Skew?

[jttheclockman]

I just watched a video on FB of a guy who used the back planning method when using a skew. He would pull the skew backwards and it would cut ribbons like butter. There was no voice so he did not explain how he ground the skew but question, has anyone done this before?? I can see this would prevent dig ins. He put pressure on the skew with is fingers to keep it steady. pretty neat.

 

[Mortalis]

Can you link the video?
I dont believe a skew will cut at all if you just run it backwards.

 

[NJturner]

The skew is the primary tool I use in my shop - I have rounded and square ones that cut equally well with a pull cut (backwards as you say) or push cut (forwards) - it is just a matter of positioning the cutting edge properly on the surface of the item being turned. Unless I am mis-interpreting your description of the video, these are pretty common cuts with a skew. The angle of the cutting edge to the workpiece matters more than the direction - everything just has to meet at the sharp edge of the tool.

 

[Roly]

The skew is the primary tool I use in my shop - I have rounded and square ones that cut equally well with a pull cut (backwards as you say) or push cut (forwards) - it is just a matter of positioning the cutting edge properly on the surface of the item being turned. Unless I am mis-interpreting your description of the video, these are pretty common cuts with a skew. The angle of the cutting edge to the workpiece matters more than the direction - everything just has to meet at the sharp edge of the tool.

Right all the way and the last sentence says it all.

 

[duncsuss]

Perhaps you were watching Steve Jones - "The Woodturners" on Facebook. It took me a long time to get any shavings at all that way, but I kept watching his videos and trying to copy his tool presentation. Eventually I managed it - doesn't work every time, but if I focus I can make shavings in both directions (without turning the tool around to face the other way!)

Edit - his Youtube channel, lots of skew videos: https://www.youtube.com/@woodturner21

 

[jttheclockman]

It was on FB. I did not get a name because as I said now words were exchanged. When I said he was using the skew to cut backwards I mean he was dragging the skew away from the cutting edge. Unless he had a bur on the back side from the direction he sharpens the skew, maybe that is the answer. I wish I paid more attention but my brother called me. I will try to hunt it down again.

 

[Mortalis]

132K views · 1.3K reactions | Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce any vibration. Works gr

Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce...

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I dont see how this is possible.

 

[jttheclockman]

132K views · 1.3K reactions | Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce any vibration. Works gr

Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce...

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I dont see how this is possible.

That is it. Good find. The only thing I can think of is when you sharpen the skew if you do not hone it on both sides one side is going to have the burrs. Just rub you finger over the sharpened edge but do not cut yourself. You will see one side has the burr.

 

[duncsuss]

132K views · 1.3K reactions | Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce any vibration. Works gr

Shown full speed & super slow motion, KD Maple, When you have some wavy grain you can find it will only cut clean in one direction. So here I’m using the pull planing cut and hand steady to reduce...

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I dont see how this is possible.

But it is, and I've done it.

 

[jttheclockman]

But it is, and I've done it.

Are we correct about the burr then? I am going to have to try this. Talk about not getting a catch and blowout if making final passes of a pen blank.

 

[duncsuss]

That is it. Good find. The only thing I can think of is when you sharpen the skew if you do not hone it on both sides one side is going to have the burrs. Just rub you finger over the sharpened edge but do not cut yourself. You will see one side has the burr.

Nothing to do with a burr (this is a cutting tool, not a scraper.)

 

[duncsuss]

Are we correct about the burr then? I am going to have to try this. Talk about not getting a catch and blowout if making final passes of a pen blank.

You might want to practice on a stack of throw-away blanks before trying it on something you care about

 

[jttheclockman]

You might want to practice on a stack of throw-away blanks before trying it on something you care about

Oh will do that for sure but looks like a nice method if it can work well.

 

[jttheclockman]

Nothing to do with a burr (this is a cutting tool, not a scraper.)

I understand that but to be a cutting tool in this form you need a cutting edge and to me the burr provides that. I will definetly play around with this idea.

 

[duncsuss]

Oh will do that for sure but looks like a nice method if it can work well.

