Thread: The tamed skew

I agree with Brendan.

Whatever works.

I don't hold with uncritical following of what tradition dictates, cos any follower of history knows that traditions change. (eg. Nish's Creative Woodturning would have us hollow bowls with scrapers; well, there are now a number of alternatives and there were at the time too).

And some tools you make friends with and some you don't.

I was sceptical about the EasyWoodTools - TCT 'scrapers' - til I tried some out. They can adeptly shape both Radiata and blackwood and leave a darn good finish. Planing Radiata, you'd be hard pressed to see the diff cp with other tools, as I posted above.

I applaud the efforts of anyone to try, document and reason about new ways of working. The proof of the pudding ...

So put me down for one Frank.

Thanks Ern, will do. I called Leuco again and it will be 2 weeks before I get resupplied, so about 3 by the time you get it.

No rush Frank.

We're coming over to the Nth of your state and elsewhere for a month or so, to wallow in the mud. You have better coloured stuff than we do.

Hi,

How does your tool differ from these?

Tools

Because these will cut on all three sides, and for roughing, push straight in and then cut with the side by drawing along the work.

Finish isn't too bad, not as good as a skew, or bowl gouge, but close, and roughs down quickly, faster than a a roughing gouge, or at least me and my roughing gouge.

Regards

-Gavin

Hi Gavin. I went through that stage, the further improvement is that by using a hexagonal shaft the 60 degree angle of the side of the shaft creates an almost continuous bevel with the 55 degree bevel of the cutter, so you can "rub" the side bevel while rolling and shear scrape/cut at 60 degrees angle with the shaft fully supported by the toolrest.

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

You have made a value judgment that the traditional way is the right way. I respect that and accept that it is the right way to become a professional turner, who might have to plod through pine to make a living. I only ask you to respect a hobbyist's freedom to try a different way. I hope you accept that dismissing my tool as "gimmicky" does not provide a useful assessment of its strengths and weaknesses that would help such a hobbyist choose wisely.



The potential beneficiaries of my argument are mainly people who do not have yet the expertise to contribute to it, so I am in the unfortunate position of having to defend it almost by myself. Please make allowances for this. I hope you acknowledge that I am a rational person and readily admit making a mistake when I have evidence of it.

So you prolly think there should be an elevator to Mount Everest cos lots of people will never be able to get there other wise.

We obviously need a newbie to test this tool. How about you give one to the next person who registers asking for advice on what first turning chisels they should buy.

Originally Posted by tea lady

Luv it

I have to stand with Brendan on this.

I am one of those sad losers who cannot get to grips with a skew; whose attempts to roll beads usually result in dubiously decorative spirals. This was quite depressing as I pride myself on my ability to master most hand skills that interest me. I avoided spindle work as much as possible; this is incredibly easy when you only turn for your own "pleasure". Then I read a book on pen turning (the author escapes me at the moment) where the Spindlemaster was recommended for the terminally inept. I looked it up on this forum and was a bit put off by the number of negative reviews, but purchased one regardless. Wow! I can now turn beads and coves! And I still can't use a skew, even for planing, but I don't actually care as I have alternative methods that work for me. This tool may well be in common use in a couple of decades, along with the Skewchigouge.

I recently purchased a fingernail profile bowl gouge. Once upon a time this item would have been derided, early bowl gouges were quite different. Go back a hundred years or so and the hook tool was more widespread. Now of course the fingernail profile gouge is commonplace and widely respected. Scrapers are another similar area.

The point I wish to make is that F&E's tool is an alternative to one or more tools that some people find difficult to use. It isn't hugely unique in it's design or construction but follows a logical development path.

What I particularly admire about the way this item has been introduced is the document showing how it was developed, and the honest wish by the inventor for constructive critisism AND COMPARISON WITH CONTEMPORARY TOOLS. This could be a fairly easy tool to master and may encourage someone to try out the more difficult skew, but for someone who tamed the skew some time ago I agree it would probably be a step backwards. There is little incentive for more capable turners to purchase one and actually carry out a decent comparison, but this is what is required prior to making a considered negative opinion.

Here is my unqualified opinion: why not give it a go? I can use a spindle gouge but not fantastically well. I can't use a skew at all. I would probably compare this against my Spindlemaster rather than any other tool. I put myself well in the short-trousered learner catagory so maybe I would benefit from this tool but I have already aquired (and sort of mastered-ish) sufficient tools to achieve my desires at this point.

Ps Radiata pine for learners? When I first started turning my mentor told me to avoid that crap and stick to hardwood. Cheap hardwood isn't hard to get hold of; even in the middle of a city you can get hold of pallets etc.

Originally Posted by tea lady

So you prolly think there should be an elevator to Mount Everest cos lots of people will never be able to get there other wise.

