Dan Kozar demonstrated how to make a mini wizard wand ornament and a freeform finial style ornament highlighting his skills with a skew.
Some of the tips he shared included:
- Set the tool rest at center when roughing and above center when using the skew
- Sand slow – it is more effective and reduces heat
- Remove the tool rest when sanding
- Make a plane cut with bottom 1/3 of the skew
- The long tip (toe) of the skew goes straight up and down to create a V cut (vertical)
- Don’t wrap your fingers around the piece or use a cloth to avoid getting hurt, use paper instead so it tears away vs. pulling you in
- Friction finish (oil, alcohol, shellac) and hut wax is a quick and easy way to finish ornaments
