Rounding a square blank with a skew?

[Woodchipper]

Saw a turner do this for a demo. Instead of a roughing spindle gouge, he used a skew. Anyone do this to round a blank? Or anyone do this to create a smooth surface for wood or a synthetic blank prior to sanding? Inquiring mind wants to know. Thanks.

 

[Twist&Click]

I believe Ed from Exotic Blanks uses a skew the majority of the time.

 

[d_bondi]

Bob Blanford (RJBWoodturner on YouTube) also uses a skew 99% of the time.

 

[JohnU]

I often round the blank with a carbide EasyWood tool and then switch to a skew to shape and finish the blank.

 

[GaryMGg]

I'll use a skew on certain woods and acrylics from start to finish.
I completeld two Cigars the other day—one in curly ambrosia maple and one in sapele.
I don't even sand when done—a sharp skew can create a finished surface.

 

[egnald]

I saw the corners off with a jig I made for my bandsaw so I start on the lathe with an octagonal shaped blank. Then I use a T-Shadow Magical Skew or a similar tool that I made using a hexagonal rod to hold a 12mm round carbide cutter at a 60-degree angle providing more of a shear cutter / scraper. Then once round I use both round and square carbide tools to bring it to the final shape. Although I do sand the blank with 600 grit and 800 grit, I probably wouldn't need to as even the sharp carbide scrapers usually leave a very smooth finish. Ok, it's overkill, but it's what I'm used to. - Dave

 

[mark james]

I never could use a skew with decent results... My 16 yr old son picked one up after 1-2 hrs of using a roughing gouge for his FIRST attempt at turning and turned a snowman with ease! I was pissed.

 

[donstephan]

A skew peeling cut, 1/2 to 3/4" long each time, very quickly gets a square cross section close to round. When the cutting edge is sharp a skew planing cut leaves a very good surface. Well worth the time and struggle to become comfortable with the skew.

 

[its_virgil]

I use a 1 1/4 inch skew on all pen blanks from start to end. I use a planing cut: no peeling or scraping but to each his own.

 

[jttheclockman]

I think I have made it known here many times my go to finish tool is a skew. I will round blanks down with carbide tool round cutter. Many times it is just easier and if I use metals in it then less sharpening with skew. But many times I will go right from skew to MM and polishing especially with metals and avoiding contaminating woods and metals. For what we do a skew is so easy to use and learn. Doing larger work may take some more training but it is the best tool in the turners tool bag in my opinion.

 

[Dieseldoc]

Like Don start to finish skew.

 

[Woodchipper]

I didn't expect so many replies. Many thanks for sharing your experience and the answer to my question.

 

[WriteON]

I do not use the skew properly… I use it as a scraper … holding it parallel to the ground. I use it from start to finish. I never learned proper technique but it works for me. Not suggesting to use it that way.. just saying.