Planing Cut with a Skew

Although the peeling cut with a skew is a valuable and efficient cut, it has limitations: only shallow tapers, beads, and coves are possible if we are to avoid cutting directly into end grain. As well, some soft woods simply do not respond well to the wide cutting angle of a peeling cut. At that point we have to revert back to the planing cut, but that is the cut that gives the skew its reputation for catches. Perhaps there is a way to apply the principle of the fulcrum to tame the skew?
If you have used a skew at all, you are likely already familiar with the planing cut, but check out some alternative ways of making planing cuts as well, using the corners and leading with the long point.
Cover tool: Ashley Iles 1/2" skew
Woods: Hard Maple; Pear; Poplar

[@gregjohnson8486]

Great video Brian. I'm getting better at skew chisel use thanks to good instruction from you, Shawn Graham (4 Cuts video), Alan Lacer and others. You are a great teacher for this. Thanks so much for sharing! 👍🏾

[@MartynStubbsTBS]

Mr havens I am a woodturner beginner I've had no training, I am trying to learn the scew chisel but with many catches I am now scard of using this chisel! . But after watching many KZbin video's I find you are the best teacher for you sir explain things far better good camera angles far more precise which gives me more confidence and understanding I now can see where I am going wrong. Thankyou Mr haven's and thanks for getting straight to the points and not woffling like some woodturners do .

[@nelsonpalmer4831]

Very informative, clear and concise.... Greatly appreciated.

[@49er7]

Brian's videos on the wood lathe are the best. He covers all the details completely and his camera work is spot on. Good job Brian.

[@gregorybogdanich3999]

I'm a 71 yr. old having done many different areas of woodworking as a professional career. Just trying out turning on an older 36" Craftsman lathe. Really enjoying the new experience and relying on You Tube to help me out. After watching many you tube videos with various turners I think I'm going to stick with Brian. He's really good. Speaks well, no uhms, has great upclose camera angles. One thing from anyone I haven't heard much of is RPMS for different situations. When to start slow and when to speed up, etc. My older lathe has 5 pulleys. That would be helpful for me and hasten the learning curve. Bottom line - I'm all in.

[@vernonagold3763]

Your explanation of keeping a short fulcrum has solved the problem of getting a rough finish requiring a lot of sanding. Thanks for the info.

[@AbdulMannan-jv5ym]

Rahman

[@edskjb]

Brilliant Brian. You have taught me so much and what a finish when you get it right! Really enjoying learning from your videos.

[@vanjkache5942]

Thank you for your videos

[@scottward4316]

In less than 2 minutes, you made clear so many things I wasnt understanding. Thanks for the video. Subscribed

[@bentz98125]

Easily the best explanation (and I've seen some good ones) of the mechanics and geometry of skew cutting . Thanks!

[@johnderyck493]

Thanks Brian. I have watched this video a number of times and the details you explain are great. I have a couple of long spindles to turn out of some beautiful walnut that are about 32" long. I did a practice spindle out of a scrap piece and found I was getting vibration and ripples that looked like a screw thread. I think I need to increase my speed from 1800 to 2000 or more. I will try another scrap piece to get it right. Thanks again.

[@davidmorgan7522]

I, for a loooong time, was hesitant to use a skew because of catches. I finally grew some and started practicing different cuts and positions and now use the skew all the time. I knew what worked for me but not sure why. This video and commentary explained to me what I was doing and it started to make sense, not just the skew but other chisels. Thanks for a great video and your very understandable explanation. Take care, Dave

[@chrisrushman6169]

Thanks Brian, very informative. I've used a skew extensively and only had a couple of catches - you have given me the insight on how to avoid them completely!

