Practising using the SKEW Chisel | Turning Tuesday #1

Hello and welcome to yet ANOTHER series I am running where I commit to learning a new woodturning skill, technique or project in a bid to become more proficient on the lathe. This will largely be self taught so If you have any pointers, feel free to chip in!
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My name is Matt Estlea and I’m a Woodworker from Basingstoke, England. My aim is to make your woodworking less s***.
I come from 5 years of TRAINING at Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford, 5 years of experience WORKING at Axminster Tools and Machinery in Basingstoke, and 3 years TEACHING both day classes and evening classes at Rycotewood Furniture Centre. All while trying to get this KZbin thing off the ground.
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[@MattEstlea]

If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to press the *LIKE* button. It really helps me out!

[@wortheffort]

You're gonna have some fun with this series. Something to think about in relation to what "others say is proper" is how the lathe is positioned to your body. Your elbow is your hinge and thus dictates the angle you are presenting the tool to the wood in the "Z" axis. Most people have their lathe set up so the rotation axis is at their elbows when arms at their sides. Because your lathe is a bit high (nothing wrong with that if it's comfortable to you) then your presentation on the blank might feel more comfortable higher with some tools and lower with others because your elbow (hinge) is lower.

[@MrDancingBishop]

This guy knows his sh#£. If you get into bowls, watch his stuff 👍

[@daiprout323]

@wortheffort Perhaps Matt shouldn't try your looking at the audience whilst rounding a blank trick yet 😋

[@ianbox240]

wortheffort a

[@lyulf0]

Oh this is great i was going to suggest he go check out your channel for tips and tricks.

[@stevefritzinger7076]

Worth Effort? I know that guy. Good stuff.

[@SkylersRants]

What a treat. I enjoy the presentation of your learning process. Too often you only see experts who never make mistakes and it's easy to get discouraged. Thanks!

[@markharris5771]

As a very newbie woodworker thank you for showing you too are human and have to learn stuff.

[@thicknight1]

Can't wait for more like this Matt.

[@zlaya84]

I massively appreciate the fact that we get to learn along with you.

[@dougdugan3358]

Matt, having your dream profession loose its luster isn’t uncommon. For 7 years you’ve put your whole life into this endeavor, and done a stellar job, and what you are seeing is the start of “burnout “. Consider bringing in another person to contribute to project ideas and approaches, reduce some of your time obligations. Love your life. I’m 80+ and have gone through what you are facing, I found backing off a little and having someone to bounce things off of really helped. Really enjoy your you-tube presentations

[@garymiller1216]

looking ford to the next video, bolting down wednesday, great video, good to see even you can learn something new and show us not to be afraid to have a go at something new, but im not doing that, i think the tools would end up in my face all too often LOL

[@murphymmc]

Two of your countrymen are superb teachers of woodturning. Alan Batty, the senior, is a master with the skew. His son, Stuart is a master with the bowl gouge and has a great teaching on grind angle. You'll appreciate Stuart's video on how to may nearly effortless cuts without the death grip.

[@stevebosun7410]

Excellent first attempt. What more can I say. Perhaps the skew might not be the best tool to start with, but hey ho, if you can master the skew, the sky's your limit. Look forward to more of this series.

[@mikepkes]

I love that you are making a series out of this. I am by no means experienced but I teach woodturning to absolute beginners, and in a few hours we usually turn a lidded box. This would be a great project for you to tackle, it really makes you think about your order of operations and work holding.

[@MattrsMore]

watching someone, who for most hoobyist's standards and what not, a pro, learn something from scratch is pretty cool. loving this.

[@PeterOConnl]

Using a skew really makes you admire the skill of production turners like Steve Jones. Hard tool to master but so satisfying when it goes right.

[@mattman2088]

He is human! For real love this series idea and getting to see as you learn a new skill!

[@rorymcveigh6637]

Really liking your new way of Transisitioning, by stepping out of frame. A nice addition in my opinion. Keep up the great work Matt!

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Very good improvement on the skew chisel. I appreciate your tenacity to try new things. Yes, in this age of KZbin we can all find videos that will offer some good instruction on how to do things, I’m looking forward to watching your turning videos. I’ve gotten back into turning after being away from it for almost fifty years. You wanted a project idea. My first one was a simple ice cream scoop handle and at Christmas this year I made a dozen to give as presents to friends and family. I’ve even included some videos of my return to turning on my KZbin channel, WB Fine Woodworking.

