Replies

1. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 17, 2007 11:47pm | #1

   I have a set of Greenlee butt chisels that I bought as new old stock.  The original bevels were all set at skew by the same few degrees that you describe, but it is my personal opinion that they should be straight, not skewed.  If you want a skew chisel, get a skew chisel. 

   I have a tormek for grinding new bevels, so I just reground them, and they are all 90° now.  If I were you, since you bought it new, you may want to send it back.  However, there is no guarantee that the next one they send won't be just as bad.  If you are able, and you like the quality of the chisel, just regrind it.  Keep it cool, though.  You don't want to mess up the temper.  I'm sure you knew that! <g>

   Jeff

    

2. 
   mwenz | Mar 18, 2007 12:05am | #2

   I personally just regrind or hone new chisels the way I want them.

   Just to be clear, what chisel is this? The terms "butt chisel" and "mortise chisel" are pretty much mutually exclusive.

   Is the the Crown Butt Chisel?

   If so, even with its short length it will fit into the LV MK.II honing jig.

   Take care, Mike

1. 
   InMyOpinion | Mar 18, 2007 12:54am | #3

   Mike,Your comments and Jeff's have been spot on. Thank you.I've enjoyed reading about Greenlee, and had planned to start with the MKII. So, I feel informed, comfortable and good to go.It is the Crown butt chisel. I like the weight, length, and steel. But, I resent having to square it and the fact that there's glue visible at the handle base. It's disappointing to receive a tool of this sort that does not have the pristine quality of my Veritas hand tools.My experience with GW has been poor. Its site stated that the items never shipped, and the two people I spoke with are yahoos. GW provides a nice catalog, but I'm not in the market for a catalog, you know?I appreciate your focus on terms. I'll be mortising in hinges with this butt chisel, and can appreciate, now, how a true mortise chisel is perfect for joinery.Incidentally, I've noted that the edge is parallel to the handle base. It seems there's room for manufacturing (technique) improvement.Cheers! IMO, jim

   Edited 3/17/2007 6:05 pm ET by InMyOpinion

1. 
   mwenz | Mar 18, 2007 01:29am | #4

   Hi Jim,

   I also have some Crown butt chisels I use for letting in hinges. I also like the short little buggers. Fit the palm nicely. Mine I bought many years ago and so there may not be a correlation to the latter ones.

   When I need to level or pare down the length of the hinge mortise, I use the bevel down, which introduces clearance.

   fwiw, the link goes to a web page with the first few pictures being of one of the Crown butt chisels in a MK.II.

   http://wenzloffandsons.com/temp/sml_blade_honing/index.html

   Take care, Mike

2. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 19, 2007 05:45am | #5

   Jim

   I share your opinion about Garret Wade customer service.  I bought a few items from them a few years ago, and the experience was less than acceptable to me.  When the catalog shows up now, I just chuck it in the recycling bin.  Never again will any of my money darken their doorstep!

   Good luck with your chisel.  Once you get it tuned, I'm sure it'll be fine.

   Jeff