I understand that but to be a cutting tool in this form you need a cutting edge and to me the burr provides that. I will definetly play around with this idea.

Watch more videos by Steve Jones. He uses this technique for speed mostly, but in the video clip that Mortalis posted he says he did it because he wasn't getting the surface finish he wanted going in the normal direction, so he tried doing it in reverse and the result was better.

 

[PreacherJon]

I just watched a video on FB of a guy who used the back planning method when using a skew. He would pull the skew backwards and it would cut ribbons like butter. There was no voice so he did not explain how he ground the skew but question, has anyone done this before?? I can see this would prevent dig ins. He put pressure on the skew with is fingers to keep it steady. pretty neat.

I would guess he had a good burr on the tip of that skew.

 

[JohnU]

Dick Sing has a 2 part video on using the skew that I learned on. It's part of a channel that has lots of "how to" videos and several from him on different turnings he does. Here's a link to 1 of 2 on the skew on the channel for anyone interested…

Every time I get around him and talk shop I realize he's probably forgotten more than I'll ever know. I think "precision" is probably his middle name. Lol

 

[Mortalis]

.

 

[Mortalis]

The slice is coming from the sharpened edge on the top of the skew. If it was a burr it would be coming from the bottom and would gum up the process. Since a few have seen him do this I can only imagine that he is not riding the bevel on the back plane and keeping the skew moving is key to properly achieve this. I would need to study this a bit more to be more concise.

 

[Mortalis]

I would look at this as more of a gimmick style rather than a productive one. He states the piece has wavy grain and will only have a good finish in one direction. Then just turn the skew over and move in that one direction. Less chance of damaging the piece and much more standardized way of achieving the same results. To state it saves time is untrue if you are that good. He must be counting seconds not minutes.
If you want to watch someone use a skew effectively as a production turner then watch Richard Raffan or Tomislav Tomasic.

 

[randyrls]

I mean he was dragging the skew away from the cutting edge. Unless he had a bur on the back side from the direction he sharpens the skew, maybe that is the answer. I wish I paid more attention but my brother called me. I will try to hunt it down again.

I sometimes pull the tip of gouges away from the cutting edge. It reduces the aggressiveness of the cut. You must control the tip because the tip can "skate" backwards.

I use a flat grind on my skews. It makes them less "grabby".
Hollow grind: most aggressive, most grabby, more sharp
Flat Grind: Less aggressive, less grabby, less sharp
Convex Grind: Least aggressive, least grabby, not sharp, hand grind

 

[Dieseldoc]

When I started wood tuning in late 70's, the shew was not used as I would always get catches.
So in the early 80"s I attended a class at Craft Supplies , Utah that was put on by the Master turner. Richard Raffin.
Not only did he show and teach how turn different vessels but to understand how any why each tool is to be used. Very first this was to understand the difference from scraping and shear cutting with the tools. Once you understand what shear cutting is. and how to perform the cut ,use of the skew will be much easer and rewarding.
I just looked at Steve Jones You tube and his process is total shear cutting and this how he peels off the timber.
My suggestions is to watch Richard Raffin Your tube, skew demo and then practice , practice, practice like what was suggested.

 

[jttheclockman]

I watched many videos over the years because the Skew was one tool that would bite me when used. I have gotten alot better over those years and there is nothing like shear cutting to give such a perfect not needed sanded finish if you do it right. But it requires a sharp tool. I learned to use the bottom portion of the cutting edge instead of the middle which I always thought was certain because you would stay away from catches. But what that did was make you have to watch both ends of the skew and the wider the piece you are turning the more chances of catches. Then I changed and rarely get catches but I do not do alot of woodturning these days. Stay away from turning tools and you do lose the touch. I believe turning is one of those traits that takes constant use to keep sharp (no pun intended) i am happy that I can handle the skew better these days but always open for better ideas. There has to be a trick to this because it is not a natural way to use the skew or else so many others would be using it. I always thought learning to cut from both ends of a spindle going both ways was the toughest lesson to learn.