I turned, I used it only for v grooves for beads and squaring the ends of pieces. Then I started using it flat on the rest like a scraper. But I avoided using it like a SKEW. Part of that was because the only skew I had was the half inch one that came with my original Crown basic turning set. It caught REALLY easily.

But I finally decided that I was just going to have to bite the bullet and force myself to become competent with the tool. For the last year, I've used the skew for all my pen turning (except for knocking the corners off the blank) and I am quite comfortable now working on small diameter stock with my oval 1" skew. But I was still really tense using it on something like a peppermill. But I've used it more and more since the first of the year. (It didn't quite give me ulcers...but it came close!) The larger tool made all the difference in the world (thank you to whatever member it was who suggested that I get an oval one!)

So I want to encourage those of you who are new to turning, to grit your teeth and go ahead and use the skew. Get one at least an inch wide, though. They don't catch nearly as easily as the little half inch ones. And I can recommend the oval skew. It works for me. And nothing gives that satin finish that requires almost no sanding like a good, sharp skew.

 

[alphageek]

Good for you Sharon!!! I can relate completely. I almost cringe when someone comes in and swears the flat skew is the ONLY good skew because it has to sit flat on the rest. My favorite skew is an oval as well, and it is a lifesaver in many conditions. By eliminating much of the sanding, it allows for segmented woods with much less chance of contamination across the colors.

An oval skew is by far my favorite tool for the lathe once I got the knack of it.

 

[D.Oliver]

It does take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it.........

 

[JimB]

I also had many years of frustration with the skew. Finally, last December, I spent about 6 hours with a member of the local turning club at his studio. Most of that time was him teaching me to use a skew and me practicing. Now, although not an expert, I can do any cut I want and repeat it with confidence.

I use a flat skew not an oval. The person who trained me has both but uses mostly the flat skew and that is what he taught me with since I don't own an oval.

 

[jttheclockman]

Been preaching those words for quite awhile here. Yes a small object like a pen will give the knowledge to watch where the cutting edge is and this will translate to larger project. Yes it will take a larger skew but the principle is the same. You can save so much sanding time and frustration. Good for you.

 

[Charlie_W]

GO SHARON!!!!


May the bevel be with you!:biggrin:

 

[Mr Vic]

Our January AAW Chapter meeting Demo was on using the skew on a 2x2 foot long practice stick. Our subject matter expert recommended 10 to no more then 20 minutes of practice before you turn anything else. I made it the presidents challenge for our February meeting a quite a few met the challenge and admitted it helped them a lot. I use my 1" flat skew more then any other tool in my shop. Use my 1/2 in ovals for finish work. Practice, practice and then some more...

 

[sbwertz]

I made an ash cane yesterday...entirely with the skew. I knocked the corners off with the table saw before I started. Using the skew really reduced the sanding time. I also used my little pneumatic sander with a 2" disk. Worked a treat. (My new PSI steady rest helped a lot. This is the third cane I have used it on and I really like it.)

I use a little colonial maple stain on the ash to give it some color, and I have learned to wipe on a little stain to make the scratches really show up. Then I use the little air sander to sand them all out.