Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
More chisel tricks
This video from Stumpy popped up in my YouTube feed. He is basically suggesting that a few chisels & gouges sharpened as though for use in metal scraping are useful additions to the tool kit. I can think of a time or two when I have indeed used my own metal scrapers in such a fashion.
Re: More chisel trick
Re: More chisel tricks
I first saw this technique in a plane-making video by Bill Carter, about 20 years ago. I know that many have used it and spoken about it on fori since. I have used it, as has David W, on plane beds.
Still, a good method to have up one's sleeve.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Re: More chisel tricks
Could you just use a turner's scraper in this manner ??
Re: More chisel tricks
Probably, just give it a try. You might get good results without having to change the geometry.
Re: More chisel tricks
Leo.....You're right.....the best way to know if something will work is to try it and see.....I like that you posted this video.....it's unusual and it's hand tools.
Re: More chisel tricks
Roger, the thought of using turning scrapers shows some serious outside the box thinking as to what is usable for purposes other than the intended design. Here are some other metal scraping tools that I have used in wood working, primarily used as grounding tools when I used to carve.
T
These are a set from Grizzly, still available last I checked.
This set of antique scrapers have come in handy as well.
In a drawer somewhere are several old babbit bearing scrapers that have different radii on the curves that were also used at one time or another. I would image lots of other items could be pressed into service as well.
Re: More chisel tricks
It is very curious why I had never seen that specific technique (or variation on a theme) before, or even figured it out for myself. I use card scrapers and scraper turning tools all the time. I've sharpened files for scraping metal. I have floats for scraping plane bodies, with lots of scraper edges. I even have a selection of power carving gouge heads collecting dust in a scrap drawer that I could easily put handles on and sharpen for scraping, if I had thought of it. And I've wasted more than enough time trying to think of a use for them.
I wonder if the chisels and gouges would make even better scrapers if you burnished a hook on them. If they weren't too hard for your burnisher, i suspect so. The burnishers I make and useare tungsten carbide, but many are made of softer steels.
I've had serious woodworkers smirk when "Stumpy's" name was mentioned, but I didn't understand that either, because I've always found his reviews, advise and building techniques useful and practical. And I've never seen him try to jam shavings down into the mouth of a plane.
Re: More chisel tricks
I agree that the serious James Hamilton does make an informative, concise video.....but, I miss the comedic Stumpy Nubs and the hilarious exchanges with Mustache Pete.
Re: More chisel tricks
One other use for this type of grind is cleaning up the occasional dried glue squeeze out in problematic areas. A burnished hook would make that much easier. I'll have to give that a go next time.
Some of Stumpy's video titles are a bit overdramatic and that may be where he runs into a bit of trouble.
Re: More chisel tricks
I've had serious woodworkers smirk when "Stumpy's" name was mentioned, but I didn't understand that either, because I've always found his reviews, advise and building techniques useful and practical.
Reviews fall into two lists. Unless your post/revelation directly benefits a product you peddle, I give the reveal opportunity for verification. But only if I could benefit.
It's bull-pucky or feasible.
I've not seen recent posts from Stumpy.
Re: More chisel tricks
And I found him after he changed his editorial policy. I probably would have enjoyed his old tongue-in-cheek approach, too. The problem with the Internet is that some people don't have a sense of humor; without a "/s" flag they can't separate the real woodworking from the sarcasm.
Re: More chisel tricks
It is very curious why I had never seen that specific technique (or variation on a theme) before, or even figured it out for myself.
William, you just don’t get out enough!:) One reason is that it is better known among plane makers and machinists.
I've had serious woodworkers smirk when "Stumpy's" name was mentioned, but I didn't understand that either, because I've always found his reviews, advise and building techniques useful and practical. And I've never seen him try to jam shavings down into the mouth of a plane.
