To Skew or not to Skew

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That is the question I was asking myself. I got a video from the library on how to use a skew and after watching it I was kicking myself as to why I had not done this before after a couple of small catches I was able to finish all the 1 piece slims I posted earlier and have done about 20 pens since and what a difference it makes, smooth, clean and quick and I love it. No more gouges and jsut a round nose scraper to knock off the sharp edges then a skewing I go.
Jerry
 
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I always used the round nose scraper to start the initial shaping then switched to the skew. I had better luck with my 1" oval skew not getting catches. I guess I felt I had better control with a larger tool compared to the 1/2 inch I started using.
 
I use a skew to knock off the corners. But after that I switch to a Bejamin's Best Veraschisel that I re-ground for have a much flatter profile. I haven't as much control with the skew, and I find it harder to give a blank more shape with one as well.

I recently got a Woodchuck, so I'm looking forward to trying that. I'm also curious to try the Woodriver cyogenic 1" oveal skew Woodcraft has for $52 right now. That looks like it could be nice.
 
Skew from start to finish. The larger skews at the start. They are more stable. Then switch to a smaller one. I see no need to use a scraper of any kind anywhere anytime.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
I use a large gouge for rough turning almost down to size, then skew for the last few passes as I "sneak up on" my target size and shape. For some details like coves (usually not pens) I use a small gouge.

I have a Woodchuck Pen Pro on order, so when that arrives, I may stop using my roughing gouge...
 
I'm still learning the angle to sharpen my skew. I'm some what have it close now. When I get that down pat, I will take A LOT of scrap and learn how to use it correctly. I hope to be able to use it as easy as Ed4Copies shows in his videos :)
 
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I have found it hard to use a larger 11/2 skew when using a mandrel. It always seems the mandrel nut or the headstock wont let me get to the end cleanly with out hitting.
 
I use a carbide tool that has a hex bar instead of a square bar. This allows me to ride one of the angles and use it like a skew. I love it. Best of 3 worlds (skew, scraper, no sharpening)
 
SKEW YOU!!!

oh, sorry about that. I have a 1/2 inch skew and an 1.25 incher. I only use the big one now. I also have a bowl pro (big brother to the pen pro) and use it on the bevel like a skew also.

Basic lesson of the skew. You can make contact with the work with the point on the bottom, if the top point touches the work you will get a catch.
 
Woodchuck and Skew. I know how to use a skew and I like the way it cuts, but I generally make the last two or three passed with the woodchuck after shaping with the skew.

IMHO, the Woodchuck makes a cleaner cut than my skew (may be because I suck at sharpening). On PR, I can go right to MicroMesh after the woodchuck.
 
Jon-wx5nco said:
I'm still learning the angle to sharpen my skew. I'm some what have it close now. When I get that down pat, I will take A LOT of scrap and learn how to use it correctly. I hope to be able to use it as easy as Ed4Copies shows in his videos :)
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Hopefully this tip will help. Take a belt sander and grind a roundover onto the edges of your skew. You could do this with a grinder instead, but clean it up with a belt sander so it's smoother. I used 80 grit followed by using 120 by hand.

I rounded the corners/sides of my skew to make it more comfy in the hand and easier to roll on my tool rest, and this also prevents any nicks/scrapes on the tool rest. The actual cutting edge of my skew is also a bit rounded like an Alan Lancer skew.

Finally, use a mill file to clean up your tool rest once in a while so that it's butt-smooth across the top. Helps make uber-clean cuts with the chisel without it snagging on a burr on the tool rest.
 
I've been using the Woodchuck from start to finish when working wood and some PR. I still keep a skew handy as well as my 3/4 spindle gouge, but the Woodchuck is and has been for awhile now, my tool of choice.
 
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