Back in November I saw a YT video of a guy in the UK demonstrating a Lathe tool he made that he called a Lathe Knife. He got this name from some translated Russian that he found showing this tool in use. Anyway, he said he'd been using this tool and really found it much easier to use than the Skew. He called it the "Skew Killer"! So he made a bunch and posted them on his Etsy page. There were a number of turners that saw his video and ordered this tool from him, me included. Well, here it is, nearly the end of May and still no Lathe Knife. I've been round and round with communications and excuses why he hasn't shipped my tool yet. I keep hearing, "your's will be in the post next week". Yet still no tool! So today I dug through my bucket or worn out mill files and selected a good specimen. I didn't bother to soften the file, I just went at it with the grinder and a cut-off wheel. Here's the end result prior to sharpening to 1200 grit on a CBN wheel on my Work Sharp then a leather strop. I gave it a quick spin on the lathe and it works great! Oh yeah, I've requested a refund from the loser that doesn't deliver!
Normally with the Skew, I can do some spindle planing without a catch but when it comes to bead rolling, forget it! I'll get a catch every time, or the wood won't resemble a bead in the slightest. So I tried to actually get a catch and it wouldn't do it. I did a bit of toe plunging (sharp edge up) and that worked beautifully as well. I also did some heel plunging (sharp edge down) and that was simple as the toe plunge. Mine being made from a file is square at this point, and small. I'd like to make a larger one, possibly forged from a larger rod or brazed onto the end of a round shaft if that's possible. I'll probably do some more refining of the shaft on mine to make it easier to use. But at this point, the first results look really promising! Oh, your question....Bead Rolling: Yes! I did roll some beads and it works great! Very easy to control, but probably easier if the shaft was round.