[@grahammarkhorn]

Turning Tuesday? Im in!

[@jamesbarwick-snell7218]

Finally something I know about! Long time fan. One thing to keep in mind is the death grip you have on the roughing gouge will on a long term hurt your hands more than letting the tool do the work. Something I found very useful was the difference between sharpening a tool and turning wood is which part of the equation is getting material taken off of it.

[@stevefritzinger7076]

After 2 years, I still struggle with keeping a death grip on the tool. Constantly have to remind myself to relax.

[@_Rikk_]

great learning curve

[@ozzy6900]

Matt, it's very important to not have a death grip on the tool. Treat the tool as you would a saw and you'll find that it's easier to manage even the squew. This also keeps you safe should the tool grab. Rather that shooting back, the tool will spin away. Have fun!

[@zipinkent4026]

Thanks Matt. Food for thought. Liking the haircut, it suits.

[@gordoneng]

Matt, I wanted to thank you. I came across your channel about a week ago and have been watching ever since. I have been wanting to begin woodworking for several years but for some reason, could not bring myself to. With inspiration from you, this weekend I will begin the journey. Thank you so much for your tutorials, explanations, tips and awesome videos. I look forward to seeing what's next.

[@thewoodworkingmetalhead2712]

Good luck man!

[@gordoneng]

@@thewoodworkingmetalhead2712 Thank you kindly.

[@markgatehouse4822]

well, Matt, you have done it again I started watching your stuff avidly, then went off it into green wood carving, Last week I found access to both wood and Metal lathes along with thicknessers and really scary saws and low you have resumed relevance, i love happenstances :)

[@MikeBramm]

Just like anything, keep practicing and you'll get better and better. You've made such an improvement during this video. Keep at it.

[@moonwolf7135]

Cool job matt

[@tonyrowan3192]

You’ve picked a good challenge and it will open all sorts of new possibilities for your projects. Enjoy!

[@robertgaut9396]

This is timely because I just got a lathe for Christmas. I'm looking forward to learning with you!

[@nicmasterdude]

Me too!

[@paco5687]

This is perfect timing! I just started learning how to turn, I look forward to following along with the series.

[@jabeavers]

That music selection is perfect. Good video production. (Oh, good wood turning, too....)

[@kenburnett]

Matt, I think this course is a great idea. I know very little about turning and want to learn so I will be following along with you. Thank you for doing this.

[@extreamemineing]

perfect timing, my new years goal is to get back into turning. Thanks

[@Arbyofuchprawnage]

Im sure I commented a while ago about you trying turning :D Its a slipperly slope and a whole other ball game, enjoy the ride. One thing I would recommend is rolling over the roughing gouge with the open flute in the direction you are moving. A 45 deg type angle works very well and cuts a lot easier.

[@Arbyofuchprawnage]

If you have a chuck then a lidded box is a nice easy project to start with and you can really make something interesting out of that by joining different species of wood together etc.

[@victorbarroscoch]

You should probably bolt that lathe down to the bench to get a more rigid setup. Of course, make sure it's level and flat cause otherwise it could twist the ways.

[@heyimamaker]

The Skew is on my bucket list. It is very intimidating! Looks like you were getting the hang of it though!

[@trevor33jan1]

welcome to the world of turning Matt, i warn you now, its addictive, You did well for your first go and i must say you probably picked the hardest tool to master. My suggestion for a first project is a smallish serving platter, the wide opening and shallow bowl shape will make it easy for you to get used to using the bowl gouge. Good luck in what ever you choose and im sure you will master it like all that you do.

[@benrudman3917]

It looks like so much fun! And makes me want a lathe! Beautiful editing as always.

[@mortenheide1164]

Was anyone else holding their breath every time he cut with the skew chisel??😱

[@timeverett5482]

Great video Matt. I got a lathe for Christmas turn my first pen today. Looking forward to this series.

[@IEnjoyCreatingVideos]

Nice work Matt! Thanks for sharing the video with us.👍😎JP

[@c.n.h4841]

Having your handle down is what give it the kick back on you from the chisels so pickin it up almost flat with a lil bit down angle will help you look at a metal lathe video it will help you and watch the bit angle

[@TylerAFE]

Good luck at learning a new skill!

[@lebensschueler]

Great video! Love how you are learning and somehow teaching at the same time. Perfect for practising and understanding your own mistakes! Because it is one thing to be a master in something and showing off your skills but it is much braver to show what you are not an expert in and to share the process in how you get better. Keep up the good work! Always happy to see new content! Greetings from Austria!

