What can you do with a bedan, if anything, that you can't do with a skew or beading and parting tool.
If feel I should learn to use this tool, but can't say why.
Thanks.
If feel I should learn to use this tool, but can't say why.
Thanks.
The Bedan is a traditional French tool, the Beading and Parting Tool is traditional British. They’re used in the same way, which you prefer will be down to personal preference. I think skews are a very personal tool with different people preferring different versions of the tool.What can you do with a bedan, if anything, that you can't do with a skew or beading and parting tool.
If feel I should learn to use this tool, but can't say why.
Thanks.
Confused by your description of the bedan and parting tools as scrapers, then you say you use them for peeling cuts. Both tools are shearing cutters when used that way. I never use a burr on either of those tools.Bedan is a traditional scraper. Skew is more of a negative rake scraper. Parting tools are also scrapers; just more narrow. I used a bedan for peeling cuts when the peel width is relative small, say an inch or less. For really wide diameter reduction I use an SRG. The bedan is much easier to sharpen; just raise a new burr. Whereas the skew requires a lot more care to get a really sharp edge. I will use my skew for peeling cuts if it's already in my hand and is in need of a sharpening anyway. Otherwise, I try to keep my skew for when I need a clean cut.
I use a bedan to rough out my tenons. Then add a dovetail using a skew or thin parting tool. The latter mostly, again to save my skew.
These tools are not designed as scrapers (although anything can be a scraper if presented as such) they are designed to be used as bevel rubbing, cutting, spindle turning tools. The advantage of a bedan and a beading and parting tool is that they are a hybrid of a skew and a parting tool, making them incredibly versatile in the right hands.Bedan is a traditional scraper. Skew is more of a negative rake scraper. Parting tools are also scrapers; just more narrow. I used a bedan for peeling cuts when the peel width is relative small, say an inch or less. For really wide diameter reduction I use an SRG. The bedan is much easier to sharpen; just raise a new burr. Whereas the skew requires a lot more care to get a really sharp edge. I will use my skew for peeling cuts if it's already in my hand and is in need of a sharpening anyway. Otherwise, I try to keep my skew for when I need a clean cut.
I use a bedan to rough out my tenons. Then add a dovetail using a skew or thin parting tool. The latter mostly, again to save my skew.
Indeed!! In teaching turning, I have found that parting tools are rarely used in bevel-rubbing mode. Many turners simply stick the point straight into the wood, ignoring the bevel. The result is often severe tear out due to the scraping action. Using the bevel yields nice peeling cuts. The bevel-up bedans (cf Escoulen) are very useful and can provide beautiful cuts.These tools are not designed as scrapers (although anything can be a scraper if presented as such) they are designed to be used as bevel rubbing, cutting, spindle turning tools. The advantage of a bedan and a beading and parting tool is that they are a hybrid of a skew and a parting tool, making them incredibly versatile in the right hands.
Richard
My Bedan is a great NRS …
FWIW - Jean François Escoulen will be one of our lead demonstrators at the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium in Sept.Jean François Escoulen
I have 2 theories. One is that the purpose of the bedan is to make the skew look tame by comparison. The other is that maybe the French created the bedan to get back at us Americans for harping on saving their bacon in two wars. In an case, turning with the bedan is like being a relationship with a very attractive woman--beautiful in action, but always on the brink of catastrophe. Which is maybe why the French can do it and we struggle.