Thread: I am a Woodturning Addict in the Making

Originally Posted by SHEETMETAL

Hello Woodturners
I have a few questions,

Question 1: I was watching turning videos on you tube and the Guy doing the demo spoke of types of skews , How many different types of skew are there? It all depends on how they are sharpened but basically it is a piece of rectangular steel bar that has a sharp end ground at an angle (hence skew ) and a blunt end that you hold onto.

Question 2: what is the difference between a spindle gouge and a bowl gouge? The depth and shape of the flute.

Question 3: Is three days an excessive amount of time to make one chisel handle

Gerard

Yes but if you are learning it doesn't matter how long it takes. I do mine in about 10 mins but I passed the beginner stage a long time ago but I am still a learner.

Hi Sheetmetal,

's advice is about as good as you will get. He is a professional/production turner

will be doing a demo at the Woodturners of the Hunter the first weekend in June (1st and 2nd). The first day will be a demo with the Sunday dedicated to beginning and/or inexperienced turners. May well be worth a trip up the F3 for you.

If you send me a pm I can give you more info, as we have not started advertising yet - still recovering from organising Rolly Munro last Satrurday.

My only other advice is to join a local woodturning club - I wish I'd done that when I started (it would have saved me lots of mistakes on lathe and tool purchases). The Sydney Woodturners Guild would be a good place to find your local club.

Cheers, and happy turning,
Paul

Thank You and Wood Nut

I had always intended to join a club, in fact I intend to contact Southern Districts Woodturning at Como. Not sure if I got the name right but I do know that they are affiliated with Sydney Woodturning Guild.

Wood Nut I will PM you re the Hunter event.

thanks again
Gerard

Hello sheetmetal,
I wont make any comments on your secific questions, because of the quality of the advice already given.
However, as to learning, I think that you should join a club where you can do practical work under some guidance
and help. I also strongly recommend that you undertake a course. I suggest you contact Trend Timbers (MULGRAVE) and do the learner's course with John Ewart,
a very experienced professional turner. I have no commercial interest. But many many years ago, I did all the courses with him (6 modules) and more
and that gave me a solid base to go ahead. Hope that helps. Drillit.

G'day Sheetmetal!! Good to see you joining the shavings and sawdust sniffers union!

As for Skew Chisels it's much as says, but just a few pointers:

*Try to get skews with rounded rather than square edges. They are much easier to manage when rolling beads.

*There is an Oval Skew available. Avoid it!

*Some turners like to round the end of their chisels. I have found this to be a good thing, especially when starting out.