Am I the only one who...

Re: Am I the only one who...

Dave Thompson

>Hi Bob, I buy the old chisels too, though I don't hot rod them quite to the same degree. I've made a few handles, though, given my skill on a lathe, it takes a while. I always flatten and re-bevel my new chisels. I haven't gotten into re-heat treating them though. I guess I put trust in the manufacturer to have done it right the first time, and just do my best not to screw up the temper by getting it too hot.

I've been making new handles for my chisels.... so far each has been a different wood. Ash, lilac and dogwood. The next one was going to be osage orange, but my stock turned out to be too small. I figure it'll be easier to spot the 1/2" in my chisel holder if I associate it to grabbing the dogwood one.

Regarding shape, I've been sticking to the common Witherby original shape. Though close runner ups for me were the Stanley Everlast/LN style, and the current (and quite different) plane roundish boxwood Sorby Sash chisel handle style. Haven't spent much time thinking about balance, but I have given some thought to what feels good in the hand.

enjoy,

Dave

Re: Am I the only one who...

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>Bob I truly believe that I would modify a tool to make it more suitable if it fit the criterion. (inexpensive or user tool grade) But unlike you I don't have the experience to reheat treat. Hardening and tempering are beyond my skillset. In response to the higher end tools...when a tool is very well made I tend to respect the makers intention. I prefer to maintain the tool instead of modifying it.JR

Sure

Frank D. in Montreal

>The best example I can think of are the little nibs next to the bed on my LN 62 that severely limit lateral blade movement. i thought about them for about twenty minutes then I just grinded them right off. No regrets there. I flattened off the round handles on my Pfeil chisels to make them more squarish... I also like making tools from scratch, incorporating everything I like best about one design or another. One thing I have noticed though, most high-quality tools usually don't need much or any modification because they are well-designed to begin with. I wouldn't regrind the side bevels on a $100 Japanese chisel; I'd buy an appropriate one for the work I want to do or modify a cheapy...

Take the plunge!

Bob Hackett(Mainely,Bob)

>Drawing and tempering are not really all that hard to master(hey,if I can do it it can`t be all that hard).Once you are led thru it you`ll wonder why you thought it was a big deal.

The times I do it most are when I get an edge that folds but the steel seems otherwise OK or after reforging a socket or other repair that has heated the tool and requires re-tempering.

Nothing wrong with just maintaining a well made tool but when I finally pull the trigger on a LV BU smoother I`ll more than likely follow Alf`s lead and put a larger and more conventional(Stanley like) tote on it.I`ll put the original in the box the plane came in and put them both up on the shelf for my grandkids though.;^)

Mainely,Bob

Re: Am I the only one who...

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Hi Bob,

I for one am not really into fettling. I used to be but it seemed like it was a hobby all on its own. I spent countless hours hunting for tools, lapping plane soles and "testing"

What it did was slow me down from actual projects. I have "upgraded" allot of my tools and now practice cutting dovetails along with flattening boards I will truly use for porjects rather then just making shavings.

I would someday like to build an infill and would like to try heat treating a blade but for now I need to show something for the nice tools I own.

It always amazes me how people on this forum can build a bowsaw or make their own A2 chisels and I am envious but right now in my life I have two small children and if I get shoptime I like to make it count towards a bookshelf for the kids or a little box for their keepsakes.

Cheers

Dan Clermont

Speaking of children

Bob Hackett(Mainely,Bob)

>One of the absolute best results of toolmaking is being able to make things like mallets,chisels and simple planes and saws to fit the smaller size needed by your children/grandchildren.I`ve won over children who were scared off or put off by my full sized tools by being able to provide something that could fit thier much smaller hands.

My youngest son is in the process of taking over my forge and carrying on the tradition.Hard to think of a more rewarding task than helping him set it up so he can show the younger nieces and nephews how it`s done.

Mainely,Bob

Question for Bob

Patrick Gibbons, Houston, TX

>Tell us more about your forge. I'm needing to get or build one and I'm interested in what others are doing.

Re: Am I the only one who...

Phil Albany,NY

>Amen Bob. I do the same thing with my chisels too.

Phil

Re: Am I the only one who...

Skip in Falls Church

>Hi Bob,

Let's see, I've turned a Record 05 into an A5 - reshaped saw handles from uncomfortable blocks of wood into comfortable handles ... wandered into making many of my own tools. I can only say that if a tool is uncomfortable or difficult to use and you can find a way to make it more comfortable or work better - do it without a second thought.