[@derekwilkinson7939]

I’ll be following this with great interest Matt. I’m a complete novice myself. Just finished my second ever piece. As has already been mentioned Steve Jones woodturner 21is an absolute master with the skew. Well worth a watch. 👍

[@walonguy111]

Matt nice video, the best way sometimes to learn new skills is to jump in and do it.

[@harrisbrunning1091]

Great Video Matt, can't wait to give the lathe a go myself!

[@anthonyharper5954]

Looks like the Estlea’s are all getting pepper mills next Christmas! Time to treat yourself to some turning tool jigs for the Tormek!!

[@chrisbannister2137]

Bolt the lathe down then we don’t have to watch you chase it round the table lol 😂

[@tiesdevos6897]

Google is realy smart yesterday i made a project on a lathe and now i get this video in my feed, that means that Google has a algorithme that can hear what power tools i AM using amazing . Also amazing vid like always. BTW you got a Nice face mask need to get myself some more lung protection

[@allanh4803]

Nice one Matt. Wortheffort does know his stuff (below and I'm a fan of his stuff.) I'm sure you know him. Can you imagine making fantastic Christmas pieces to hang on the tree? (some hollow) There's some great info for making those and you reminded me of this with the shapes you produced with the skew. I'll be watching your future wood lathe vids because you're better than me and I need HELP!

[@keithscrafts]

Nice job mate. I'm trying to get back at it to ease my anxiety and depression. It does take a lot of practise but your doing really well with a first attempt with the skew. Wish I could get on with mine. That skew you were using looks like a nice tool.

[@stephencowper430]

A segment on how to sharpen and burnish your lathe tool would be beneficial , love the content and presentation keep up the good work

[@simonfournier-boulanger3536]

I kind of feel the same way as you do. I'm giving myself a bunch of challenges to acquire new skills. I am far from your skill level for precision woodworking but I know a few things as far as woodturning goes. First off it's not because a tool is meant for a particular use that you can't use it for something else. I use the fingernail bowl gouge everywhere. I turn pens with it which is pretty far from a bowl. Second you should really bolt your lathe down it wiuld help a lot with vibration and chatter. Anyway, welcome in woodturning, I'm eager to see what you come up with ( sorry for my bad grammar I'm from Quebec and english is my second language)

[@Randalll18]

Gl Mate! it is nice to see that you challenge yourself. Somewhere in the future, I want to give the lath a go myself. Looking forward to this series. Greetings from Holland

[@adrianbrewer1708]

Nice video Matt. Good to follow your progress. Hope you enjoyed it yourself. Regards

[@stefanjohansson7601]

This is something completely new for this channel. Instead of getting taught by someone who knows how to do it right, we get to follow you in your learning process. :-) Btw. If you are not comfortable with the way you have to hold and angle the chisel, try to adjust a) the height of the lathe, and b) the height of the support. I find it easier if the height of the lathe spindle center is slightly lower than my elbow, and when the bevel of the gauge I use is supported by the blank when I let it rest at the support. First project? Make some nice tool handles, or a peg-top.

[@alfiemunting4253]

Practice makes perfect

[@chrisallen57]

I learned a ton from watching Richard Raffan. He did some videos for Taunton Press. They are a little older but still very relevant.

[@ronyerke9250]

Before using a roughing gouge, a lot of turners cut the corners off the blanks. A 135 degree corner is easier to cut than the 90 you started with in this video.

[@brianwoodturner]

Glad to see you practicing for the sake of desiring to better your own skills and understanding. You said it well that you know the theory but putting it into practice is another thing. I'd like to suggest just a few things to help your journey as you continue to practice and learn. 1st, replace your 4-prong drive center with a safe drive center from Oneway (or equivalent). This will allow the wood to slip when you get a catch, in turn destroying less wood. 2nd, practice is softer consistent grain woods like poplar (tulip) or basswood. Much like working with hand tools, softer woods with consistent grain will be more even and cut with less force. And 3rd, slow the lathe down, the slower the better. This will allow your hands to feel more of the interaction between the cutting edge, bevel and wood. You've already pointed out the similarities between using hand tools and turning, keep noticing these as they are rampant. Remember, woodturning is just carving with a rotary vise.

