Replies

1. 
   Cirept | Dec 31, 2005 08:42pm | #1

   I also have the LN chisels and in low humidity the handles will unseat themselves.  I turn the handle in the socket until I find a spot that is tighter and drive it home.  There are some settings when turning the handle that bottom out in the socket and won't seat at all.  I also have an old set of socket chisels that were my grandfather's and they do the same thing.  I guess it's a trade off, winter is good for planes but bad for socket chisels and vice versa in the summer.

   Eric

2. 
   kwadams | Jan 01, 2006 03:54am | #2

   Yeah, dry New England winters and mine have done the same thing.  The 1" did a dive straight down to the floor...after hitting a metal scraper on the shelf below it!  I decided to take the safe route and have now removed them from their rack and placed them back in the safe little leather "home" that they came in.  It's a bit of a pain to have to bring them out all the time, but it beats having to regrind all the time. 

   Kevin

1. 
   beretta | Jan 01, 2006 05:11am | #3

   Thanks for the input.  I guess I wonder what the Japanese do to keep their handles tight in the socket.  Might they be epoxied into the socket?  I have a number of them and they have never come loose.

   Rusty

3. 
   sailalex | Jan 01, 2006 04:56pm | #4

   I am surprised with L-N's response. For a top quality manufacturer that has a tremendous reputation, I would think they would want to "make it right". After you pay what you did, I wouldn't expect the handles to fall off; give me a break. I am a big L-N fan having purchased several planes but something "went in the ditch" when they did the chisels. 

4. 
   lwilliams | Jan 02, 2006 12:55am | #5

   Rusty,

   Japanese chisels have a tang and socket. Until you come up with a way to eliminate seasonal wood movement, standard socket chisels will do exactly what you're experiencing. Check the handles when you pick them up just as woodworkers have done since socket handles were developed. My old chisels and my single Lie-Nielsen are prone to the same thing. Some handles seem to stay better than others but they all need to be checked the first time they're used each day. I don't see much that Lie-Nielsen can do here except quit offering traditional socket chisels and I sure hope they don't do that.

1. 
   kwadams | Jan 02, 2006 02:19am | #7

   Larry is right on here and you certainly don't want to glue them in the event you need to replace a handle one day down the road.  Just store them in their leather tool roll and check them before use, especially in dry weather.  They are my favorite chisels and work great!

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 02, 2006 03:08am | #8

   Another way to keep the handles on is to maintain a slightly higher relative humidity when using them.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Jan 02, 2006 03:40am | #9

   What good does it do to check them?  Is there a response conditioning to my check?

1. 
   lwilliams | Jan 02, 2006 06:03am | #10

   If they're loose, it's simple to fix them. Just press them in while giving them a slight turn and, when you feel them seat, turn them handle down and tap the end of the handle on the bench on the bench.

5. 
   Gene_DiNardo | Jan 02, 2006 01:16am | #6

   Try taking a piece of 60 grit sand paper, squeeze it around the tapered

   part of the handle and give the handle 2-3 turns.

   ONLY 2-3 turns !!

   This will create horizontal rings around the taper.

   I have found they hold a bit better in all but the most drastic humidity swings.

    Gene D

6. 
   shopteacher | Jan 03, 2006 03:57am | #11

   I have both their bench and mortise chisels.  Socket chisels are socket chisels.  To seat the handle, I hold it by the handle and give the heel a sharp wrap on the bench.  Its the same concept as putting a handle on an ax or hammer, let the inertia of the steel force itself onto the handle.  I've had the bench chisels for over a year and the mortise chisels for a couple of months and I couldn't give them higher marks.

7. 
   Handrubbed | Jan 03, 2006 09:26pm | #12

   I see the easy removal of the L-N chisel handles as a real plus.  I purchased the optional long handles and find them great for paring cuts.  When I'm done, I simply rap the handle on my bench (protected by a layer of rubber router mat) and the handle comes free; to be replaced by the stock short handle.  I might even make some handles, since I am a novice turner and could use the practice.  L-N recommends this procedure in their instructions that come with the chisels.  I would not recommend using any tool rack where the chisels are subject to gravity, such as a pegboard holder.  The steel will end up on the (concrete?) floor.  Use a tool roll.