Both “Stumpy”/James Hamilton and Paul Sellers (your shavings-down-the-mouth comment) have the common goal of viewership/income. The difference between them is that Paul Sellers is a known furniture maker, and that his tips and methods are supported by actual builds, plus they do not link to product kickbacks. Now, while I enjoy the entertainment of James’ videos, I struggle to feel any respect for him as a woodworker - I have never seen a piece of furniture he has built, and he comes without a history of woodworking. My impression (and I will apologise if wrong) is that his videos are created with the help of a team, who supply information, which he then imparts as his own. Can someone point me in the direction of his actual work? Lastly, he is both sponsored by the tool makers, and gets paid for those purchased in his links. As I said, I like his videos, but what sours them for me is that they appear scripted.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Re: More chisel tricks
I don't know if I smirk when someone mentions "Stumpy Nubs", but I found the video mentioned above to be rather pitiful. At about 1:10 he says "It takes almost constant stropping to maintain such an ultra keen edge." , and I thought this guy doesn't have much experience.
I looked forward to watch what he does with his scraping chisels, and he says he is working some "hard hickory". I never heard the term "hard hickory" before, but some hickory species are harder than others. However the wood he shows is not hickory at all, but rather white oak.
Stumpy tries to show the problems with using a sharp chisel to cut across the grain, but his chisel does not cut very well because the edge is in poor shape.
Re: More chisel tricks
As others mentioned, Bill Carter's video on YouTube is worth a watch.
How information gets out.....
This was an interesting thread for me.....I learned about a technique of which I had not previously been aware from a source known for his humor.....then, I was led to learn of a plane maker, Bill Carter, who was also new to me, and his large collection of plane making videos......and because I was looking at videos on the subject of using blunt chisels, YouTube reinforced my search with a Video from Tom Fidgen of the Unplugged Workshop in which he explored making and using a blunt chisel as this method was unknown to him.
Good subject, Leo.
Re: More chisel tricks
I have used this technique many times when adjusting the bed of Japanese kana; the only difference is that I simply ground a file instead of a chisel to do the job. It's more or less required for this job.
My little rant
Increasingly, I see more and more on YouTube posting videos of rehashed (and rehashed) techniques. It does not appear to matter that these have been posted many times before. It also does not include history of a technique and give recognition to those that came before, but presents an idea as if it was their original conception. And there are these HEADLINES that proclaim that the video contains EXCITING and NEW information!!! Everyone seems to want to make a buck from clicks.
Yesterday I came across a novel video in which the presenter said, " do not subscribe".
Regards from Perth
Derek
Re: My little rant
In the videos discussed here (Stumby, Sellers, Carter, & Fidgen), all presenters acknowledged that the blunt chisel trick was an old technique that was well known to plane makers; but, was probably unknown by the average woodworker.
We have all seen circumstances in which invention is assumed where only information is merited.
Re: My little rant
Roger, they did and a few others have the ethics to do so as well. But they are a minority in an ever-decreasing pool. What I am referring to is YouTube being drowned out by so many presenting the same old same old and tarting them up to be enticing. YouTube was a library of reasonable quality a few years back. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find anything of originality or worth.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Re: My little rant
Hi Derek,
Your comments are the very reasons why I don't waste my time on youtube. The articles are either rehash or false. My 2 cents.
Ron
Battery Life
For the good folks with ipads, googles and whatever those self illuminating chocolate bars are called:
How can you burn up Facebook, Reddit, YouTube energy 18 hours a day without a recharge? For that matter, how do you see what I see on a 13" x 13" window?
Re: More chisel tricks
Sure. The cutting edge is the same in both cases. In one case you are pushing wood fibers with the short face; in the other with the long face of the edge. When turning with a scraper, you are just pushing with the tool rest so you have a much greater mechanical advantage, instead of all the other cases where you are pushing directly with your hand against the tool handle. Of course, the cutting proceeds at a much higher speed when scraping a turning on the lathe.
A third case is the plane maker's float. It has a lot more edge so it works faster, but more important, it is a lot easier to end up with a flat surface when you are done. Also, due to the manufacturing methods, it has a smaller relief angle (usually about 60° as opposed to 90° to 100° for the scrapers).
Re: My little rant
Hi Derek
If you want a YouTube channel, take a look at this 😂
https://youtube.com/channel/UCrk6Q7PDFjoXWqCv7tkbFmg
Re: My little rant
As an aside, YouTube is primarily entertainment. For someone at your level I think you'll always find it disappointing.