[@stuartclarke9269]

Great to see you turning. They aren't catches. All you are doing is learning thread cutting. You have jumped in at the deep end with the skew. Best advise I can give you is to get some 2x2 pine and practise cutting beads and coves, parallel turning etc. Not only cheaper than hardwood but will show up any tear out even more, so you can hone your skill (and your skew 😁). If you haven't already, watch "The skew chisel with Allan Batty" from craft supplies USA. I watched this and it all just clicked. Well worth the hour watch.

[@1996zjamesb]

Suggestion for project; Chess set pieces. Lots of different shapes you can make to challenge yourself Love your channel, looking forward to watching this series!

[@JontyAshWoodworks]

Glad I watched this Matt as I've looked at wood turning and thought - how hard can it be? This is clearly yet another example of an easy way to lose my fingers/face/dignity/wallet while pursuing my passion. Bring it on... :)

[@crazy-eyewoodguy4489]

Great to see you doing this. Im somewhat in the same place as you. Ive been slowly learning the lathe. One suggestion, don't move to carbide until you learn the standard tools. They will spoil you and in my opinion you still need some of the standard style tools.

[@milandemin2758]

Tnx Matt,very brave...bowl could be a nice project...

[@EscapeMCP]

TOnce you got the hang of that, go for the segmented bowl for easy win

[@gizanked]

Transferable skills huh. Sounds like turning might be worththeeffort.

[@jamiekrogers2410]

Make a dovetail tool box with a turned handle. European mahogany is pretty good for turning handles but I think a walnut would look good on a toolbox

[@Genesis60]

Ya Hooo! Fly at it

[@merrickallard8488]

I got a lathe for christmas so don't know allot but I turn beads using a spindle gouge. I also keep the skew flat which I got from a book I have

[@Sarrienne]

Hi Matt - For a beginner's project, how about some bench dogs or maybe some chisel handles? Follow that with a *pair* of candlesticks - Good practice in consistency as each one has to be the same, can be as ornate or simple as the beginner prefers... and they make great Christmas presents!

[@jreitman2007]

what's that face shield dust mask thing? like the looks of that, not sure if it's available in the states.

[@jreitman2007]

found it!! www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-apf-10-evolution-powered-respirator-101809

[@suffolkmillwright2711]

Not sure if your camera is slower than the lathe, but with your roughing out you need miles more speed, you can also skew the angle of the roughing out gouge.

[@MattEstlea]

Yea the lathe was probably running a bit slow actually. I was too scared to turn it up! I’ll try it faster next time :)

[@welshnutterz]

You need to master the bowl gouge. 80 percent of my turning is with one. There great

[@83cajht]

few pointers I learned the "hard Way" after your rough cut, you see something called chatter, in shot the vibration of the tool making a mark in the stock on your lathe, the marks have something to do with the federate, (depth of cut and speed you're moving the tool) so pull back on the tool same movement speed will remove the chatter(wave like surface). Think on the handle of the tool like a hammer, there is a reason for the length of it, keep it close to the hip and don't grip the metal end, push down on it, hurt like !#%&?! if the tool is lifted up and the fingers are between two peaces of metal. BTW sub'ed two days ago and I love the content.

[@bttModeler]

Did you think about a second wider tool rest? In truth I'm at about your level now in woodturning (I mean the first part of the video). But I'm gonna take turning classes this year :)

[@aksting]

I was wincing through half of this video. But, happy to see the progression.

[@cluelesscleric]

Dude, loving the idea of turning Tuesday. You suggested a future project? How about the back section of a captains chair; could be fun learning how to turn simple multiples of the same thing?

[@SteveZodiac777]

Sorry to hear you've lost some of the buzz from "conventional" woodworking but this series looks fun. You've got a nice lathe there and it's fascinating to see how the piece develops. Looking forward to more!

[@richardgoebel226]

Some minor suggestions for you. Wear a smock or apron. Those wood chips are not fun to remove from shirts on laundry day. Get a longer tool rest such as a 12 inch one. The long ones give me some continuity so I don't have to constantly stop to move the banjo every 6 inches. A Sorby Steb Center in the head stock. When roughing square stock down to round if there is a tool dig in the stock will stop rotating and reduce the possibility of it coming off the lathe. If the sharp tool isn't getting the cut you want try a different cutting angle or different rotation speed. I love your attitude of using what works for you then do it.

[@MattEstlea]

Cheers for the pointers Richard. Yea those chips were a bloody nightmare to remove! A smock it is!

