WW'nTip-of-Day #030: Shaping / Sharpening the Skew
It's the most versatile tool in the turners arsenal. There seems an infinite number of ways to shape 'em. Here's a variation on the Alan Lacer method that I've come to like as it provides me the flexibility I need in the tool.
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Always great advice, gives me the confidence to try for myself - it’s skew grinding time!
As always excellent video. Thank you
Thanks reshaping my skew based on your recommendation made a BIG difference. I now can use my skew effectively.
Thank you,really clear information, this gives me a lot more confidence to do this myself.
Literally came back to this video because I just bought a brand new skew and needed to be reminded how you sharpened yours. Thanks for always being a great and reliable source of info, Shawn!
I love the way you teach, thank you.
Thanks
Keep up the good work Sean I've learned so much from you videos think you
Just reshaped my small skew, tested it out and it works amazing. With the new grind and new skills on tool control I haven’t gotten a catch all day. Now that I’m happy with that I’m going to put that same grind on my larger skew. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure you already know this but your channel is crazy underrated. I really appreciate the knowledge you share, it has helped me a great deal. Thanks again.
Best explanation for sharpening the skew I have found. Thanks for your great content and keep up the great work.
Alan Lacer has even more detailed stuff if you look him up.
Thanks so much for sharing, I been using carbide all the time and haven't really use steel tools because of the sharpening but your explanation is great. Thanks again.
Im just starting out and have had no luck with the skew until I followed this sharpening method and omg planing for the first time without chatter- its like butter! That moment the shavings became thin beautiful sheets... so excited! Thank you :) your videos are really excellent.
Thank you for sharing great tips
Thanks
Thanks, very informative. Thumbs UP.
I've been watching several of your videos over and over for the past couple of years, and have always learnt so much from them. Have just turned and fitted handles to five chisels that I found in the back of the workbench when I'd just started doing woodwork, and that must've belonged to my dad. Just a pity that he never got to use them, because he never got around to turning handles for them! Now I have two scrapers and three skews extra in my workshop that I've not used yet, because I first wanted to see how to use them correctly! The one is massive, I might add, so I REALLY don't want to experience a catch with it! Oh, and just something about the author of that book mentioned at 12:07: How did Chris Stott become Scott Evans!? 😳🤭
Nicely done.
Thanks
Excellent - very useful
Thanks
I’ve started making my own skews this week. I purchased HSS steel 6mm thick by 200mm long in widths on 13,20,25,30,40,50mm. I have minimum experience with the skew, but I’ve watched many of your videos and a lot of other wood turners on technique. I have also looked at the specs on just about every Skew that I’ve seen on the market. I do not really know what type of grind I will prefer. I have never used one with a curve but have heard so many people say that’s what they prefer. I’m considering starting with a 1 inch ground as you have in this video. I plan on watching your video a few more times to be able to digest all the factors. Thanks for posting, this is a great help to me.
Excellent info and very timely for me, someone who has caught the woodturning bug very badly. So far all I've been able to do with my straight edged brand new skew is catch wood. I can't wait to get home and set my skew up as you have instructed. Also, I'll be heading over to your website to check out your support page. This information is invaluable. You are doing an excellent job. Thank you.
Thanks
Thanks for making this video. I am getting my first skew in a month and it is a daunting view on sharpening it (heaviest piece of steel I will own plus a really "weird" but wonderful shape)
Get after it.
Thanks dude, gonna have a go at reshaping one of my skew chisels to have a half curved edge. More useful than 2 straight ones.
Works well for me.
This was great. My skew skills are terrible and I need to work on them. This video really helps.
Get after it.
I like your videos right to the point. I have this book also
Thanks
Awesome video! Just purchased 1inch Hurricane flat skew and looking to reshape slightly. Purchased the same book last week to my surprise! We must think alike.
Thanks
Great lesson, just bought a large skew with a curved profile and was wondering the best way to sharpen it, now I know thanks.
Look up Alan Lacer. He's the guy when it comes to using curved skews.
Thanks a lot, I’ll watch both and head on down to my workshop.
I love your videos. They're very helpful. May I ask what angle your skew is ground to?
He said, "One more tap". *tap, tap, tap* 3 taps later and he has a couple of bevels. Nice to know your method of getting the curve. Thanks.
This helped so much. I am new to this and am finding it makes so much difference if the tool is sharp. Can you make a video on how to sharpen a curved blade like a bowl gouge?
There are a lot of those on my channel.
Good video. What grit did you use on the wheel? And what grit is diamond hone? Thanks and stay safe.
this was a great video,,i learned a lot,,i wish you would make a video actually putting the alan lacer grind oh a skew
I have one in the Daily Tips series.
I always post on my Facebook and french forum
Sometimes you need some outside inspiration for a project, like a box, a finial or vessel. We have KZhead of course but in the workshop, I've had Chris Stott's book of turned boxes and David Weldon's book of Shapes For Woodturners on hand for fifteen years or so. They're there to give that little nudge for an idea where to start or finish a project when you might need it.
No need to totally reinvent the wheel.
Good video. Are you going to do a video showing the use/reason for each special edge you created?
Other than straight this is the only one I use on the skew.
