Sounds like the same experience I had. My first few years of turning, I used
gouges and scrapers almost exclusively, until I overcame my skew-o-phobia.
You're right, it is a milestone, and it's amazing how easy the cuts come
with a little practice.

I remember being frustrated, because I'm self-taught, and no matter how many
descriptions of skew cutting I read in books, I could never seem to get the
correct angle or tool presentation. I had my epiphany during a turning class
back in the day when Shopsmith had their retail stores. Excellent instructor
(Mark Krick), he explained and demonstrated the cuts in great detail. I've
been in a turning club since then, and there's nothing like someone showing
you the techniques and showing you exactly what you're doing wrong.

Enjoy your newfound skills and keep practicing.

Buddy


"Prometheus" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

Sort of a turning milestone today... My skews were sitting there next
to the lathe, looking kind of neglected and likely irritated that I
have been using them as impromptu scrapers and parting tools, so I
decided that I was going to learn to use them properly, and damn the
cost in time and materials! Got a whole run of relatively nasty
catches at first, but after about two hours of doing nothing but
planing cuts, and another hour or so of carving sine-type curves, I've
finally got those suckers working the way they should (I hope!) At
least I'm not making more gashes than smooth surfaces anymore.

Lots of nice curls for mulching the flower beds, and I finally see why
a guy would even want to use a skew... They sure do leave a nice
surface, even on the punky wood I was practicing on. Got to where I
can even rough a blank out with the big one, so I figure I'm good to
go.

Definately worth the effort, IMO. Just figured I'd pass it along, as
I know there are some turners who are far more accomplished than I
that avoid the skew like the plague- but it didn't really take that
long to figure out in the great scheme of things, and I can already
see it's going to save me tons of sanding time!