The turner's chisel, called the turner's skew chisel, and shown in Fig. 265, is used on nearly every piece of work. It differs from the common firmer

Fig. 265. Skew Chisel chisel by having a bevel at each side, and the cutting edge at an angle. Fig. 266 indicates the shape of the cutting edge.

Turning chisels are much heavier than the common bench chisels; and there is no bolster at the end of the handle to prevent it being driven too far on to the chisel. Turning chisels are usually made in sizes from J inch to 2 inches, but for ordinary light work a 1/4-inch, a 1/2-inch, and a 1-inch chisel are sufficient, The shape and angle

Fig. 266. Cutting End of Skew Chisel.

of the cutting edge has much to do with the ease with which the chisel is used.

Great care should be taken in grinding and whetting these tools. Unless the grindstone is quite true, it is useless to attempt to grind such chisels, except by holding them free-hand, as shown in Fig. 267.

Fig. 267. Grinding a Skew Chisel.

To hold them free-hand is not difficult. One hand bears them against the stone, and the other hand holds the blade at the proper angle.

This is done by a combination of two movements. The hand may be raised or lowered, or it may revolve the chisel handle.

By watching the flow of water past the tool, and by frequently removing it to see where the stone is cutting, you may soon learn how to grind a skew chisel properly.

Do not be satisfied until the cutting edge is straight from the acute to the obtuse angle, and both angles of a correct size. The two bevelled surfaces should also be perfect. If there is any roundness near the edge, it will hinder the chisel from resting properly on the work, and render it much more liable to catch and injure the piece.

In whetting the skew chisel, keep the surface as near true as possible. Do not form another angle with the oilstone, as in whetting the carpenter's chisel. The skew chisel is for cutting, and should not be used as a scraping tool. This, however, is done sometimes because no other chisel is at hand. Chisels for scraping are called scraping tools, and are described under that head.