Thread: The tamed skew

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

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.

Thanks Brendan. I read about the people who felt their first approach to woodturning was ruined at school because they just handed out scrapers: hopefully this tool can be a more effective way to provide a cheap introduction and see if any bloom will flower. Please PM how you want me to send the tool.

No great design thought went into the length of the tool. Given that it is good for scraping the bottom of deep vessels, I found this length to be effective for that purpose.
Furthermore, it can be used as a WMD in roughing, so an extra inch in the handle helps for that. Mainly, though, it was just easy to cut a 10 foot rod into 10 pieces.

Giving the users the ability to shorten it to their liking, as you did, seems to me to justify the extra dollar worth of metal. I was more concerned about ensuring that it was not too short.

Originally Posted by tea lady

WHY is there something wrong with a steady? At least a hend steady doesn't cost anything!

Another thing..... I was kinda wondering how the marketing goes for such a tool! "Too dumb or scared to use a skew? Teacher too hopless to help? ..... Try New "Tamed Skew! "

Your turn to show magnanimity, Brendan.

What is a WMD?

Weapon of Mass Destruction

Originally Posted by tea lady

WHY is there something wrong with a steady? At least a hend steady doesn't cost anything!

Another thing..... I was kinda wondering how the marketing goes for such a tool! "Too dumb or scared to use a skew? Teacher too hopless to help? ..... Try New "Tamed Skew! "

You're absolutely right TL. This reminds me of the days when scroll chucks were first being sold to woodturners and the way they were marketed. Quite similar wording: "Too dumb and scared to make a jam chuck for your bowl. Is your teacher too hopeless to show you how? We have something for you... the Scroll Chuck" Yep I learnt to reverse a bowl and jamming the foot of the bowl into a wooden recess to turn the inside of it by none other than Richard Raffan and Vic Wood. I wonder if they are still using the jam chucks????

none other than Richard Raffan and Vic Wood. I wonder if they are still using the jam chucks????


Ironically they still do as there is still a time and place for everthing

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

Ironically they still do as there is still a time and place for everthing

OK Mr Nitpicker, perhaps I should've said I wonder if they have stooped so low as to use a scroll chuck. I'm sure you know the point I'm making.

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

OK Mr Nitpicker, perhaps I should've said I wonder if they have stooped so low as to use a scroll chuck. I'm sure you know the point I'm making.

I think you are drawing a long bow there comparing this tool to a scroll chuck. Scroll chucks obviously saved time and effort for professional and amateur alike. Not so sure this tool quite does that.

Time probably not. Effort almost certainly yes. I would have thought this is already clear.

Originally Posted by Frank&Earnest

Time probably not. Effort almost certainly yes. I would have thought this is already clear.

I have seen the tool in action you know. Not clear Frank!

Even assuming that you have seen it used for a short time and it was not very effective for what it was doing, this does not change the fact that learning to use one tool that does not need sharpening takes a lot less money and effort than learning to use and sharpen correctly a skew, a scraper, a roughing gouge, a spindle gouge and a bowl gouge. And use a cheap steady. Time is not of the essence for a hobbyist, the results are. The issue we are discussing here is whether the results are good enough to provide reasonable satisfaction while deciding whether it is worth spending the extra money and effort to achieve the highest level of results that one's ability allows.

Thank you for candidly expressing your mistrust, anyway. I assume you have no vested interest in supporting the sale of traditional tools, so, unless you have been bribed , you genuinely represent the conservative view that keeps progress honest.

I value the opportunity for discussion that you provide.

Originally Posted by

..We might agree on something.

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

And turned every corner

Originally Posted by tea lady

Another thing..... I was kinda wondering how the marketing goes for such a tool! "Too dumb or scared to use a skew? Teacher too hopless to help? ..... Try New "Tamed Skew! "

and

Originally Posted by tea lady

I think you are drawing a long bow there comparing this tool to a scroll chuck. Scroll chucks obviously saved time and effort for professional and amateur alike. Not so sure this tool quite does that.

Or maybe along the lines of the way that Robert Sorby markets their spindlemaster which is another alternative to the skew that a lot of turners use.

From their website :

Taming the skew is perhaps the most common of problems encountered by the woodturner. The digs-ins which ensue from incorrect presentation cause many turners to avoid using the skew chisels and consequently reduce their skills and limit their opportunities of turning between centres. The new Spindlemaster does away with this problem. Its design is flat on one surface, and oval on the other makes dig-ins a thing of the past. It is easy to use for even the least experienced turner. In addition to doing the regular planing job of the skew chisel, the Spindlemaster will also cut both beads and coves with the greatest ease. Because of its design - the wood is almost polished and so it gives a fine finish every time. That is a particular advantage when working on soft woods like pine which normally leaves a very coarse finish.
The Spindlemaster is ideal for small projects like boxes and rattles, and works just as effectively on large pieces like bedposts and staircase spindles. If you have reservations about using a skew chisel, the Spindlemaster is the answer.

Frank how do you think yours compares to the spindlemaster?


Peter.

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

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.

Thanks Brendan, that's the kind of test that I'm looking for.


Peter.