Thread: The tamed skew

Originally Posted by

It took 4.5 mins to turn which included playing with Franks new weapon (more on that later)

Tap-tap-taps foot, glancing at watch. How later is "later?"

Originally Posted by

I then resorted to tried and true tools and methods.

Roughing using the gouge.

Finishing cut with skew.

So 4.5 mins with Frank's tool but how long with R/gouge and skew?

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

So 4.5 mins with Frank's tool but how long with R/gouge and skew?

That was with my tools.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Tap-tap-taps foot, glancing at watch. How later is "later?"

When I have finished playing with it. Probably by Monday.

,

4.5 minutes?

You must have been playing up for the camera shots. Seems to me you shoulda done it quicker. Afterall, you were using tools made for the job.

Seriously though, I firmly believe the insert tools have a place. I am yet to see a better scraper for finishing the inside of box bases etc with a long tool over-hang. Or a round carbide cutter for detailing decades old sun-dried redgum.

Post script - what's the difference between Frank's tool and say an EasyWood Ci1 Rougher?

Essentially, the diff is in the way Frank presents his tool to the wood.

...

Many thanks Frank. Looking forward to it.

Now out of the desert, which wasn't red sunlit plains extended at all but bloody green! I was robbed But the wildflowers are exceptional.

Good, everybody kitted and ready to go!

Ern, it's true that I use a cutting presentation besides the scraping one, but I would have thougth that the acute corner (as you mentioned) and the triple bevel were much more important differences.

, your photos seem to show you using a hand steady. Does that mean that you forfeited the challenge? I never challenged time...

Hi Frank,

Apologies; I'm still operating on a skim read of this thread and will give it a closer reading before heading back to the lathe.

Cheers from Quorn.

Ern

You are in Quorn and the wildflowers are exceptional? I have to get there, last time we went there were none because of the drought. The lathe can wait.

Originally Posted by jefferson

Seems to me you shoulda done it quicker. Afterall, you were using tools made for the job.

Indeed. The full length toolrest accounts for the difference, I think.

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

Good, everybody kitted and ready to go!

Ern, it's true that I use a cutting presentation besides the scraping one, but I would have thougth that the acute corner (as you mentioned) and the triple bevel were much more important differences.

, your photos seem to show you using a hand steady. Does that mean that you forfeited the challenge? I never challenged time...

In my case, time and finish is the only challenge.

(The flowers further Nth was what I was referring to Frank, though Quorn has its fair share and the Dutchman's Stern hill nearby was awash when we walked it this time last year).

Originally Posted by

In my case, time and finish is the only challenge.

In that case the tool ain't for you. However.....

I had a good play with it yesterday and tried a variety of things. I really do quite like the tool. Rolled some beads, did some facing cuts, had a catch or two when I wasn't concentrating , tried redgum and radiata and so on. Easy tool to use, I thought. But surely the proof of the pudding is in giving the tool to someone with less tool proficiency than me. So before making my final evaluation I deliberately waited for a mate of mine to drop in for a visit, a mate who has done a bit of turning but is probably a prime candidate for this tool; ie one who is reluctant to pick up and use a skew chisel. True to form he did arrive yesterday and I promptly got a length of 2" sq pine and put on the lathe between centres. I gave him a little demonstration of the tool and then handed it over. He took to it like a duck to water. I watched as he took a few tentative cuts and then a little catch. A couple of more tips from me and then my phone rang. I spoke on the phone for about 10 minutes and when I got back to the lathe there was Billy with a big grin on his face and the whole length of pine turned into a series of beads. He loved the tool and without any prompting from me said "I'd much prefer using that to a skew chisel... much easier to use." He wants one!

And with that I rest my case for the affirmative. And would like to place an order for another tool for my mate Billy. Well done F&E. A tick from me.

My only question: why the long shaft? I cut about 100mm off the length and inserted another 100mm into the handle. So the shaft is about 125mm too long for my liking.

In that case the tool ain't for you. However...

..We might agree on something.

Still playing with it at the moment and will reserve judgment until all avenues are pursued.