upgrade chisel question - long

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

Guillermo Rougier

>If you are not in a hurry I would collect older chisels..they are cheap, of great quality(most brand names) and you'll feel you are preserving a little piece of history. The best source for them are flea markets and e-bay. Handles are usually a problem and many will need to be restored. A lathe is great help here.

Give the oldies a try you'll be hooked!

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

Patrick Gibbons

>We all feel your pain. Flattening the backs of edge tools is tedious work. I own the Ashley Iles chisels and found they were not so time consuming as other chisels to tune up. I have some Crown chisels and they required a bit more work. My Marples didn't require that much work, however, and I don't think this should be your main concern. The new Lie-Nielsen chisels have been reported by others here as being as near out-of-the-box-ready-to-use as one can expect. I own one of their mortise chisels and was very pleased with its condition when I received it. If you want new chisels because you're tired of trying to ready your Marples for use, I don't think that buying new will satisfy you. If you want better chisels, that's another matter. I would advise you to prepare the other three Marples and consider the time invested as good experience honestly done. After much perseveration on the same subject, I purchased the Harris cast iron lapping plates with diamond paste to use specifically to flatten backs. Scary sharp rounded the edges over and diamond stones lost their agressiveness too quickly for my tastes. I am against water stones on principle as I do not wish to encourage rust.

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

Bob Powers

>Patrick,

I would suggest that you seriously consider the Lie-Neilsen chisels. After using a set of blue-handled Marples for many years, I decided to try the Lie-Neilsen's. I just completed a chest with fifteen drawers, all dovetailed. Judging from the improvement in the dovetails from my previous efforts, I have to assume the chisels were responsible. You don't suppose they embed "smart" chips in them do you?

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

Dave Anderson Chester, NH

>A couple of things first before I proceed to give my opinion on chisels themselves. You will only have to flatten the back of a chisel once during its life, so that should figure into your choice. Second, no matter what you do, you will be sharpening for the rest of your woodworking life. Edge retention is a combination of the hardness/toughness of the steel and of the choice of bevel angle. Lower angles pare better, but are more prone to edge chipping.

I own a few Crown chisels bought before I knew better and while cosmetically they are flashy and bright, their performance and the quality of the steel is mediocre at best. The often wonder if the bright shiny finish is a way of hiding the fact that the backs were not flat.

I don't own any of the Hirsch/Two cherries chisels, but they get almost universally good reviews as a great bang for the buck.

Antique chisels from Buck Bros, Charles Buck, Underhill, Witherby, Swan, P,S,&W, Barton, and a host of others are usually wonderful in performance and edge retention and are often available at a good price.

If you want to spend the money (I did), the bench chisels from Lie-Nielsen are wonderful in every way including easy initial preparation, edge retention, toughness, looks, balance, and durability. Remember that these would last at least into your childs lifetime, maybe even your grandchilds.

The bottom line is that only you can do the price-Quality-value equation.

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

Wendell @ Murphy, TX

>Patrick,

Can you give more information on the Harris cast iron lapping plates? Where to buy? Cost? I've been looking for some cast iron substrates to use with diamond paste.

Wendell

Re: upgrade to Chas Buck

Ron in Kokomo

>Get them on e bay one or two at a time. They are truly wonderful tools.

Ron

Re: upgrade to Chas Buck

Guillermo Rougier

>True...but only the old ones, either witha an hehagonal bolster or socketed. The newer (50's? on) have rounb bolsters and are made with inferior steel.

I`ll make you an offer...

Bob Hackett

>Seeing as how you`ve got a new family and funds are tight.Let me know what sizes you`re looking for and what configuration and I`ll see what I have in the old chisel drawer.

These would be reconditioned Buck,Swan,Whitherby,etc,all socket chisels.Between me and Ernie we can probably cover what you need.If you don`t have a lathe then I`ll turn handles for you as soon as I heal from this surgery(or maybe get a buddy to do it sooner).

The price?Whatever you feel is appropriate payable to Ellis and WC.

How`s that for a holiday deal?

Mainely,Bob

I've got a few to help out as well...

Andy Lincoln,In Dearborn MI

>I'm sure I can find one or two or even three chisels to donate to the cause.Let me know what,where,and when.

Andy

Signing on

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Matt,

Post your list here, and among the rust hunters in the group, I think we can set you up. As Bob says, the price would be what you felt you could afford, paid to Wood Central.

Bill, who somehow has acquired an extra drawer's worth of chisels.

Re: Signing on

Matt

>I cannot thank you enough. I was not expecting generosity. Thank you.

