On Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:09:02 -0500, Gerald Ross
wrote:

My turning is self-taught, but self could never teach me how to use a
skew to do anything useful. Now, years after grinding all my skews
into scrapers, I would like to try again. I have ordered an oval skew
and need a DVD or book to show me how to make small finials with it.
Any good ones out there?

Lots of videos on Utube, try those first..
If that doesn't help, "Taming of the skew" is highly recommended..

I prefer the oval to the flat because you can roll it downhill..
I like the Penn State version of the "spindle master" a lot better,
though..
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCVERSA3.html