Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 01, 2007 04:53pm | #1

   I haven't been impressed by the inexpensive hollow chisel sets made in Asia that you will find in most catalogs.  I buy hollow chisel bits for the Fine Woodworking shop from W. L. Fuller Inc. in Rhode Island.  The last time I ordered from them they supplied American made bits that worked well.  They can be reached at http://www.wlfuller.com. 

   John White

1. 
   forestgirl | May 08, 2007 05:04pm | #2

   John, a few of us have purchased the Steel City mortiser and are hoping they (or someone) will offer "honing cones" that match their angle.  While we're waiting, can you offer a description of how we might touch up the chisels??forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   JohnWW | May 08, 2007 06:15pm | #3

   Hi Again Forest Girl,

   I'd skip the cones, they're like 99% of the gadgets being sold to woodworkers, a complicated solution to a simple problem.

   A small file with a slightly rounded face will easily sharpen the inside edges of a hollow chisel, the steel is typically quite soft.  A simple half round needle file will do the job, the finer the teeth the better. 

   If you want to be fancy, get a file pattern known as a crossing file which has two partially round faces each of a different radius. MSC has one made by Grobet, 6" long #4 cut (MSC #60233947, $10.00) that will do the job perfectly.  While you're  ordering from MSC you can also order an auger bit file to sharpen the spurs on the chisel's drill bit.

   If you take a few light passes on all four inside edges with the file, and then take off the burred edge on the outside of the chisel with a fine stone, you'll get a sharp edge in just a couple of minutes.  If you feel compelled to further polish the inside faces, a fine abrasive paper wrapped around a dowel can be used.

   John W.  

   Edited 5/9/2007 11:07 am ET by JohnWW