[@clementdupuy7188]

Man, I learned so much from your videos! I way playing with my lathe without knowing what I was doing and now I have a better understanding of the work thanks to you! I tried some peeling and planing cuts with the skew and man, are they statisfying! I love the pigtail shavings

[@deanaytes]

Brian thanks for all your videos they are very informative I could listen to you all day you know how you have some people who can talk for long times and never say shit well I do not see that with you I have learned a lot watch in you thank you

[@spwoodart]

Great explanation. Your videos are very thorough. Thanks for sharing.

[@billgiles3261]

I had a great catch with my skew. My first finger got between the skew and the rest. I got a nice blood blister.

[@leapinglemurcraftworks6426]

Excellent video/explanation. My lathe is still in the box - need to build a stand for it. I picked up some really nice old Witherby skews I want to put back into action and this will be my go to video to get started. Thanks Scott

[@JontoDickens]

"Stick the tip in, just a little bit" Brilliant advice Brian. You also make some really good points about woodturning with the skew chisel too...... Seriously though your videos are a great resource with great clarity of detail, thanks mate!

[@kazadthebad9995]

Just beginning my skew journey, many thanks

[@lesterandreas9005]

Just found your videos. Found them to be very informative. Had a lathe for years never really did much on it due to lack of knowledge.

[@edwinbetancourt2364]

Thanks so much for all your great tips Edwin

[@123HURST]

Thanks Brian Good video. I find that cutting with the long point during convex cuts gives me a better view of whats going on which contributes to fewer catches.

[@MichaelGibsonWoodturner]

Very good video Brian, you explained it very well.

[@stephenmcfadyen1385]

Brian, Thank you heaps with your help I have tamed my skew with the cuts you showed, waiting to see what happens with the round and oval skew

[@SuperBowser87]

Excellent skew demonstration with great commentary. Your techniques are brilliant. I am going to recommend this to people I know who only use the tool as a paperweight. Skews catches still scare the crap out of me but they are farther and fewer between. The safety nazis are going to be all over you for saying the dreaded words "not dangerous" ! To me that is so humorous. Great video keep um coming. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@gordroberts53]

Excellent video, looking forward to the oval skew video! Cheers, Gord

[@davidrussell6105]

Thank You !!!!!!!!

[@allenlaidacker]

thank you for this video I learned a lot about the skew

[@muziqjazz]

Thanks again for posting. Marc

[@fa18mhr]

When you lead with the long point, I noticed that the tool rest contact point was well away from the cutting tip. That seem counter to your previous direction of keeping the tool rest contact point as close to the cutting tip as possible. Doesn't that lead to the tool twisting? I acknowledge your technique of putting your finger between the tool rest and the tool to help alleviate the twist, but is that sufficient to keep from producing a catch? I have to assume you will need to go slow and take a very small cut.

[@GeorgeWelman]

Thanks Brian! Very inspiring!!!

[@СергейСкворцов-у2е]

Ни чего не понял, но очень интересно, браво мастеру!!!!!

[@mattfletcher12]

This helps a ton, thank you!

[@שיצברי-ח5מ]

Good

[@allenlaidacker]

I am 72 and a new turner thanks

[@spanglecraftworks259]

Absolute gold! Liked and subscribed!

[@willemkossen]

Im scared of the skew. Its the only turning tool that made me bleed when my pinky got stuck between the toolrest and the tool on a catch. Nothing serious, but it doesnt help building confidence. In the meantime i figured out what (part of) my problem is. My lathe does not have the option to raise or lower the toolrest. So its really not in an ideal position to use the skew. I am just to inexperienced and scared to try and compensate myself. So i lay my skew chisels aside until i can upgrade my lathe, i guess.

[@jeffoldham3466]

brian what is the perfered angle on the skew

[@bpfohler4466]

super information

[@gsilcoful]

Thank you.

[@ВладиславЛев-ш8т]

!!!, 💯💯💯

[@allenlaidacker]

I was so afrad of the skew till now

[@Gixie-R]

I love my Oval skew, My rest's dont though. lol

[@AlexanderTES]

Brian, please let me add subtitles to this video.

[@AbdulMannan-jv5ym]

Rahman