Quite a few years back I was into rockclimbing and dreamt of climbing Everest. To learn the ropes I went to the Mt. Cook area of NZ and did a mountaineering course. I realised whilst doing this course I simply didn't have what it would take to climb Everest. However, I would be happy to go back to Mt Cook and do the simpler, less demanding climbing routes there.

Anne Maria, there are a lot of woodturners out there who simply don't want to make the effort to learn the skew chisel techniques. They probably have tried, been bitten and been put off, or have some other reason. You might not understand this because you have the natural ability and motivation to master the skew, and indeed from what I saw of your skills at Wellington you are certainly well on the way to being a Skew Master (Mistress... whatever....) I too found it a fairly straight forward tool to use and so it took me quite a while to realise that there are some out there in woodturning world who don't get it and can't be bothered to get it and there are others who try to get it but still can't get it. We all have our talents in a variety of endeavours.

I can't quite understand the intense scrutiny Frank's tool has received. He is simply trying out something a little different that may or may not have a niche in the woodturning world and may or may not be worthwhile and beneficial to some. He certainly isn't making any outlandish claims or trying to deceive anyone. So I'm not sure why he is having to spend so much time defending his enthusiasm for woodturning and his inventive bent. He has spent a lot of time contemplating this idea, researching it and writing down his thoughts to share with us all and for this I applaud him. I am also prepared to support him in his endeavours if only for, what I think is a commendable effort.

And I'm not sure what the reference to beating a dead horse is all about. If it were me I would me taking some offence.

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

I can't quite understand the intense scrutiny Frank's tool has received. He is simply trying out something a little different that may or may not have a niche in the woodturning world and may or may not be worthwhile and beneficial to some. He certainly isn't making any outlandish claims or trying to deceive anyone. So I'm not sure why he is having to spend so much time defending his enthusiasm for woodturning and his inventive bent. He has spent a lot of time contemplating this idea, researching it and writing down his thoughts to share with us all and for this I applaud him. I am also prepared to support him in his endeavours if only for, what I think is a commendable effort.

I've been away from this for a few days as I had more important things to worry about, namely my ongoing cancer treatment, and again a useful thread seems to degenerate into arguments and not contributing any real value.

Personally I'm still evaluating the long term cost (being the regular supply of inserts) vis a vis my bedan and the making of the adapted skew called the Skewart as outlined in the latest issue of the Australian Woodworker. No doubt that version of the skew will also be critizised by those who are adepts in the skew.

Peter.

There are many paths to the same place.

All of the time spent promoting one tool or another, or how one should or should not turn a piece, could be better spent in front of a lathe with one's favorite set of tools.

If a nicely finished pleasing object is produced, it matters not to me if the turning tool used was an angle grinder starting with a 36 grit disk.

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

I can't quite understand the intense scrutiny Frank's tool has received. He is simply trying out something a little different that may or may not have a niche in the woodturning world and may or may not be worthwhile and beneficial to some. He certainly isn't making any outlandish claims or trying to deceive anyone. So I'm not sure why he is having to spend so much time defending his enthusiasm for woodturning and his inventive bent. He has spent a lot of time contemplating this idea, researching it and writing down his thoughts to share with us all and for this I applaud him. I am also prepared to support him in his endeavours if only for, what I think is a commendable effort.

And I'm not sure what the reference to beating a dead horse is all about. If it were me I would me taking some offence.

I am far from a beginner to turning and really don't understand much about this at all, but I just wanted to add my support F&E for the way you have gone about introducing your tool and the dignified way you have handled your responses. Well done.

Cheers
Michael

OK! OK! Prolly my turn to apologise. Sorry F&E. I was a bit harsh. But lets not say no one should aspire to climbing Mount Everest, just cos you can climb Mt Cook instead, and its closer to home.

No offence taken, TL, in an open forum small things like this can be expected.

And thanks to all of you who have expressed support, much appreciated.

The irony is that I actually bothered to learn the skew and became passably good with it. As regards Pinus radiata, it is on record that I praised the aesthetical value of well finished pieces made with it, while also saying that being so soft it detracts from the kind of durability generally deemed desirable for practical and artistic purposes. The first bed I bought in Australia was pine with turned colonial style posts, the one I sleep in now is carved walnut.

I admit that focusing on the skew for the sake of a smartar*e thread title has created more problems for me that it was worth, it focused the discussion on the ease of use and put in the shadows the versatility and economicality aspects.

Particularly, I never envisaged putting people off attempting Mt Everest by offering Mt Cook instead. I was just hoping that by doing Mt Cook first, some will find the will to aspire to better things and others will have fun at the level they are more comfortable with.

The real issue here is whether the results achievable with the tool are above mediocrity, as I claim, or condemn the user to it, as others seem to suggest. Because of my mediocrity I can not prove my claim by myself, people like Brendan certainly can.