[@toddferguson549]

Check out Richard Raffan books and videos on turning and the skew. He has some simple and practical projects and exercises. He advocates using the skew long point down in many cases and grinding a slight curve into the skew too. His spirtles are excellent practice for skew use including smooth cutting and simple beads... Also check out Curtis Buchanan, Windsor chair maker, and his turning chair parts videos. Turning matching parts is a talent and takes practice. It is very different from turning one off projects such as bowls. To me turning is much like carving in that it can be its own area of woodworking. There are great furniture makers, turners and carvers, but to be skilled at all three is rare.

[@YouHolli]

The hard part is to make a second, equal one ^^

[@charlesarnold4963]

This is a great series with much potential. Usually we see highly skilled turners so to see someone beginning and going through the learning and development is superb and new. How about trying a simple pen?

[@fazey6498]

Awesome vid as always Matt... quick tip you might want to try holding your turning chisel with one hand near the rest, as you were, but have the other hand at the end of the chisel rather than half way up. It’s some what like holding a pool cue and it should give you some what more control. Hope this helps and if not well ima guna cry Luv George F

[@guyjones4936]

It would help you drastically to remove the corners from your turning blanks and make them octagonal. You have to remove far less material with the lathe and the blanks tend to be a bit easier on your tools and you!.

[@PeterOConnl]

I've learned turning via videos more or less, and something quite deceiving is the speed of turning videos. Learning to take my time through the cut really helped my turning.

[@stevefritzinger7076]

Good work for someone new to a lathe. Impressive how much you improved on one piece of ash. Did you lower the tool rest towards the end of the video? You had it way too high at the start, probably because you were going straight in with the roughing gouge. It looks like you lowered it a bit so you could present the skew to the workpiece at a better angle.

[@enigma7308]

Oh good, glad you're doing this, I want to learn turning aswell...but will need a cheaper lathe... I've mouths to feed dontcha know 😉

[@ianknight7165]

Id say put a hole through the centre of it put a base on and turn it into a lamp and display in your shop. Looks really nice.

[@101411726]

I don’t know if this falls under the beginner category for wood turning, but consider making a finial? They’re small, delicate, and interesting design pieces to add on to a chest of drawers or something.. definitely a test of skill in my opinion!

[@mickleblade]

Top tip. Don't wear a fleece when turning, you'll look like a sawdust monster. There's a reason guys wear smocks... though I don't like the pockets on the back 'cos I hook them on door handles!

[@davydmir6565]

I've made the mistake of wearing a knitted jumper while surface planing when the extraction is blocked.....😢

[@onlyme7939]

Wow never mind this woodwork malarkey, let’s all admire Matts new hair do💇🏻‍♂️

[@MattEstlea]

😘😘

[@danielgeng2306]

Seem like a reasonable idea ! Good luck. PS. Another plus is you kinda look like a fly with that face shield on!

[@growtyme3039]

You could cut that blank in to an octagon shape before roughing off

[@bloater5706]

You might consider lowering your lathe. Put the center line at or near waist height. Keep your tool rest near the center line as well and hold the end of the tool handle against your body at the waist. Just a thought.

[@Franco4590]

nice pepper-mill

[@wmwalkerco]

The skew scares the absolute shit out of me

[@theflagstaffkid]

what respirator is that?! really want one like that.

[@theflagstaffkid]

so for anybody who might be interested in this awesome respirator, it is a powered positive pressure respirator, this one has logos from a uk company, axminster apf 10 evolution. found some american branding too under Power Cap (PAPR). super cool. thank you Matt Estlea for the videos.

[@eduardvaniersel7535]

For the roughing gauge I have the toolrest just below center and the end of the tool at my hip to catch the impact. Also spin the workpiece as fast as you dare, more speed makes cutting easier. For the skew I have the toolrest just above center height. There is a video by Allan Batty where he explains the basic cuts with a skew: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZfIfXR-hriVp80. Also woodturner 21 here on youtube has some amazing skills with the skew.

[@jpwoodwork]

check out Mike Waldt mate, hes got an AWESOME new to turning series, Carl Jacobson is another one to look out for, both are on the KZbins.......you know Pat obviously LOL

[@nicolasnormandeau7075]

Would like to see a collaboration with Mike Waldt and yourself.

[@scottinharwood]

Great work Matt. The lathe seems a bit low for your stature, if it was up about 2-3" your could lower your too rest a bit then the roughing gouge wold transmit the torque of the face cut to the tool rest better and you would use less hand strength to hold the cut. The bevel is, as you said, the key - ride it well!