08-03-2020, 12:11 PM
(07-28-2020, 04:01 PM)MichaelMouse Wrote: Why leave both as skews? A straight chisel from the larger will plane beautifully, and the point on the smaller will cut across grain as well as the big one.
FWIW, when the first fad for curved skews began maybe 30+ years ago, I modified one of mine. Still can't figure out what I gained, but I didn't lose anything, and I'm too lazy to take him back to straight. It works, but no gain over non-radiused, to my ability.
I thought about getting one which is susposed to get rid of dig in but keep using my old one which I will have to replace soon since it is almost down to nothing.
(07-28-2020, 04:45 PM)SceneryMaker Wrote: The cheapest way I've found to learn and practice tool control is to put a foot long pine 2 x 2 between a live center in the tailstock and a cup center (frequently called a safety center these days), a stebb center, or a spur drive in the headstock. I like the cup center best.
Practice turning:
1. down to round
2. a constant diameter
3. a specific diameter
4. a taper
5. multiple beads (convex cuts)
6. multiple coves (concave cuts)
By the time you've turned a couple of 10' 2x4s into shavings (that's 40 practice pieces), you should be on your way.
When doing these, a catch will probably happen, causing the wood to spin on the driving center with no damage or excitement. Just pull the tool out, tighten the tailstock, and resume what you were doing.
Whenever you want to try a new tool or a new cut, try it on a practice setup first. Once you can repeatably produce a good cut on a practice setup, you can then use it on real pieces.
I also strongly recommend a live class to get you started.
Also look for Mark Silay's videos on slicing cuts. I found those immensely helpful.
Everyone I teach starts with pine or ceder. I tell them if they can make that smooth and without ripping out the fibers they can turn almost anything. They start with beads and coves and then after afew hours of that using the skew to plane with to take off all the beads or coves they are working on.
As of this time I am not teaching vets to turn. Also please do not send any items to me without prior notification. Thank You Everyone.
It is always the right time, to do the right thing.
It is always the right time, to do the right thing.