STL 172: You’re using your chisels wrong
Mike, John, and Ben discuss chisel technique, working in multiple shop spaces, favorite techniques, and finally answer a question about spoon carvingQuestion 1:
From Larry:
After treating myself to a new set of bench chisels, I flattened and polished the backs and honed them to a sharp edge. Now I have a nice set of chisels, that hold an edge better than the ones I’ve used for the last 20 years, and I have doubled my upper body strength from the effort. Do you do anything to the bottom edges of the chisel to soften them as you may after flattening a hand plane? I know I want a sharp side edge at the tip, but I’m thinking about using a stone to soften the bottom edge, starting an inch or more back from the tip just to make them more comfortable in the hand. Is this a bad idea? I should be so lucky as to live long enough to hone the tip back an inch where this would be a problem.
Question 2:
From Cameron:
I live in the northeastern US with hot humid summers and sub-freezing winters. My shop is setup in an uninsulated garage. I’m thinking of setting up a secondary workbench in my basement for hand tool work when the temperatures are on the extreme ends of the scale. What risks are there with sudden temperature and humidity changes? For example, if I where to bring parts inside to cut dovetails, should I store them back in the garage when I’m done?
Segment: All Time Favorite Technique
John: Using a sanding drum in a handheld drill to shape a contour
Ben: Keeping safe by taking advantage of the paddle switch on a tablesaw
Mike: Use an existing project as a source of critical dimensions
- Arts & Crafts Bed by Kevin Rodel #260–Mar/Apr 2017 Issue
- Contemporary Arts and Crafts Bed by Michael Cullen #268–May/June 2018 Issue
Question 3:
From Matt:
I would like to get into spoon carving. Do you have any recommendations on where to source wood?
Question 4:
From Ron:
I have heard talk about the problem of tablesaw blade deflection when trimming a little off the side of a workpiece. I have also been counseled to “sneak up” on a fit. In my mind these two considerations are diametrically opposed. Is deflection a problem encountered when “sneaking up” on a fit? If not when is deflection a problem?
Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [email protected] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.
Comments
Another great Podcast! So, funny story....I had sharpened my Japanese chisels yesterday before I started dovetailing the bottom and sides of my new Mike P tool chest. And today, I have a finger on my left hand that looks like I survived an attack by a mouse sized Samurai. I never even noticed that I was getting cut until the blood stained the mahogany. I don't recall anyone clarifying on the Podcast exactly how I am supposed to hold the chisels. Mike said that if this happens, we are holding it wrong, but did he say how we are supposed to hold them while chopping dovetail waste? I tried searching the Google with no luck. Please help, lol.
Come on folks, you can't expect Mike to keep carrying the show. It needs some energy.
Think of your favourite morning radio show with three people who get along, play off each other. Mike and Anissa have some chemistry, otherwise its lacking.
The content needs a bit of effort too. FToATfTW "blue tape" was a masterpiece - the on/off switch for a table saw - not so much so. We do expect the content to be insightful.
Ben should be keeping the pace up and getting folks to move on if things are getting bogged down, but more often he's the one going too far down the rabbit hole and Mike has to step in and yank him back.
If you are going to go off topic it has to be funny and entertaining.
Are you are all stressed and overworked by the "suits" at Taunton? Maybe you need a break to regroup? Unfortunately its hard to do in the world of publishing - print or podcast. Maybe some more guest editor conversations would take the creative pressure off a bit.
Hope you figure it out.
After using a contractor style saw I for many years, I bought a new cabinet saw. It has the on/off switch where I can turn it off with my leg. I had to change the way I stand when sawing because I kept hitting it in the middle of a cut. Something to keep in mind.
I am the Larry in this episode...
Turns out, no, I’m not using my chisels wrong.
After flattening the backs of my Stanley 750s, the egdes of the chisels were very sharp. So sharp that when only holding them by the face when chiseling dovetails they would cut my fingers. After this video was published, I attended a lie Nielsen tool event. The first thing I did there was pick up a 750 chisel. These are beautiful tools, and the edges were soft with very slightly radiused edges. I went home and used a fine diamond plate to just touch that edge and I no longer have trouble getting cut. If I had it to do again, I would have started with the Lie Nielsen, even if that meant buying a few at a time.
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