Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Cheap chisels
Gerry Doll
>A well-meaning relative gave me a set of 6 cheap Chinese chisels for Christmas in a grab bag. Cannot determine the steel, but the sides, bevel and handles are all out of square. Wooden handles out of alignment with chisel. The sides are literally bowed.
Any suggestions for tuning and usage, or should I relegate to the junk heap?
Merry Chriostmas To ALL,
Gerry
Freezing in Chicago
Re: Cheap chisels
Jack Guzman from Maine
>It all depends on the steel.If the blades are low quality save them for rough use.If they are good steel,rehandle them.I keep all junk chisels. It keeps me from wrecking an edge on a good one by hitting a nail.I do like to periodically sharpen all my junk chisels ,it makes them more useful,but I don't worry about them.Junk chisels are easy to store too.Just toss them into the bottom of a box or drawer. They don't take up much space.---Jack
Re: Cheap chisels
Neal (San Jose)
>I also have some cheap chisels that I don't mind grinding to a funny shape or odd size for that job where your good chisel just won't cut it (pun intended)! For instance I have two ground to dovetail shape for cleaning out that inside corner of dovetails where a regular chisel just won't get. It doesn't matter that they don't hold an edge long, because I do most of the work with my good chisels, and only need a pass or two with a "special".
How to square to sharpen?
Gerry Doll
>Thanks, it looks like I'll keep them for rough work. But how do I square the side to sharpen them, or do I just try to rough it free hand?
another benefit
Jack Guzman from Maine
>That's another good use for junk chisels.Freehand sharpening practice.If you make a mistake who cares?---Jack
Re: How to square to sharpen?
Jack Guzman from Maine
>If the sides are parallel, register one leg of a square on the side and mark a straight line on the edge with a marker.Grind to your line 90 deg to the back,then regrind your bevel.Or...see previous post---Jack
Skew chisel set
Jim Reed @Tallahassee
>If I had a set of cheeps to deal with, I might make a set of right or left handed skews. Mark off 45 degrees with a sharpie pen and grind away. Quinch frequently to avoid ruining the *temper*. Good luck.