Thread: basic pen tool

I tend to take the corners off with a 3/8" gouge and then use a 1" skew chisel to the finish. As Penpal said sometimes I use the skew on the flat just below center, I find it is good for hardwoods this way.

My favourite pen turning tool is a 13mm Sorby Micro Spindlemaster, it will do everything from turning the square blank round to finishing cuts.

There are times I may use the skew as well, but usually the Spindlemaster all the way.

I have made a bigger handle for it though, the original was a bit on the small side.

It is also very quick and easy to sharpen.

they look interesting fred might have to get myself one of those , have have been thinking about getting a couple of oval skews cos i like the idea of being able to roll them a tad but now i like these too .

Hi
I have been playing with skew and couple other tools and it is interesting to feel and see the varying results. Also have just had tools resharpened and made lot difference to use. I friend also informed me the tools i have are carbon and there is need to watch heat build up when using them? he said should have water for cooling near and also keep them sharp. Thanks for input fellas
cheers
bob

Originally Posted by texx

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also ( probably because of my sharpening method ) my skews always cut better in one direction than the other , they cut both ways but normally one is a bit better ,on some woods that matters on plastic it dont make a lot of difference .
.

I seem to have the same problem, if you can call it a problem. I was thinking maybe its a grain thing, cutting with the grain one way and against the grain the other.Just a thought.

A highly respected famous Aussie Turner asked me how do I sharpen my Skews thinking he needed my advice and puzzled I said why he said he often sharpened his Skews unevenly that creates two different angles ie on each side one is shallower than the other which he said works well only one way perhaps this is the reason you notice this as well.He said try it it is worth while and can result in a much better finish on some cranky timbers.

Regards Peter.

I am new to the pen addiction and have made about 50 pens. I use a 1" roughing gouge to round the blank and depending on the wood, I shape the blanks with a small bowl gouge and finish with a 1" skew. The skew is great to finish the blank and only tends to dig in if I try to pass it over a convex part of the blank.
I find it important to concentrate on relaxing the muscles in the arms and shoulders when using the skew as when tense I seem to have problems with dig in.
The best advice the forum has given me is to have sharp tools and if pressed for time go and do something else.
Hope this makes sense,
Clarky

Hey Big Shed
The Spindlemaster would be used on flat like a scraper? orl on edge like a skew

Big- Shed
I had a look at instructions on web link you provided I can now see how it is used, looks a very useful.

Bob

best chisels i have in my kit now is 2 skew's that i bought at the www show last week .
they are oval skews 1" and 1/2" and i love them .
they leave my old skews for dead .
my old ones are henry taylor had them over 30 years and after useing these new ones i am thinking my old ones may be carbon .
these new ones are hss i bought unhandled from mcjing .
i just turned a double knot pen yesterday ( just have to take some pics of it today to put up ) the pen is hairy oak and i turned the whole thing with just the 1" skew never picked up another chisel absolute dream to use .