This video was made as a result of requests on social media and is at a diffferent angle to show the body movement and grip on the tool handle while turning a stair spindle.
Watched it the first time watching your body movements and had movements. Now I have to go and watch it a second time to see that beautiful spindle appear.
The "hours of flight" that this man has are directly proportional to the speed and comfort with which he performs when turning. Great technique, Great job !!!
Thanks so much, Steve. I've just taken on the task to turn 66 spindles to reproduce the original balustrade for an 1893 cricket pavilion. If I practice for a couple of years, I think I that I can complete the task! :-)
I am convinced you are second to no one when it comes to skew work, truly amazing to watch Steve, always look forward to see your spindle turning, thanks. think aboutmaking some traing dvd or ..
Sure was fun to watch. Here's a video of another skew master who lives here in Maine: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1AzTyWmZGHk.html I'm sure there are other skew experts out there too who don't have their name on their own line of tools.
There are many experts out there and I am sure there are hundreds that we don’t know about just going along unknown but doing amazing work. Ps. I don’t have my name to any tools and presume most turners don’t
You certainly deserve to if skills have anything to do with it. I've recently watched many of your past videos and watching you is like comparing a pro golfer to a weekend hacker. Thanks for taking the time to post your videos.
Too, I have listen to folks with their names on tools who say they "don't get along with skews" which to me seems amazing. I am certainly no pro, not even close, and have no right to comment on this, but I simply could not imagine spindle turning without a skew. However, I do get a chuckle, just when I think, Steve, you have gotten yourself into a box with your skew and into a position where there is no way out, I say ok he is going to screw up now.. Somehow you back away and there is a perfect this or that under all the chips. Truly amazing to watch a pro at anything..
I was in awe of his skill! Something to strive for b/c apparently I have a knack for using it. (I’m a newbie but have no issues using it...the gouges though are another issue)
@@woodturner21 I learned in my late 50’s! I hadn’t turned since I was 15-16yo in Jr. high. Hubs &I took a course & he’s advanced so much further than I have. I impressed our instructor-I supposed it helped that I didn’t know the skew was to be feared! It just did what I want done & did it very nicely.
I have such a long way to go ... but I've started walking :-) Bought the smallest Record lathe last year. Got it set up on it's own bench and with tools hanging over it (in front of me). My ambition is just to learn spindle turning so I can make chair & table legs and such for my furniture. I've just started using it: made myself a dozen blanks of softwood, pine, not too long. Try do do some turning each day before I leave the shop for dinner. I've set the lathe to the slowest speed so that I have to cut / slice the wood and not power through on high speed brute force. And the catches aren't so scary at slow speed. I've managed to make some smooooth surfaces and I'm getting more confident, practising beads & coves, slowly getting a feel for it. It's good fun ! Your videos are a great inspiration - it's very useful to watch a master in action.
Sorry I didn’t see your reply. I don’t know. It’s crazy stuff. I guess briar wood would be the best. Highest burning point of any wood. Used for tobacco pipes. lol.
If only I could have half your ability with the skew, I would be happy. I came across your name when i was reading Woodturning Magazine in an artical by Adam Cornish he recommended you highly.
Not a tutorial? I heard one guy's story when he was apprentice, the first year he wasn't allowed to measure, mark, or cut anything, but to hand the tools and watch his master. This is tutorial and thank you for that :D
Thanks Steve as always a helpful video and much appreciated. It got me wondering what comes first- body movements or correct cutting. I'm guessing they are so linked that you can'tdo one without the other.
They are linked, you can turn using just your hands and arms and many do but you have less control. I was taught straight away to have the tool in contact with the arm or body and it comes as second nature.
Another question if I may, does the larger handles of your tools allow better control? Like the size of tennis racket handle or baseball bat. I keep watching and learning. Thanks.
Steve, I watched this a couple of times. Today I picked up on tucking the handle between the body and forearm. Using a rithym cutting the beads. I may be using to much pressure holding the bevel on the work, it gets very shiny, burnished? if I let up the pressure or back up a little a skate happens. Maybe you are using your right hand to hold the bevel, it seems like it is guiding the skew. So this leaves the left hand to hold the tool on the rest? Its going good just seems too exhausting for what I get done. Do you have a book out ? Thanks for this video.
Lathe speed is 1200rpm The black you see is just the scorch marks on the wood from 1,000’s of spindles. I occasionally add a little carnauba wax but that’s all.
It will help. You need to turn the diameter accurately to the cut out so you then don’t need much pressure. If you place it on a section you will reduce later you can remove and marks it makes.
I have done cocobolo, it’s exactly the same technique but takes longer. Where it takes one cut you need two. Check out my Facebook page or instagram and there is videos using Lignum Vitae, black Palm etc.
