Briefly, I've been using a lathe to make sawdust for 40 years. I'm
right-handed. I use scraping tools, but have some facility with spindle and
bowl gouges, and a hook. I make some of my own tools. The skew has always
been my nemesis.
Assorted arguments aside, regarding the pros and cons of the skew, I decided
to start practicing with a couple of new skew chisels and alternating left
and right hand techniques.
I have scrap softwood material, mainly 2x4 stuff and have decided to start
out on this stock and just the skew chisels - a 1 inch standard skew, and a
3/4 inch oval cross-section skew. The oval skew has a significantly flatter
bevel grind than the standard skew has.
I'm starting with turning a basic cylinder from square stock. I'm also
working on simple symmetrical beads of assorted sizes. Attempts at coves have
been unsatisfying so far.
I'm using both chisels, trying to learn the differences between them, and
also working on left-handed stances to complement my usual right-handed
stances.
On the basic cylindrical project, I am noticing very smooth surfaces on about
half the cylinder circumference and less smooth on the other half of the
circumference. I believe this to be perfectly analogous to the surface
quality of a planed board edge when going the "right" direction or the
"wrong" direction with the plane. In addition, the circularity of the
cylinder is affected by the alternating hard and soft grain in the wood.
Coves are the worst for me, so far. With no place for the bevel to rub, a
nice spiral catch is almost always the result, unless I make a small notch
first, to start my efforts. Somewhat similar to my turning a bowl, I must
start with a small scraped notch at the rim, so there is a place for me to
start the gouge.
None of these remarks is a complaint, just observations of my early efforts
in retraining myself. I am continuing to study assorted videos for technique,
as I become more aware of what my questions are. A turning club is out of the
question in a mainly rural area like mine.
The turning season is upon me, as my outdoor pursuits wind down, and so this
is what I am doing for now.

Just wanted to post this, as the board seemed pretty quiet except for the odd
spammers. Maybe new turners monitoring this board will be encouraged to
continue their learning, cuz an old fart is still trying and making his
messes.

tom koehler

--
I will find a way or make one.