LACER’S SKEW WARMUPS

Suggested wood type and dimensions: something soft and dry such as alder, poplar or pine, approximately 1 ¾” square and 5” to 6” in length.

BLOCK #1:

Remove corners from ½ the length using a planing method, the other half by peeling.

Turn the block to an even cylinder using a planing cut.

From the middle, taper the bock down to a straight taper just slightly larger than the drive center; do the same to the other half.

Turn the block back into a small cylinder.

Avoid hitting the drive centers (leave larger diameters at the ends); turn as small a cylinder as possible.

BLOCK #2:

Turn a cylinder from the block.

For 1/3^rd of the length create V’s that are below the diameter of the cylinder

For another 1/3rd of the length create V’s that are proud of the surface

For the remaining portion of the cylinder create several individual micro beads, then a grouping of three or four micro beads

Face off both ends of the cylinder with shoulder cuts.

BLOCK #3:

Create a square shouldered pommel on one end of the square, a rounded shouldered pommel on the other end.

Peel into the middle to create space for two more pommels. Do a rounded pommel on the left side, a lamb’s tongue/ogee shouldered pommel on the other.

BLOCK #4

Turn the block into a cylinder. Starting at the left, lay out three beads approximately 1” wide, then three 7/8” wide, then three ¾” wide, then three ½” wide.

BLOCK #5

Turn the block to a cylinder. In the middle turn a 3/8” wide bead that is proud of the cylinder. Using saucer cuts, cut the bead free of the cylinder.

Using a coving cut, trap the bead within a deep cove.

On the side near the headstock, about ½ “ from the end, make a series of V cuts. Round over the end of the remaining stock that is close to the V cut. With a series of V cuts, part off the stock leaving a nice rounded end.

BLOCK #6

Find a blank with one or more large, solid knots. Plane the square into a rounded shape being careful around the knots. Try to cut the knots as cleaning as possible by using a planing method. Vary the angle of presentation and a very slow feed rate. Complete by light scraping across the knot.