Today in the shop (shopsmith Stabilax)

[benush26]

I was one who rounded the flat edges (top and bottom) of the skew. For a while I also forced 5" or so length of clear milking hose on a skew which gave a similar rounded edge and helped dampen the bounce and chatter.
Another method was taking a piece of copper tubing, then filling the empty space with whatever was handy to keep the skew from moving around inside the tube. I saw a few of the hollow tube style with thumbscrews on the side advertised. I never did buy either style, but was concerned that a leading edge might interfere with the spindle. Probably the reason for the tapered ends.

Personally I think it was an interesting learning aid and a nice way to allow someone to get the feel of "riding the bevel", but more specifically "seeing" where the tool edge needs to be, to make the cut without catching.

Be well,
Ben

[everettdavis]

It was offered in a 1 1/4" and a 1 1/2" back in the day of the article.

I first saw one when I took a 2 day Shopsmith course in early 1980's when I bought my first new Shopsmith at the store in North Dallas on Central Expressway. It came free with the machine. I was the only one who had signed up for that day (and actually attended) and I had two instructors all to myself. It was far more than I had hoped for.

The one for sale on Woodworker.com shows to be 2 3/4" today.

Everett