I'll never forget drilling a hole into the side of a perfectly good 05 and feeling guilt and trepidation - but the result (IMO) was great and made shooting easier and better. And a saw handle that raises a blister on your hand isn't terribly useful as it is - so fix it. IMO a useful tool is better than a tool in pristine shape. Eventually I'm sure I'll get into a bit of forging although I'm not sure what the neighbors will think. :)

Are there exceptions? I think so - if a tool is rare and/or highly collectible then I don't think I'd fool with it. But then again I don't think I'd use it either.

Skip

Re: Am I the only one who...

Matt in MO

>Bob,

I lack the experience to modify; you send me my first non-Marples chisels only a few months ago. And have made a world of difference in chisel use in my small shop.

As a novice starting out, I would highly recommend going with used socket chisels and opening up that whole new world.

As for modifications, maybe one day after I master these dovetails...

You guys know of a good place to find used chisels? I've started down that. . .

By the way, another thanks to all who generously send me chisels, planes. I've been fettling... and I have made my contribution to the WC.

Matt

me too

Gary in Central NY

>Bob,

I too would like to know more about forging in general...I have bought the supplies for a small bladesmith style charcoal forge. What kind of charcoal do I need to make it work? where can I buy it? my only two options at the moment (limited funds) are a cheap anvil from harbor freight (which the guys on anvil fire deplored) or attempting to make my own out of some train rail I can scrounge up. Which is a better choice? I only plan on making tools, the only use for the horn I can come up with (at the moment) is making holdfasts. Thanks for the info...

Gary

Re: Am I the only one who...

Dave Thompson

>Let's see, I've turned a Record 05 into an A5...

Ok, Skip, you got me curious. What's the story here? Are you talking a Stanley A5 or a Norris A5. I can imagine starting with a Record 05 to get a Stanley A5 but not why. I can't imagine going from a Record 05 to a Norris A5....

oh wait, you meant a Record T5... didn't you?

Dave Thompson

>

You're Right!!!!

Skip in Falls Church

>*THAT'S* what I meant!!!! Sorry about that!!!!!

Skip

Re: Question for Bob

Bob Hackett(Mainely,Bob)

>My forge was bought from a farm sale.I modified it so that I could pass a long length of steel thru it and added a support for my tongs that folds down when not in use.It originally had a blower with an electric motor which I traded for a hand cranked model.

For those determined to use a coal(or charcoal)fired forge I`d look for a farrier`s forge because they`re smaller and can be moved around easily.There are folks on the net who have put out in depth info on making your own forge using everything from old propane tanks to washtubs.I helped a friend build one using a brake drum as a base and it worked out real well.There`s a guy on Ebay who offers reasonably priced forging tools and you can get good anvils(even new ones) for reasonable prices if you look around there.DON`T buy a cast iron one.

If you find anvils are scarce in your neck of the woods or can`t deal with the freight bills from the `bay then go down to the nearest scrapyard and look around for structural steel offcuts or other scrap of large cross section to use as a substitute.

For fuel just get yourself some Kingsford (or equivalent) BBQ charcoal and go from there.The trick is not so much the fuel as controling the fire once it gets going.

If folks have any questions they think I can help them with then feel free to e-mail me directly.For research I`d hit the archives here first as we have had alot of in depth discussion in the past both at WC and BP.Those threads should be readily available in the archives for both.

Mainely,Bob

Good to hear from you Matt

Bob Hackett(Mainely,Bob)

>I was hoping you`d chime in here.

Glad you liked the chisels and planes.I`m sure I speak for us all when I say happy we could share.

As far as a good place to buy I`d say you`re off to a pretty good start right here so let us know what you need either here or in the looking for something message board to your right.I know if I have a spare something that you`re needing I would be happy to make the same deal as before,I send it to you and you send the cash to Ellis.

Mainely,Bob

PS-Ernie Miller supplied some of those chisels I sent so he deserves thanks too.

Thanks Ernie & ALL!

Matt in MO

>Ernie,

Didn't know you were involved in the deal, but a belated thank you. And to all those others who pitched in, a heartfelt thanks.

Matt

p.s. We're expecting, and pretty excited.

Congrats Matt

Bob Hackett(Mainely,Bob)

>Better save room in the shop for a smaller bench.

MB