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Woodturning (rec.crafts.woodturning) To discuss tools, techniques, styles, materials, shows and competitions, education and educational materials related to woodturning. All skill levels are welcome, from art turners to production turners, beginners to masters. |
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#1
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Did my homework today
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! |
#2
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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! |
#3
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On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 06:35:51 -0500, Prometheus wrote:
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! I think that learning to use a skew is something that new folks should, and usually don't, do.... If you watch anyone using a gouge with swept wings, you can tell that they know how to use a skew and when to use/not use it.. (of course, Bill Grumbine comes to mind) If you want to really play with a cool tool, try an oval skew... SO cool to be able to roll it a little... mac Please remove splinters before emailing |
#4
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"mac davis" wrote in message ... If you want to really play with a cool tool, try an oval skew... SO cool to be able to roll it a little... Try a straight chisel, sometimes referred to as a "beading tool," and you'll wonder why anyone would want to use a skew. Those who turned in the woods for a living used straight and chisels with mild concavity, because they were more controllable, made a smoother bead, and were easy to sharpen. |
#5
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"George" wrote in message ... "mac davis" wrote in message ... If you want to really play with a cool tool, try an oval skew... SO cool to be able to roll it a little... Try a straight chisel, sometimes referred to as a "beading tool," and you'll wonder why anyone would want to use a skew. Those who turned in the woods for a living used straight and chisels with mild concavity, because they were more controllable, made a smoother bead, and were easy to sharpen. ====================== And don't forget that little used (or known) tool, the bedan. It's easy to make one from a small flat work chisel, and it does most of what you'd do with a skew or beading tool. Ken Moon Webberville, TX. |
#6
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In article . net,
"Ken Moon" wrote: And don't forget that little used (or known) tool, the bedan. It's easy to make one from a small flat work chisel, and it does most of what you'd do with a skew or beading tool. A couple years ago I attended a 2-day workshop with Jean-Francois Escoulen - truly a master with the bedan. (Makes sense given the French origins of both.) He handles the bedan both as a wide parting tool and a narrow skew. When you think about the tools we use, you will recognize that many are used in similar ways to how we use a skew. Bedans, parting tools, and long-edged tools like a roughing gouge or fingernail spindle gouge, can all be used on the wood like a traditional skew cut. -- Owen Lowe Northwest Woodturners, Cascade Woodturners, Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild ___ Safety Tip'o'th'week: Never grind aluminum and steel or iron on the same machine or workstation - Thermite. http://www.hanford.gov/lessons/sitell/ll01/2001-36.htm |
#7
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"Owen Lowe" wrote in message news In article . net, "Ken Moon" wrote: And don't forget that little used (or known) tool, the bedan. It's easy to make one from a small flat work chisel, and it does most of what you'd do with a skew or beading tool. A couple years ago I attended a 2-day workshop with Jean-Francois Escoulen - truly a master with the bedan. (Makes sense given the French origins of both.) He handles the bedan both as a wide parting tool and a narrow skew. ===================== Did he bring one of his trembleurs with him? And did he go over use of his string spindle steady? Both remarkable as far as I'm concerned. Ken Moon Webberville, TX. |
#8
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On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 13:07:06 -0400, "George" wrote:
"mac davis" wrote in message .. . If you want to really play with a cool tool, try an oval skew... SO cool to be able to roll it a little... Try a straight chisel, sometimes referred to as a "beading tool," and you'll wonder why anyone would want to use a skew. Those who turned in the woods for a living used straight and chisels with mild concavity, because they were more controllable, made a smoother bead, and were easy to sharpen. I think I have one, George, just not sure from your description... sort of a round skew but without that damned angle on the end? Mac 03 Tahoe Widelite 26GT Travel Trailer replaced 1958 Hilite tent trailer 99 Dodge Ram QQ 2wd - 5.9L, auto, 3:55 gears |
#9
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"mac davis" wrote in message ... Try a straight chisel, sometimes referred to as a "beading tool," and you'll wonder why anyone would want to use a skew. Those who turned in the woods for a living used straight and chisels with mild concavity, because they were more controllable, made a smoother bead, and were easy to sharpen. I think I have one, George, just not sure from your description... sort of a round skew but without that damned angle on the end? Looks like a mortising chisel, only mine has a touch longer bevel. It's the ultimate in grinding back the nose and tail of your skew. They're straight! |
#10
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On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:25:45 -0400, "George" wrote:
"mac davis" wrote in message .. . Try a straight chisel, sometimes referred to as a "beading tool," and you'll wonder why anyone would want to use a skew. Those who turned in the woods for a living used straight and chisels with mild concavity, because they were more controllable, made a smoother bead, and were easy to sharpen. I think I have one, George, just not sure from your description... sort of a round skew but without that damned angle on the end? Looks like a mortising chisel, only mine has a touch longer bevel. It's the ultimate in grinding back the nose and tail of your skew. They're straight! yep.. that describes it... I made it for cutting recesses in bowl bottoms before I knew about swept wings on a bowl gouge.. Mac 03 Tahoe Widelite 26GT Travel Trailer replaced 1958 Hilite tent trailer 99 Dodge Ram QQ 2wd - 5.9L, auto, 3:55 gears |
#11
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I really liked Alan Lacers DVD on the skew. Having a dead center as the
driver allows more or less slip by tightening the tail stock. no worries about a catch. You can acually do one to see what happens. Tryed his way of rolling a bead...dam worked first time. Tried cutting a pomel.. dam worked first time. Waiting to get the money to get his other videos. Guess I am impressed with his video good referance material. Watch it over and over. Always pick up something. Bruce "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! |
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