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A more narrow skew chisel

P

Perry Hilbert

Joined
Sep 27, 2017
Messages
408
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Location
Windsor, Pennsylvania
I use the skew chisel for most of my turning, and I have skews from 3/4 to 2 inch. However even those are too big for some of the small figures I have been turning. I need a skew closer to 3/8 wide. The problem is that most smaller skews are also very thin. They vibrate and chatter too much. Does anyone make a heavy duty narrow skew, or this something a bedan would cover better.
 
For my finials I use a 1/2” crown skew and a 1/4” skew made from a round HSS rod.
I think I bought it from Packard long long time ago but is easy to make.

Most of my use of the 1/4” tool is with a forefinger supporting the work to turn beads on finials.
It rolls nicely.
 
I love my 3/8" skew I made from a 3/8" spade bit. Some call them paddle bits. I simply cut the points off at an angle and then ground it to a skew shape. The round shank makes it easy to roll on the tool rest and they are good quality steel. My bit had a hole in the center I guess for pulling wire so I cut it just below that hole.
 
Perry Hilbert said:
I use the skew chisel for most of my turning, and I have skews from 3/4 to 2 inch. However even those are too big for some of the small figures I have been turning. I need a skew closer to 3/8 wide. The problem is that most smaller skews are also very thin. They vibrate and chatter too much. Does anyone make a heavy duty narrow skew, or this something a bedan would cover better.
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the Sorby modular micro tools? I bought a set of basic tools that comes with a small aluminum handle. You can also buy the skew separately. It might be smaller than what you are looking for, but I have found all sorts of uses for thee tiny tools, especially the ¼" skew. I would suspect that if a skew is chattering it could be the result of coming off the bevel or pushing the tool when it is dull, but I'm far from an expert with the skew.

B888_8_888_8_Modular_Micro_Skew.jpg


https://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/wood...ing-tools/modular-micro-tools/b888-8-skew-6mm
 
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