I recently received a set of moderately priced (blue handled) bench chisels. I have a pretty good setup for sharpening that includes a variety of diamond and natural waterstones along with a honing guide (no grinder). My problem is that 2 of the chisels have noticeable bellies. I have lapped my brains out but can’t get the backs flat. Should I use these chisels to open paint cans or are there suggestions for getting these into working order?
I had the same problem with an iron from a block plane but solved that with a back bevel.
Replies
Try turning your belt sander upside down and getting rid of the bellies that way. It's hard to get rid of the belly freehand because you can't help shifting pressure from side to side, which just makes the belly worse.
Here's a good web site primer on sharpening.
http://www.antiquetools.com/sharp/index.html
Dan
CJ -
I purchased a set of Marples bench chisels recently and found that one was missground at the factory - one edge was noticeable thinner than the other. Would have taken hours to get the back honed and would have changed the geometry of the blade. Sent it back (to Woodcraft) and received a replacement promptly with no questions asked. If they're as bad as it would appear from your post, see if you can get them replaced.
From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
Dennis
I use sandpaper glued to float glass. 80 Grit would knock the back flat in no time.
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Blue handled polyprop chisels are often the same ones made by Sheffield in England, though the quality is not the legendary Sheffield steel of old.
Could be your stone is not flat. Or as suggested, try a mounted belt sander. A belly running lengthwise shouldn't matter as long as the back of the cutting edge is flat.
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