I�m looking for 1/8, �, 3/8. �, �, 1�. I would also love a � mortise chisel if anyone has an old one lying around. Of course, that�s an extensive list, but I don�t expect that much generosity. I still cannot believe you guys would do this. Let me know how I can handle shipping.

I am quite willing to make a donation to Ellis and WC.

Do you know any guys willing to part with some usable #4 and #7 plane? Nothing pretty, just usable. I got a GROZ #5 last year, not very impressed. Anyhow, thanks again.

You�ve made my Christmas,

Matt

Re: upgrade chisel question - long *LINK*

Patrick Gibbons

>Sorry Wendell, I can't really help you now. I bought mine from Woodworker's Supply when they closed them out and had them greatly discounted. There is a kit they make which includes two cast iron plates with four prepared sides, an aluminum bed to hold them in while in use, some diamond pastes and a wooden case to hold them. The link I provided is to what I believe to be the retail arm of the manufacturer. If you do some searching you should find it cheaper.


http://http://www.croutpost.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?page=TCO/CTGY/SHARP

Re: Signing on

johnjesseph

>I have a number four to spare, should be ready to go. E-mail me your address, I'll get it to you. Send Ellis a very small donation, just a token of appreciation is all. Make some stuff. Don't get wrapped up in getting all kinds of tools is all I ask, and post some pics of finished work. I have way too much rust in my shop and need to do something with it, we are moving in the next few months...

Re: Signing on

Paul Erickson

>Hi Matt,

I have a 4 you can have. It even has the set screws to index the blade ala Veritas. Send me a private email with your address.

cheers, Paul

Bob, Andy, Bill, John, Paul, et al.,

Patrick Gibbons

>Merry Christmas to you all. A generous and fine group of gentlemen (and I'm sure the ladies will respond too) everyone.

What I can cover

Bob Hackett

>I looked real quick and I have a 1/4,3/8,1/2 and 1" Whitherbys I can kick in plus 1/8 and 1/4 mortice chisels all with handles already so I`m off the hook for turning.

That leaves 1/8 and 3/4.How about it guys.

I also have a #6 size Keen Kutter that needs a tote if you can use it instead of a #7.

So Matt,where do we send all this rust to?

Mainely,Bob

Re: Signing on

Paul Erickson

>Hi Matt,

Did a bit more looking, and I have a Diamond Edge #7, that has had the rust removed, and been repainted, along with the setscrews for keeping the blade indexed. If you don't get a better deal, this is yours.

cheers, Paul

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

ThomD

>Sounds like you are set, however while you are waiting, and stuck with the marples, or for anyone else similary aflicted....

Those are good chisels. Not great, but not much improvement possible in the mid-price range. I don't like the long blades, so I cut them to about 2/3rds the length, with plunge cuts on a grinder. Not necesarry, but reduces vibe.

You can speed up the convenience factor by sharpening them on sandpaper. Faster than the drying your hands off part with waterstones.

When I used to do seminars I always did some joinery with Marples or LeeValley plastic handled butt chisels. Not an aesthetic gratification just holding them, but the joints come out the same.

Type 11 #4

Steve Kubien

>You guys are just amazing! Gotta love the generosity in this crowd. I've got a type 11 #4 Stanley that has lots of life in it. It was my user for quite a few years and it ready to go to work after a quick honing. It's yours for the already established Ellis/WC donation. I've got 2 small kids of my own so I know money can be tight.

Let me know,

Steve Kubien

Ajax, Ontario

Gratitude

Matt

>Everyone,

Thank you all for the advice and tools. I am humbled by the generosity. It looks as if I'll be making a much overdue donation to WC. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas. Looks like I'll be having fun checking the mail.

Cheers,

Matt

Re: upgrade chisel question - long

dave caudill

>Matt I too have a lot of chisels I have acquired if you don't find what you are looking for elsewhere. You can write me at the e-mail address above if you would like.

Dave

This group never ceases to amaze. Wonderful!

Garrett in Victoria

>

Nerts

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>my redundant chisels in 1/8" and 3/4" are project chisels:

1/8" is extensively pitted, so it's not very pretty, but the back and bevel cleaned up OK. It's a socket chisel, and I've got a handle that will fit it with a little fussing. Not sure of the maker - the name is deeply stamped in, but the pits obscure the name.

For 3/4", I've got a Stanley No. 50, which is a carpenter's chisel (yellow plastic handle, metal cap), or a no-name "forged steel USA" socket chisel - no handle, I'm afraid, and no currently working lathe to turn one.

E-mail me if you decide you want one of these.

Bill, who can remember having kids and no money - but that's OK, because money doesn't hug you goodnight

Re: What I can cover

Jack Guzman from Maine

>I have a tote I made for a stanley #6 size that I don't need.If it fits you can have it.---Jack