Thread: Skew chisel question

Originally Posted by Christopha

The 3/4" or 1" P&N skew with the radiused (sp) bottom edge ground with a curve is a bloody brilliant tool. Can be used easily for concave curves (not coves obviously!), rolls over beautifully and simply for beads and the "point" does peeling cuts beautifully. The oval skew was invented by mongrels for simpletons with too much disposable cash/ Poor buggers who are easily conned by salesbastards because they don't know any better. I got screwed when I started long ago and have had a violent aversion to bastards with "new" tools ever since.

Simple straight forward tools that have been around forever take some beating. The turners of old didn't have a fancy cupboard with 100 different tools. They owned a skew maybe but usually just a gouge or two, a chisel and a few tools ground for specific jobs. They didn't have diamond laps, bench grinders or Tormek things, often just a small stone that ran outboard on the headstock. Most didn't have anything flasher than leg power.....

RANT ENDS!

Sorry for your tunnel vision Christopha, but here is one that has a 1" oval skew that works perfectly well in my hands. I also have a 1/2" rectangular skew with the corners radiused to make it slip along the tool rest and a 3/8" round skew that I made from a 4" X 3/8" HSS bar and that is just as lovely to use as the other 2. I also experimented with an old Record rectangular carbon steel skew and radiused the cutting edge after hearing how wonderful it is and found it OK but no better than the others.

I suggest that it may well be a good idea to take your tunnel vision glasses off and try it again? You may well be surprised but mind you? It may well be too difficult for you

I may well be a 'simpleton' but I definately don't have too much disposable anything either..

As they say "generalisations are always wrong"

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

....I do have curved shape skews that I use for shear scraping of bowls.

Ditto

I was given a bunch of used turning tools years ago which included some oval skews that I have never used as skews (I have enough fun getting my P&Ns to behave themselves), but found the ovals ground to a curve are very good for shear scraping bowls. I find the oval cross-section is ideal for finely adjusting the shear scraping angle.

I would have never bought the ovals myself, but having been given them I have found a very good other use for them.

I like using a 1" oval skew on small to medium sized spindles for planing/smoothing a cylinder, taper or gentle curve. The oval section allows tool rest support directly in line with the cut and the handle.
The thinner edges allow better access in tight spots for detailing such as tucking in a bead next to a flat.

I prefer the p&n shape for heavier cuts and peeling cuts.

I'm not a huge fan of curved cutting edges as I like nice crisp angles on the long and short points but they are of some use for a wide skew where you don't want the whole edge cutting or you want a longer cutting edge or for coves when you don't want to change to a gouge.

Best wishes

Steve

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi All,

Christopha, said he doesn't do Concaves,

Learn to read.......

Originally Posted by Jonzjob

Sorry for your tunnel vision Christopha, but here is one that has a 1" oval skew that works perfectly well in my hands. I also have a 1/2" rectangular skew with the corners radiused to make it slip along the tool rest and a 3/8" round skew that I made from a 4" X 3/8" HSS bar and that is just as lovely to use as the other 2. I also experimented with an old Record rectangular carbon steel skew and radiused the cutting edge after hearing how wonderful it is and found it OK but no better than the others.

I suggest that it may well be a good idea to take your tunnel vision glasses off and try it again? You may well be surprised but mind you? It may well be too difficult for you

I may well be a 'simpleton' but I definately don't have too much disposable anything either..

As they say "generalisations are always wrong"

What I was saying and it's kinda obvious is that the oval skew was and is aimed at the poor newchum who is told by some shonky salesman that it will make turning with a skew simpler. IT DOESN'T!
However, if you are a competent turner who is confident with a skew then they are just as easy to use as anything else. Anything can be used as a skew, even an axe if you know how and understand what is happening at the edge.

Take your head out of your tunnel Pal and don't be too quick top jump to conclusions....

Jump to conclusions? Me?? No chance, I'm too old to jump anywhere especially with my head in this tunnel

Sorry if offense was caused, non was meant. Just my twisted sense of humour

Hello Hughie,
While a slight diversion from what you have said. I only use the traditional skew for V cuts and end grain slicing. I was lucky enough
for my mentor, John Ewart (well rspected production turner and teacher) to craft me (2) of his Skewarts. These have a flat top with the a left and right traditional cutting edge (both sides). John
wrote about these in the Woodworker some time ago, but I havent been able to find the Article to refer to. To aid the sliding of the tool
on the rest I have lightly sanded the long edges. They work really well and help avoid dig-ins because of their structure. You have to make sure you are on the bevel,
but they are terrific. Well worth a read, including his articles about the use of the skew. If I do come across the article, I will e/m you, unless some one else has it at hand. Drillit.

Here is the Skewart issue:

Issue One Hundred and Fifty Three

anybody got a pic of the 'skewart'?

Hello Hughie,

Details re skewart attached. See also AWW 153, article by John Ewart. Drillit.

Drillit, thanks for that.

Hello Hughie,
Hope you found the skewart details helpful. If you make one I think that you will find the peeling cuts work very well, but you must be on the bevel.
As to the oval skew, my view and I dont own one, is that they dont seem robust enough at the thinned edges. Apart from my skewarts, I have a 1/2"
and 1" where I have sanded the long edges for better sliding on the toolrest. I tend to use them for v cuts and end grain slicing, but I love the 1/2" for cleaning up.
Drillit.

Originally Posted by Drillit

Hello Hughie,

Details re skewart attached. See also AWW 153, article by John Ewart. Drillit.

Thanks Drillit

Well i'll be,I have what looks like a skewart given to me in a set of woodturning chisels made by Marples, Its12 mm wide, sat in a draw for 2yrs and never used it, did not know what is was , Think i'de best sharpen it and see how it goes.

Bazza

Originally Posted by Bazza

Thanks Drillit

Well i'll be,I have what looks like a skewart given to me in a set of woodturning chisels made by Marples, Its12 mm wide, sat in a draw for 2yrs and never used it, did not know what is was , Think i'de best sharpen it and see how it goes.

Bazza

I would hazard a guess that you have "diamond point" tool.

Does it only have a bevel on one side? The "skewart" has 2 bevels.