Mundane Question 3

[woodyfxr]

Maybe a simple one, for all of you anyway.

I tried using a newly sharpened Skew Chisel, it was ok until i got the material to a round. I then got a chatter no matter what i did.

 

[Buckeye]

Did you move the rest closer to the work as the diameter got smaller? Are you presenting the skew at the corrrect angle?

Peter

 

[Terry Q]

I hone lightly after sharpening to create a razor edge. It wont last long but you can re-hone again a number times before re-sharpening.

 

[bassethound]

I think Peter has the answer Ken try those things!

 

[ni9eofse7en]

Agree with above, and I will add.. I have found in my limited experience problems similar occuring when the the wood has hard and soft areas. If you have the material sometimes a heavier sharp gouge can bring it back, but if not try light passes with a skew on a pen blank.

 

[chas_41_uk]

I would go with what Peter has said, even tough the skew is my least favourite tool and use it very rarely

 

[Vic Perrin]

Wouldn't be without my Skew!!!!!!!!


How else can you get the tops off old cans of paint

 

[donwatson]

How else can you sharpen a pencil

 

[Penpal]

How else can you sharpen a pencil

Best reply mate if ever I have a loss its sharpening a pencil.

 

[Buckeye]

How else can you sharpen a pencil

On a faceplate with sandpaper on it if it is already on the lathe

Peter

 

[Penpal]

Are you turning two blanks at a time thats guaranteed to create chatter such a small mandrel band a long way between supports when I kicked off with pens I watched the visiting US and UK experts then the Swiss expert all supporting either the blanks or the mandrel with their other hand and that time was convinced to lesson or remove chatter I only turn one half at a time, works for me.

Peter.

 

[Dalboy]

Maybe this will help to understand the chisel a bit better

 

[Walter]

That is a very useful video of Mr Raffan's Derek.

 

[Jimjam66]

Lots of good advice so far, I can only add that you need to 'ride the bevel'. Place the skew on the turning blank so that the bevel rests on the work. Then slowly withdraw it until the edge *just* starts to trim - you'll see dust start to come up over the edge. Resist the temptation to lift the handle and dig the edge into the work, just let the bevel do the work. Takes some practice but when you get it right it's just the best feeling ...

 

[Lons]

There's only one way to learn though and thats mount some old timber between centres and practice, practice, practice. mine was on softwood as hardwood was much too valuable for a schoolkid and as you need very sharp tools to get a good finish on softwood I think it was a great grounding in both disciplines. All forgotten now
That's an excellent video, wish they'd been around when I started. Just remembered, it was before videos were invented

 

[wm460]

How else can you sharpen a pencil

Trusty old pocket knife.

 

[woodyfxr]

I will keep them sharp as i found it a more pleasant experience when they are sharp
However i have found the problem, my revolving centre had stopped revolving, This in turn buggered the end of the mandrel. I checked and could nor move the centre but then it went past the locked area and was ok.
I now have a buggered centre and mandrel, a trip to Axminster for a chat me thinks as they are about three weeks old. Not sure i have the receipt now though.

Oh i forgot, on the subject of sharp pencils, i hate a blunt one so i treated myself to a fancy battery operated one they are now sharp enough for darts. My wife thinks i'm sad. she doesn't understand these things.

 

[woodyfxr]

Are you turning two blanks at a time thats guaranteed to create chatter such a small mandrel band a long way between supports when I kicked off with pens I watched the visiting US and UK experts then the Swiss expert all supporting either the blanks or the mandrel with their other hand and that time was convinced to lesson or remove chatter I only turn one half at a time, works for me.

Peter.

As usual a lot of very handy hints and tips.
Yes i am doing two pieces at the same time and that obviously will cause a problem as you get to the centre of the mandrel, i will try one section at a time

There's only one way to learn though and thats mount some old timber between centres and practice, practice, practice. mine was on softwood as hardwood was much too valuable for a schoolkid and as you need very sharp tools to get a good finish on softwood I think it was a great grounding in both disciplines. All forgotten now
That's an excellent video, wish they'd been around when I started. Just remembered, it was before videos were invented

I have some bits of wood i can play with so will do that, good advice. Running before i can walk and all that/

Maybe this will help to understand the chisel a bit better

Will go have a look at this.


As an aside i have seen centres that a hole in them and the mandrel slides into it rather than being supporting them on a small point. Has anyone used these.

http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/product.php/section/0/sn/PMS1MT

 

[NicG]

As an aside i have seen centres that a hole in them and the mandrel slides into it rather than being supporting them on a small point. Has anyone used these.

http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/product.php/section/0/sn/PMS1MT

I recently treated myself to one of those, not sure whether or not it was the S&B one. Works very well indeed and a lot easier to get a tight hold, than struggling to tighten the brass nut enough, then retightening it every so often as I go.

I was very impressed, but I'm a newbie still at pen turning. I'd had problems a couple of times with the mandrel loosening midway through turning a pen, or not being able to get it tight enough to grip and stop the pen moving while it was turned. This thing stopped that straight away. Pressure comes straight from the tailstock through the bushings and barrel fittings to the mandrel top, removing the strain on the mandrel shaft and the thread at the nut (according to the blurb)

Worked for me.

 

[woodyfxr]

I have had two live centres and two mandrels from Axminster now and both have worn out the centre and mandrel from where the live centre stopped spinning, as these centres appear to be soft not hard ! As it stops spinning it knocks the hell out of the mandrel end.
To be fair Axminster replaced them no quibble at all though the second time i asked for a refund so i now will be going for one of these live centres with the hole.