Excellent video! I have been focusing lately on increasing my ability with a skew, so this video was especially interesting for me. Question for you: I forget where I saw it, but I watched a video of the skew being ground with a convex bevel, which I have been doing lately. The edge is sharpened similar to how you do it here, but then the skew is advanced from its sharpening position to higher up on the 8" grinding wheel (I use CBN) a few times. Takes a bit of practice to make that up and down movement. That rounds out (convexes) the bevel so it can be ridden. The concave bevel that forms from the shape of the wheel seems to take away the ability to ride the bevel, i.e. because of f the concave bevel, the edge comes into contact with the wood before the bevel. Depends somewhat on the diameter of the piece being turned. What is your opinion about that? You are very skilled at this, so I am wondering why you don't do it. Or, do you (just not on this video)?
Seems to me it's the exact opposite. While the blank you are turning is round the plane you are cutting on is flat. Therefore having a hollow grind allows you to pivot off the back bevel whereas with a round would allow you a to create the depth stop of the bevel but it'd be microscopically close to the blade. Theoretically how I hone creates a flat at the edge and bevel so in fact the hollow grind is null and void. But all this is theoretical. In real live I'm not sure it matters. Paralysis by analysis is always superseded by If it works it works.
I see your point. Thanks. I have been turning less than a year. Seems like the concave grind allows a novice to ride the bevel just behind the cutting edge a little better just before the edge engages, whereas the hollow grind with a flat edge might require a little more skill to prevent the edge from digging in too soon. Love your videos! I have learned a lot from you. Keep 'em coming!
On your diamond stone would you say that a steal electroplated one is a must or would a cheeper glued or a plastic cored style be sufficient in other words harbor freight
dianmond stones are one of those area's that you get what you pay for. These are lifetime investments for most of us so a small splurge here is worth it. I own DMT and this one Alan Lacer slip stone you see me using in this video. The DMT came pretty much ready to go the Lacer needed a lot of break in.
Good sharpen tips....would like to have seen this chisel in action to show how it cut.
Shown in use in lots of other videos.
Thank you! Been wondering how you shaped your skew for several months.
Your diamond hone, what grit do you recommend. Awesome videos, Thanks you.
The slipstone you see me using in this video is from Alan Lacer and it's 600 grit. Wish I could find a diamond slipstone over 1000.
I carry a diamond sharpening card in my wallet. DMT D3E extra fine 9 micron 1200 mesh. Is this what you are looking for?
Why do you sharpen the bottom? For bead cuts?
What do you think of "hollow grinding" due to smaller stones? I see a concave edge on your chisel and it reminds me of others saying it's an inferior edge. What thinks you?
This is hollow grinding. Done on an 8" wheel. Used to be they did it on a 2' wheel but it's been ground this way for centuries.
Is there an electric grinder you would recommend? I took up wood turning a few months ago and just have a hand cranked grinder and some Arkansas stones that I use to sharpen tools but the grinder needs two people to use so I'm going to buy an electric one soon.
Not really. I think this is one of those catagories where they're all pretty generic. Just get an 8" slow speed grinder and budget to put some 3M wheels on. I do think there are some new Delta and Porter Cable ones that don't work with Oneway Wolverine setup. But you'll need to research that.
Okay thanks
Did you buy your round nose skew or did you grind it yourself? I notice they are rare as hens teeth to buy on the Internet.
Went too your website to see your Tee shirts! But I couldn’t find any on your site. Your Tee shirt art is very cool 😎 do you sell them?
They're in the apparel section.
I have purchased every book that you have recommended but I feel that you should be compensated, can you provide a list of all of them, so I am sure I dont miss one?
There's an amazon link in description. I try to put links to books there. It is not an affiliate program so I don't earn anything but it is convenient way to link stuff.
I believe recently you mentioned issues with changes in KZhead and you looked at your metrics. I often use my iPhone to view your videos. I save references to videos that I may go back to view again outside of KZhead (just the reference). it is easy to select like/dislike but not comments. Don’t know if this would impact your stats. As an aside I sometime look at comments to see if others have similar experience or alternatives.just thought I’d share.
Actually you are in the majority. Most people are watching KZhead on smart phones and tablets.
Just how big is that skew and where did you get it? It looks bigger than a 1 1/2" which is the biggest I can find. Thanks!
inch and a quarter I think. It's from Alan Lacer.
Where can I find a 1 1/2 skew? I must not type in the right words for google? Rather have just the blade and make my own handle
Also, I need to practice lots, still not confident with using the ‘devils tool’.
That's what it's all about. I have a video "Screw the Skew" that's all about it.
Hey awesome videos. I have been really enjoying them all. I just had a question in your opinion is it ok to have flat grinds on lathe tools? As opposed to hollow grinds
Don't see why not. Wood don't care. And with how I hone them, creating flats front and rear, it's pretty much the same thing.
wortheffort thank you so much for the quick reply!
I am a box turner too... do you know Steven Kennard? See him on google... this will blow your mind. Thanks for shargin. Marc
Ya, he's impressive.
What grit is the wheel? Where did you buy it?
80-120 just about anywhere.
0:54 "You wanna do a few different things." Yeah, like focusing your camera. SCNR
What is the grain size of the stone?
different per application, the slipstone I hone with is about 600.
It doesn’t feel like you’ve given Alan Lacer enough credit in reenacting his guidance
Damn dude, How many times in a video do I need to say his name and identify how I like my geometry different from his. According to proper journalism more than once is redundant and I'm very redundant here. Technically I should be referencing all the people he borrowed this idea from as "his" grind has been around from well before he was born. Like a lot of woodworkers he's branded the idea hence my reference.
I notice you have plastic bags over your work. What’s the reason for this?
Slows drying
Никогда раньше не замечал, какой неприятный..скользкий этот американский говор...🤔