For making beads I am getting proficient with a skew. But I see these beading tools for sale. They look like they would only scrape a bead? What is the scoop on this?
If they just leave a scraped surface, why bother, I like the cut surface left by the skew.
Anybody have any insight into this mystery tool?
John
Assuming you're talking about a real beading tool, and not the scraper-with-bead-shaped-cutouts tool...
Beading tools are designed to make beads. You use the edge just like you'd use the skew's edge, but in theory, the geometry of the beading tool's shaft helps you roll the bead more easily, if the bead is the same size as the shaft. I often use my parting tool as a tiny beading tool this way.
Think of it as a short fat skew that isn't skewed ;-)
The scraper-with-bead-shaped-cutouts tool is for when speed and consistency are more important than surface quality, or for people who haven't mastered beads with a skew and would rather do other things, but need beads anyway.
John
Keep using the skew - the beading tool is good, but the skew is better - plus it keeps you form being afraid of using the skew
ray
Other thing is, as you roll the beading tool , you don't have a piece of it hanging in the way over the bead waiting for a catch. Think of it as a chisel. Now think of how handy a 1" wide one would be to run spindles. Imagine being able to determine the degree of skew for the cut on your own!
"Ray Sandusky" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com...
Absolutely agree!
I use to say, crutches might help everybody to a more secure walk, but some like it quick and elegant!-)
Bjarte
Thanks to all for the replies.
Well my problem is it doesn't look like it can be very sharp.
Does it leave a nice cut surface? Or does it just bludgeon out a bead and then it needs to be sanded lots?
John
After buying all sorts of specialty tools (not only for turning) and finding that you can use a regular tool for the same purpose with a bit of practice I now avoid them. Not saying there isn't a place for them but they are only good for one thing and often they just sit on the shelf. Billh
Hmmm, people go each way on this thing.
I appears that it cannot get very sharp and hence, leave a nice surface?
Thanks to all who answered.
John
It may be "sharp" as can be. Sharp enough to cut you without feeling it. Problem is, it's scraping, not cutting. On nice close-grained wood, or where consistency in shape is important, a light touch will do well. It's still not cutting, though, which is what produces a clean surface. You're going to have to sand, or reverse the lathe and burnish the grain you picked up back into the surface.
================================== Hi, A bedan can be used for this. It works like a skew, but, IMHO, at a better working angle. You can use a 1/4-1/2 inch beveled chisel as a bedan to see if you like it (or permanently).
Ken Moon Webberville, TX
I had to go look for pictures to see what one is!
I will give a chisel a try today!
Thanks.
John
Ken Mo> Hi,
I llike the clean surface the skew leaves. It's just that it is a little prone to being catchy sometimes.
I didn't think the beading tool was used in a scraping mode but a cutting mode. i was concerned about the surface because the angle it gets sharpend to looks about to be 70 degrees?
But if it is used as a scraper, well then I will leave it alone. More scrapers I don't need.
John
George wrote:
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