Chisel making questions

Re: Chisel making questions

jim_reed@marietta

>Brass is copper with zinc added for strength, so copper is softer than brass. I think copper would probably work well for a chisel ferrule. Blade seating was traditionally done by heat--heat tip red hot with torch and slam it in. The problem with glue is constant pounding will probably cause fractures and weaken it over time. Good luck with your project. What kind of chisels are you going to make?

Re: Chisel making questions

Frank D. in Montreal

>Thanks Jim,

I'm not going to make pounders since I already have a decent set. I just got my A2 steel this week (haven't actually picked it up though) and am going to make dovetail chisels, paring chisels, a fishtail, skews, and a few thin ones (a 1/16" and a 1/8"). On the paring chisels I won't use a ferrule at all, but I thought on the dovetails I might be giving the odd mallet tap on really hard woods, so I'll use ferules just to be safe.

Might as well throw in a pic of my marking knife; I know it's nothing special compared to the tools I've seen made on this forum. I still haven't sharpened the blade.

Why Glue?

Todd Hughes

>Why would you want to glue the tangs in the handle? Chisels have been made fine for hundereds of years with out gluing the tangs in. I have chisels that are over 150 years old and they weren't glued in and they are still fine.....I know some people now days like to think they can "improve" everything even simple tradtional hand tools but can something as simple as how a chisel tang be fitted into it's wooden handle be really improved on?....esp. by epoxing it in?.....Todd

Re: Why Glue?

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Todd,

I just thought glue might make it easier to fit the tang into the handle (my fears: the handle splitting, not drilling the holes the right size, making the tang the correct angle). But I'm sure it's just a case of being afraid of what I've never done. I'll look it up in the archives and see what's been posted (I remember there have been some good threads on how to do this) and I'll give it a go. I guess I'll just copy a tang from one of my files.

Thanks for pushing me a little,

Frank

mounting handles

Bill Tindall, E. TN

>We posted a discussion of mounting handles about a year ago. I will send it to you in document form to your email address provided.

If you leave the "tang" end of the chisels flat, the flat surface provides a great deal of support for pounding and it takes little to secure the chisel in the handle.

One of us, Phil, has used copper bushings and pipe for all his ferrules. Personally, I didn't like the looks of it but obviously that is a personal consideration.

Re: mounting handles

John Meikrantz

>Bill,

Can you copy me on the doc as well? Thanks!

John

done

Bill Tindall, E. TN

>

Pink Ivory Handles?

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>I must confess that I do not know the strength of Pink Ivory so I don't know if it'll make for a good handle or not. given that, I can't see using Pink Ivory for handles. I thought that was a super exotic wood, and only the privlegded few such as Chiefs was allowed to have it. Maybe I'm getting it mixed up with something else eh?

Sure would hate to see waste this wood if it turns out to be not a good choice for handles is all.

Very nice job on the shaping, fit and finish of that marking knife handle. Looks like it would be quite comfortable to hold. You certainly have nothing to be ashamed of that's for sure.

Todd O.

Re: Pink Ivory Handles?

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Todd,

Since these aren't bangers I figure I can pretty well use any wood that suits my fancy. After reading your post I gave it a few whacks with a hammer and it seems to hold up pretty well. Actually I can gloat on this one; I found it in the "surprise bin" at my favourite wood dealer's. They are small pieces (about 1-1/4" square, 12" long) and I cleaned out the bin: 7 pieces for $2 (Canadian) each; regular price was $12 each) :) Didn't I tell you I'm a Grand Chief? Can't see what else I'll be using such small pieces for; I picked them up to make the handles, such a pretty wood.

Fit for a king!

jim_reed@marietta

>I think you got a real score on the wood and it will make a grand handle!

Re: Pink Ivory Handles?

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>Yeah, I'd have to agree that they'd make some beautiful handles. Best put them under lock and key as somebody else might think so as well. :~(

Funny (but sad) story) I'm reading a book called Kabloona by Gontran de Poncins whom was a Frenchman that travelled way, way, way, up North to the Artic circle in the late '30 to study the Eskimos. To illistrate a point he was trying to make about their dedication to the hunting of seals, and of their single-mindedness he told the following story which I'll try to relay: Seems there was 3 Eskimos out on the trail seal hunting, one night they stopped for the night and built an igloo. Once settled inside the igloo it was noticed that there was a bit of a hole in the top, so one of them, (Eskimo #1 we'll say) went on top of the igloo to fix it. While up there his jacket came open and exposed his rather large belly. While inside looking up Eskimo #2 says to Eskimo #3 that Eskimo #1 has a fine belly, and that he'd like so much to stick his knife into such a fine belly. Eskimo #3 agrees that #1 has a very fine belly , and that it would indeed be nice to stick a knife into such a fine belly. After a few more minutes of thinking about this #2 jumps up and with his knife sticks the belly of #1! Seems the temptation to so was just to overpowering, and #2 just simply couldn't help himself.

So, best to put your Pink Ivory handled chisels under lock and key, just in case I, er, er, WW #2 drops by eh?

All Hail to the Grand Chief of Montreal. ;~)

Todd O.

making handles

Jack Guzman from Maine

>One of the first woodworking projects I tackled was making handles for flea market chisels.They're cheaper without the handles. I copied pictures and broken handles.I made both tanged and socket styles and I had no problem . I think you'll find they're easy to do. Never used any glue.

That knife looks like a keeper to me. Keep them coming.---Jack

Pink Ivory's tough

David Barnett

>I have pink ivory handles and they've held up just fine. The ferrules on two of them are case-hardened steel (plain old low carbon stuff with Kasenit), and it's a very pretty combination; a sort of pearlescent grey. It's great with oxidized sterling silver, too, which is a darker grey than the steel. It's a winner.

Trivium: Pink Ivory's the species of choice for making gem carving points and wheels (article in this month's Lapidary Journal), which is where most of mine ends up. It holds diamond beautifully and outlasts all other woods. Boxwood, Gaboon ebony, and Mediterranean briar (heath root) are up there, too.

Tempering

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>Frank are you going to send the chisels out to be tempered or just DIY?

Thanks! Got it.

John Meikrantz

>

for girl chisels?

Bill Tindall, E. TN

>sorry Pam, couldn't resist............

Re: for girl chisels? *LINK*

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>:) I was just thinking how I love pink and close relatives. That's not really ivory, is it? Some kind of exotic wood?

Pam


Pink ivory (Rhamnus Zeheri)

Re: Pink Ivory Handles?

Charles

>I remember reading somewhere (Wood) that Pink Ivory was not especially rare, just that it was in short supply because of constant war in the area it was grown or was surrounded by. I guess wood cutters make good target practice.

Actually...

David Barnett

>It's so scattered that it's very difficult to commercially exploit. You're right, though, it's not scarce in the sense that it's endangered.

Re: Tempering

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Jim,

I could handle a little 01, but A2 will go to the heat treater's. It's cheating a little, butit's cheap and I can't get myself to spend $250 US on five chisels made out of A2. I like A2 steel so I'll have it treated and put on handles with pink ivory and pay a lot less. :)

Thanks all

Frank D. in Montreal

>

Glad to hear that

Frank D. in Montreal

>I think it's important. I have changed woods for a project a few times after doing research on endangered species. And to think, my wood supplier has 1" by 7" macassar ebony boards, 8 feet long! :(

Re: for girl chisels?

Frank D. in Montreal

>I'm not insecure, Pam so that's fine by me. :)

Nice gloat!

Roger Nixon

>