Thread: Skewing Around

Originally Posted by Paul39

I have maintained for years that the newest and greatest lathe, tool, sharpening system, etc. does not make one a good turner.

100 hours in front of a lathe with one or two decent, reasonably well sharpened tools will.

The only spindles I am likely to make are tool handles. Finials and pens I will make after the second coming or when hell freezes over, which ever comes last.

I have always admired the finish I get with the skew, but did not use one enough to get proficient. I'll make a point to make a handle a week to not get rusty.

Now back to roughing out bowls.

I have often wondered why turners shy away from spindle turning & skews??? I reckon its because many turners are basically lazy and bowls sexy and are easy!

I know you'll say Stirer!

Good spindle turning requires much more discipline & precision, great spindle turners are a very rare breed. Stuff ups in spindle turning are immediate and often impossible to recover from especially with matched sets of turnings - start again stuff. Bowls on the other hand offer considerable flexibility to recover from even moderate stuff ups. The exception's are ultra thin or BIG bowls and "fresh air" bowls that require the same level of discipline. Stuff ups with them can potentially be fatal for the bowl & the turner.

So why aren't more turners "skewing arround?"

Hi All,
As Said Previously I love my Skews.
I've found, if you put you wood in a Chuck, it is easier, more Stable, & most times no Spirals.

Even if you jam the wood up the Spindle Head MT2, it is still firmer than between centres.

The other point, & this really needs Practice, is to learn how to use The Long Point of The Skew. I like to Skew along the top of the wood.
In other words I have my tool rest a bit higher, You will be really surprised at the Finish you get, but takes some doing.

Originally Posted by Paul39

Handle before last was a nice straight grained clear walnut table leg with square at the top, ball, tapered flute, ball, small square, and short round leg.

Sounds just like my ex mother-in-laws wooden leg. She wouldn't let me play with it

The one thing about the skew is that no matter how good you get with it you have to be careful, because if it sees you taking liberties it bites Lovely tool to use though

I have now gotten to the point of when I get tired of bowls, or seeing an interesting piece of firewood, I'll make a tool handle for entertainment.

Heaven help me, I use the skew for fun.

The other night a piece that had hard and softer sides was bump, bump, bumping in the planing position. I went up to 2800 rpm, and what a difference.

Still learning.

I like doing oval handles too. Only done a couple.