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Originally Posted by seachunk2
No doubt I'm doing something wrong. I'll have to get hold of a video as suggested. However, until I get hold of something, I'm curious what is the correct way the roughing & skew tool should align with the stock? I hold the roughing tool in a "U" (i.e. open side up) at a slight angle and slide the left edge to the right across the stock & come back over with the right side repeating the process until its rounded.
I then apply the skew holding it "___" (i.e. flat) with the rest. I'm at a slight angle with the stock so that the left edge is shaving the wood. The rest of the skew is not contacting the stock. I'm sure this is NOT the correct way and the video is what I need. Once I see what I need, I'm sure I'll catch on quick. I searched the web for some pictures & short video clips without any luck. Anyone know of any, or can someone post a few pics of the proper tool orientation? Also, what's the best way to sharpen the tools? Sorry about my ignorance, I'm real handy with most tools but I've never worked a lathe before, not even in wood shop. Must of been cutting those classes or something and now its payback time!
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Seachunk, you lift the tool into the work. Start with a dowel so you're not dealing with corners. With the lathe spinning put your gouge on the tool rest with the handle low, then advance it so THE BEVEL of the tool is rubbing on the work. Lift the handle slowly, while the shaft of the tool remains on the tool rest, and the EDGE will start to cut. Hold the tool at this angle and slide it along the rest. The key is that the tool is supported in THREE places, the edge, the bevel, and the tool rest. If the bevel of the tool lifts off the wood, the tool will catch and slam back down. With a gouge, there is a huge margin for error, gouges usually don't catch. A skew is a whole different story. You are not ready for it yet, but it is used with the narrow part of the tool on the rest, the flat part twisted 30-45degrees, and the tool angled across the rest so the bevel is supported on the work piece (either long point up or down...start with it up) then lift the handle to bring the edge into contact with the work. You cut ONLY WITH THE LOWER THIRD of the edge. If you get higher on the edge the tool will catch with dramatic result.
You should also experiment with scrapers. They are much easier to use than a skew. They are thick tools with a square or rounded edge and esentially no bevel. You hold them square to the spindle with the handle high and the edge BENEATH the spindle, then lower the handle until the edge starts scraping the work. No risk of catching so easy for beginners, although you'll need to clean up the work with more sanding when you are done.
Again, there are very good turning videos and books out there. You'd be smart to get one.