Thread: conquering the skew

One thing I have found, is that the rest must be absolutely smooth. I rub mine down with 150 grit, and then rub in some Lanotec. It's made a huge difference for me. Also, I found and iron grip on the tool also helps a lot. You cannot afford to lose control of the edge.

I'm no expert, but have improved quite a lot since I first tried the skew. Depending on the speed I had the lathe going, I could get up to 3000 CPM (catches per minute).

Originally Posted by Farm boy

Thankyou very,very much
i have had a feel better day reading about the skew and your exploits in conquering the skewgreg

Greg, all this sounds so familiar. Last year I put out a request for some hands on tuition, and Ian "", answered first, so at the Prossie Turnout, he gave me a few short lessons and then left me to practice. The best bit was he did not just teach me how to use the skew, but how to recognise what was going wrong and correct it. Also, I really liked his style of toolrests compared with what I had, so when I got back, I made all new ones, and have not looked back. So Greg, my advice, is track down , for some hands on tuition, he goes everywhere, maybee go and visit him,
regards,
Crocy.
P.S. did I say Prossie Turnout, only 6 and a bit months to go, woohoo.

Originally Posted by Old Croc

So Greg, my advice, is track down , for some hands on tuition, he goes everywhere, maybee go and visit him,
regards,
Crocy.

's going to Brissy wood working show in a couple of weeks so maybe he could stop by. Nothing like volunteering his services. Maybe I should get a booking fee.

we have already been in contact i just have to work out my days i am working
i should throw a bottle of home made red in to sweeten the visit
greg

Originally Posted by Farm boy

we have already been in contact i just have to work out my days i am working
i should throw a bottle of home made red in to sweeten the visit
greg

Yes do that but not before the Lesson Wouldn't Want to be Drunk with the Skew.

Cheers Tony.

Originally Posted by Farm boy

we have already been in contact i just have to work out my days i am working
i should throw a bottle of home made red in to sweeten the visit
greg

Small hint! doesn't drink. Likes Chocolate royals and custard tarts though! Julie doesn't mind some bubbly I think!

Originally Posted by chrisb691

One thing I have found, is that the rest must be absolutely smooth. I rub mine down with 150 grit, and then rub in some Lanotec. It's made a huge difference for me. Also, I found and iron grip on the tool also helps a lot. You cannot afford to lose control of the edge.

Absolutely agree Chris!! Stuphphed a beautiful piece of Cocobolo once due to a dent im the rest>

Does anyone have a copy of Mike Darlow's "Taming The Skew" DVD that is surplus to requirements? Thought I'd look for a pre-loved one before buying new.....

Happy to pay a reasonable price + postage.

Dunno how I got mentioned, but I'm ok with planing with the skew (using it as a negative rake scraper can make a nice finish too!). I still don't use it much for beads though. I use my 3/8 Thompson detail gouge for that A skew in the right hands is pretty awesome to watch though.

The only bits of Advice I can give are to practice, seek tuition, then practice some more...

Cheers,
Dave

Hi Farmboy
All I can say from experience is 'practice makes perfect' I'm no pro and nowhere near close, it used to happen to me everytime I used it but when you keep practcing it will start working for you, now it happens less often for me.
Good luck and let us know how it goes
David

Gday folks,

Was lucky enough to spend a day down at 's awhile back, complete newbie at that stage, hadn't even bought a lathe or tools. Had read every post on the forum and had come to the conclusion that the skew was a dreaded weapon only to be used by fools and those with a death wish, kept coming across skew and catch in nearly every sentence.

Then was good enough to explain a few things and let me have a go on one of the lathes and yes the damn thing caught and made a mess of things and yes I wondered if i'd even get the hang of it.

Now 12 months later, with a new lathe and tools, and many pieces of timber turned to shavings I've learnt a couple of things about the skew, no longer dreaded but respected, the more I thought it would catch it would, keep it sharp and most important, practice practice and more practice.

I got about 50 metres of pine framing offcuts from a building site down the road, got it home, ripped it down the guts then docked it to foot long lengths then every time I got close to the lathe I'd practice roughing, smoothing with the skew then turning the timber into beads. While I still get the odd catch its usually due to lack on concentration.

Hope my experience helps.

Ross.

hi there
there was some good articles in the wood worker about turning with a skew! i turned thousands of beads before i mastered it! ive had 1 private lesson 3yrs at T.A.F.E ,4 yrs in the trade and didnt turn for 10 yrs then 2 yrs ago bought a lathe and spent days turning beads! and hollows! now im working for a staircase company woodturning again! its not witch craft promise ; its a time and paitence thing . pratice with knot free straight grain timber! about 50mm in diametre and try not to wipeout!!

also "tune" your tool rest you want it nice and smooth i do mine with a file i also did a couple with a flap sander on the angle grinder but it was not as smooth a finish!. It lets the tool move smoothley on the tool rest

All hail the most powerful 'Skew'! You guys (and gals) seem to assume that you HAVE to be able to use a skew to turn wood - not true. I had a few disasters and vowed never to use one again and have happily turned away ever since. Actually hardly ever use a gouge either for similar reasons. I made and use an oland tool for most roughing and have a variety of scrapers and other things such as various electrical sanders for the rest. I think I'm fairly fast and can guarantee never a dig in or disaster. Life is too short to have to conquer everything!