Robert Sorby Spindlemaster

[JollyJim]

Hi Both, yep, will do

no more knocking the skew and the spindlemaster is in the drawer !!!!

thanks again for your replies

best wishes - Jim

[Derek]

The spindlemaster has it's place but as stated is not really a replacement for the skew. I learnt with basic tools and got to understand them. Many people starting out get the impression that some of the new tools being brought out for turners are the answer to all of there problems. For example the carbide tipped tools so many think they will make them a great turner, personally I don't like them even though I have a set only because some one gave them to me.
I don't turn as a profession but as a hobby turner who enjoys making what I do.

[JohnHewes]

For my threepennyworth I have found it easier to grind the skew with slightly rounded corners and a distinct convex face. I can explain it to myself in that it is easier to get the cut on, it is not as critical as you lift the handle end and dig ins are very few now.
Also don’t forget how useful the skew is when just using the corners to cut beads and grooves.
I haven’t got it perfected, but have improved a lot with this grind.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

We must remember that for some turners the spindlemaster will be the best thing since sliced bread but the rest of us should, I feel, learn how to turn using the basic tools first before branching out into unknown territory. As an apprentice one of the things I remember doing is being shown how to turn a bead on a piece of wood. I then had to turn ten identical beads next to it and get the chap teaching me to inspect them. His comment was usually "nah!" as he put a cross on poor beads, most of them infact but eventually there would be ocassional "yup" and a tick.My aim was to turn ten beads correctly ten times in a row. If I got one wrong I started from the beginning again. Took me about six weeks and then I was shown how to do coves using the same method.
 I say to the students that come for lessons that there are only two things that will make you a good turner, one is sharp tools and the other is time spent at the lathe. We have all heard of the 10,000 hours, there are no short cuts . It is a bit like the artist who said that every stroke of paint was thought about before it was made so in woodturning when every cut is deliberate, think of the final shape and use the chisel to make it.

[bodrighywood]

I didn't have the priviledge of an apprenticeship but I was taught in school to treat every cut as a practice cut and aim to make it perfect. When all you have is skews and scrapers you try hard believe me.

Pete

[fuzzyturns]

I am all the way with John on the two things that will make you a good turner, and I'd like to offer a third: a good understanding how tools cut the wood.
Once this understanding is in place, it doesn't matter which tool you pick up, you figure out how it cuts the wood and off you go. I'd venture to say that people who struggle with the skew, will also struggle with the spindlemaster, and every other tool.

[JollyJim]

Thanks again everyone for your time.

I've watched the advised videos, listened to all your suggestions
and have practised and finally felt that I got somewhere.
I've only messed about with some scrap but, no prob, I used
both the flat skew and the oval and, for the most part, felt I was
in control.  I wanted to try turning between centres with my new
collet chuck (which I am knocked out with......thanks Derek).
To start with, I made a dead centre from Polyethylene using the
skew.(I was surprised how hard this material is, as I'd read in other
posts how easy it turns...) Anyway, I mounted an acrylic pen
blank on this centre, live end at the tailstock, took it down to
round with a roughing gouge and used the skew from there
on in. I got it to almost finished and was intending to get
to a point where I did'nt even need to sand it cos I
was getting on so well,  when I got clumsy and caught the
long point which, not only broke the acrylic, but nackered the brass tube.
Not to be beaten, I skewed the rest of the acrylic off, which was good
practice and went well, and used an apple blank this time. Again,
used the skew right down to final and just needed a top up with
1200 grit,

So, thanks to all your encouragement and good advice, I feel
as though I'm finally getting somewhere - just another
999,950 hours to go.....

thanks again chaps -Top Class Forum - regards, Jim

[BrianH]

can I be the first to congratulate and thank Jim for his last entry.

Congratulate him on his obvious move forward and thank him for letting us all know about it. How many times in the past have people set a problem, taken all the various pieces of advice offered and then disappeared never to be heard of again?
All the best Jim
Brian

[JollyJim]

Thanks Brian

....much appreciated...

regards - Jim

[JollyJim]

Hi All,

It's probably under the wrong subject now, but heigh-ho, I just
thought I would give a quick update for those
that helped me with all the advice in this post on the skew.

I've not been in the garage much lately, but a few weeks
ago I made a few pens and an urn for the ashes of our
beloved 20 year old cat,most of the work apart from
getting to the round with a  roughing gouge, was done
with the 1inch skew. I found I was getting much more
confident, and more importantly, why it was working
in the way that it was.

Yesterday, I needed to start work on a length of 2x2 rough
sawn elm. I really tested myself and went at it from square,
with the skew and, yep, so far so good. And again, I was
finally understanding how it all works. I did'nt have time to
finish it, but I've put a piccie up here to show progress.

So, thanks again everyone who gave me the shove I
needed.....upwards and onwards  !!!!!!

Best wishes to all - Jim

ps and, yes, I did actually put the spindlemaster in the drawer !!!!

[Bryan Milham]

Jim,

more power to you for persisting with the skew, and not surrendering to it. Well done.

Bryan

[Derek]

Jim,

more power to you for persisting with the skew, and not surrendering to it. Well done.

Bryan

+1 for what Bryan said

[BrianH]

its a damn shame I couldn't get you over here for a skewy lesson Jim. I could so easily have nicked all the glory of your obvious progress...…..

Whats next? Skewing your way into all those przzies on Christmas day?

All the best and happy Chrimble
Brian

[JollyJim]

Hi All,

thanks y'all for the replies....

I fear, I'm not gonna be allowed any time to myself in the
garage for a few weeks as I will, no doubt,  be sternly directed
as to what and when and who(???hahaha) I can enjoy.

At the moment, I'm trying to finish the task I started 6 weeks ago,
of backing up the main computer, which should theoretically,
be a reasonably simple job. Theory says, 'copy this folder
from this place to that place'. Practice says '****ocks' !!!!
And that's where the time goes...

Brian, don't eat all the mince pies yet - I'm still only
really doing 'easy' pieces although I'm quite happy with
my progress.....But ...,, I foresee lots of nicks and
bad language coming along when I try for coves
and beads and things !!



best wishes - Jim

[BrianH]

Horses for courses I always say, Jim. In my opinion our Mr Skewy just isn't the best tool for cutting coves and is even questionable for beads. People folk just like to challenge themselves I suppose...…. Is that a howl of derision I hear?
Brian