Replies

1. 
   gdblake | Apr 25, 2010 11:52pm | #1

   Nice write up of making chisel and turning socket chisel handles

   Thanks Derek:

   Once again a nicely done article.  Very clever way to regrind the bevels on any brand of chisel to give them side clearance for use making dovetails.  Your turned handles are nice.  I have both a set of LN and Stanley 750s.  I have never felt the need to replace their handles, I like the shape of the originals.  However I have a no name set of socket chisels with better steel than the Stanleys that are begging for new handles.  I guess I need to break down and make use of my new old Jet 1236 lathe (an estate sale purchase 6 mos. ago) and turn some handles for these chisels before giving them to my oldest son. 

   gdblake

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Apr 26, 2010 01:18am | #2

   Well Done

   Nice work, Derek.  I ground down the edges of a pair of butt chisels (1/4" & 3/8") for dovetail work freehand, using my Ridgid oscillating belt sander (attached).  I think I did a pretty decent job.  Not nearly as pretty as yours, but certainly serviceable.

   Shellawax is one of my favourite finishes too.  I use it on more than just lathe work.

   
3. 
   9619 | Apr 26, 2010 08:04am | #3

   Derek,

   VERY nice work, as always.  If I were Rob Lee or Tom Lie Nielsen, I would be extremely concerned that an Australian firm would soon raise up and take over the their businesses.  :-)

   I haven't made any dovetail chisels since I have the Lie Nielsen chisels and they do the job well.   I try every new set of chisels I can find,  (just for the fun of it),   and I haven't found any other chisels which feel as good and easy to use as the Lie Nielsens.  Of course, I haven't tried yours.  

   A few weeks ago, I did feel the excruciating NEED  (not just a desire) to make a single chisel for getting into both sides (corners) of half blind dovetail sockets.  I had seen Cosman's hand made chisel, and the beauties from Lie Nielsen (at almost a hundred dollars apiece).   So I used my discount at Woodcraft to buy a 1/2 single bevel Pfeil carving chisel, and I merely made a Fishtail ouut of it, which has a "sufficient" dovetail.     I flattened the back, and put a nice edge on it.  

   I only went to 8000 grit on the edge, and I didn't make the fishtail as pretty as the Lie Nielsens, but it works like a charm.  Previously I had used a couple of skew chisels, which worked well, but reducing the number of tools involved in an operation is a good thing.   

   Watching you make/modify tools has given me the impetus to to some tool modification when necessary..   I gotta admit though,  yours are much more beautiful than mine.

    I noticed that your tool reviews and posts have been getting far fewer responses than they used to.   Don't take it personally.   It is Taunton's fault, not yours.   If Taunton make their new website as beautiful and useful as your tools (as it used to be),  you'd still be getting a lot of responses.   I still can't figure where you get the time to do woodwork, make tools, have a life and continue with your profession.    The days must be longer on the bottom of the world.  :-)    Keep up the great work.    You are a great role model.   Of course, I used to think that Tiger Woods was a great role model.     Remember that woodworkers have to hold themselves to higher standards than golfers.      Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

   Enjoy,

   Mel

4. 
   Eef | Apr 27, 2010 12:39pm | #4

   derek,

   good pictures, text and content.  thank you.

   when i bought the blue spruce chisels they came standard with coco-bolo handles.  don't care much for rainforest woods so dave, (owner of the company...) made quilted maple handles.  the chisels perform very nicely.  one odd complaint i have is the tapered or beveled edges are quite sharp and gave me a nasty cut during normal use.  i have since stoned each edge to dull it.

   eef

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Apr 27, 2010 09:44pm | #5

   Eef,

   Sharp side edges are not uncommon.  I've seen that on many chisels, especially better Japanese ones.  Also, any lapped blades tend to get quite sharp at all edges.

1. 
   Eef | Apr 28, 2010 10:53am | #6

   good morning chris,

   getting cut by the edge of that chisel came as a shock.  it sounds kind of stupid that i'd let this happen, i know, but i really did not see it coming.  i never checked for sharpness there, did not think to.  i spent a bit of time thinking that this feature was perhaps a defect in the making of the chisels.  i  actually put them away for a while wondering was it me or them...

   i've since accepted the matter, dulled the edges and  moved on to better dovetailing days.

   eef

5. 
   wanda2010 | Apr 28, 2010 04:25pm | #7

   Grinding a dovetail chisel blade

   Hi Derek,

   Just finished reading your article on Grinding a Dovetail chisel blade.

   Is the LV small tool holder essential? I have the LV Grinding Jig plus a Veritas Grinder Tool rest. Am I good to go.

   One other ?  You grind one side and then the other but at what angle? What do I set the grinding angle at???

   PS.. I really enjoy reading your articles on tool making. Wow

   wanda 

1. 
   derekcohen | Apr 29, 2010 01:58am | #9

   Is the LV small tool holder essential? I have the LV Grinding Jig plus a Veritas Grinder Tool rest. Am I good to go.

   One other ?  You grind one side and then the other but at what angle? What do I set the grinding angle at???

   Hi Wanda

   First off, the small tool holder is not essential, but you do need a holder than uses magnets since there is no better way to clamp thin steel bars/chiselssecurely. The Veritas grinder jig sits too far back (I know - this formed part of my original jig a couple of years ago). As I mentioned in the article, just recess a couple of rare earth magnets into hardwood/MDF/ply (the more the better).

   Secondly, the grind angle for the sides is not critical - the angle must just clear the sidewall of the pins. 10 degrees is sufficient. Now if you set up the jig square to the wheel, you should be able to reverse the blade to grind each way at the same angle.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

6. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 28, 2010 09:00pm | #8

   As usual... Another great posting.

   So when are you going to hire an apprentice to carry on your work?