Tool gloat, Robert Sorby

[stevers]

Hi All,
My tool gloat isn't quite as great as rcarman's. I only got one Sorby tool. A 1" oval skew. It is my first real quality tool. I turned a piece of hard PR with it and it was like butter. Now I just have to figure a way to sharpen it.

God I love making shavings!!!

 

[IPD_Mrs]

Hey Steve, whant a real neat trick for working with PR. Get a fabric softener sheet and rub it all over your skew and hands before you turn. It will cut way down on that stuff sticking to your tool and hands.

Congrats on the Sorby.

Mike

 

[Fred]

Steve, whatever method you decide to use to sharpen your skew be sure that you can match the existing angle of the tool. That way you will not remake the edge each and every time you sharpen it AND you can keep the front part of the edge straight and not make it oval out on you.

I use my skew almost 95% of the time when turning and have a Tormek about two feet to the left of my lathe. I simply turn left, slip the skew into the proper preset jig, sharpen, and continue to turn. Keeping the skew scary sharp is a great 'secret' to know. This tool can when used correctly, cut way back on your sanding processes when you are ready to start the finishing process. Keeping it 'scary sharp' also greatly speeds up the turning processes.

The best and easiest way to keep your tools sharp without a lot of effort and wasted metal is to have an excellent sharpening station setup. The Tormek is one of the best wet sharpening methods there is. They make excellent jigs for all the tools. The system is EXPENSIVE, but the upside is that once you have used it and mastered the methods of sharpening you will be VERY, VERY glad you splurged and spent the money.

IMHO, one just can't go wrong with the device and the money is well spent! []

 

[hazard]

I bought this same chisel 3 months ago. I use a diamond stone to sharpen it. I am able to cut the hair on my arm with it.

Have fun turning

chris

 

[jwoodwright]

Nice tool I had forgotten the mess from PR. I use dryer sheets to keep the bees at bay. I'm alergic and the ones up here are nasty... Hate those dryer sheets though.

 

[stevers]

I like the sound of the fabric softener trick. I may have to try that.
I'm in the process of designing (otherwise known as jerry rigging) A set up to sharpen. An old mandrel rig and a left over motor. The motor turns at 1750rpm and with pulley reduction I'm hoping to get the final speed of the wheel down even further. It's a work in progress and sitting on my work bench.

 

[dalemcginnis]

Congratulations on your first "real" tool. Now that you've used one pretty soon your tool rack will look like mine.[][]

 

[stevers]

I hope so Dale.

 

[Daniel]

Steve, Great choice. I had a friend want to buy me a gift a couple of years ago. They did not want to choose for me so they got me a gift certificate. I got the same skew you have, it also was my first really good turning tool. I also bought a woverine grinding jig to sharpen it. I have other really good tools now as well.

 

[byounghusband]

Looks like Jack Frost turned that one!!!![]

Nice tool!! Check out Alan Lacers info on using and sharpening Skews. You won't be disappointed.