Dissapointment from Ashley Iles

[ColeyS1]

The same thing happened to me. They weren't rude but it was disappointing all the same. I ended up getting a Narex 2" chisel which is ok but would much prefer such a beast to be in "butt form". I have a 1" Narex butt chisel and it's excellent.

They sell 2 inch butt chisels, was it just their tone that put you off ?

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[ColeyS1]

Interesting discussion. Highly unlikely that they could have made you a one off at a price you'd want to pay, but it would have been better all round if the person on the phone had explained that.
As Inspector said, for forging, the expense would be in the dies, and nobody makes an ordinary chisel wider than 2".
I've looked back at 19th and 20th century catalogues and can confirm that that's always been so, except for timber framing or shipbuilding, but they are really a different tool.

However, briefly, there used to be an exception. How do you like these from the 1928 Marples Catalogue?



No puny 2½" size here - how hard would you need to push to use a chisel 9" wide?

The answer (somewhat disappointingly) is that (as far as I can deduce) these were for cutting leather, not wood. Specifically, they were for cutting accurate bevels in thick leather which was stuck on rollers, used in cotton spinning mills. There used to be a specialist trade in maintaining the thousands of rollers. You can read a little bit more about it here:

http://www.taths.org.uk/queries/170-the ... r-s-chisel

Now that is a selection !!! Thank you for having a look and sharing.

"Sash pocket chisel" gives the most promising results at the moment. I think it would need modifying a bit to make it a little easier on the eye.

I'd enjoy using an ashley iles one, that one I probably wouldn't bother.

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[El Barto]

The same thing happened to me. They weren't rude but it was disappointing all the same. I ended up getting a Narex 2" chisel which is ok but would much prefer such a beast to be in "butt form". I have a 1" Narex butt chisel and it's excellent.

They sell 2 inch butt chisels, was it just their tone that put you off ?

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No not at all. They didn't have any in stock despite the website saying otherwise (it still does and I imagine they still don't). Sorry, should have been more clear.

 

[Bm101]

Wowsers Chris, that's quite a wip !! Nice one. I really don't need any more hobbies/projects though lol. What made you decide to try making your own ? Curiosity?
Cheers
Coley

That's actually an iron for a bullnose plane I'm (very slowly) working on/trying not to mess up mate.
I'm no expert but you don't need to worry about over heating the steel on a grinder etc, before its been heat treated to harden it, you then temper it which makes it less brittle. It's all to do with how you heat and cool the metal. And witchcraft probably. It's quite fascinating stuff. And burney. Who doesn't like burney? 8)
Only tools I really use for shaping are files and a little clarke belt sander. Pre-hardening the steel is really quite soft comparatively.

 

[ColeyS1]

Who doesn't like burney? 8)

It's alright when you expect it I suppose A while ago I rescued a fireside chair from the tip. It's oak with carved lion heads on the arms and I thought it was worthy of a restoration. I had a few quotes ranging from 6- £800, I just couldn't warrant spending that much on it. I decided it would be a good project for me to attempt myself. The two front legs had brass inset castors that had worked loose. By this point I had decided I would bodge it myself but hopefully make it look acceptable. I had the bright idea to fill the worn knackered hole with resin- it'd be self levelling and give me something to work to. I filled up about 6mm deep with resin then decided I don't even need castors, I'll fill the rest of it with resin as well, so on Friday that's what I did. I returned to my bench and carried on with the job in hand. I've got the front workshop doors open so glanced up only to find smoke coming from the chair legs lol !!!

There was lots of Frank Spencer quotes and 'don't panic, don't fkin panic' before taking the airline over to them and cooling them down. I dread to think what would have happened if I had done the resin just before leaving for the day! I've only had that thermometer for a while buts it's proved so useful.

Back to the chisel situation, I really haven't got the skill to make anything like Ashley iles quality



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[Tasky]

"Do it... do it... do it!!"

 

[Bm101]

Stop it Tasky! I'm feeling bad now. Clearly when a man has Tommy Cooper to light up his life (love it btw ) he clearly has enough side projects on the go lol.
That Jack Russel... I never even knew dogs could look up. Keep it indoors when it's raining or he'll drown. :|

Never meant to exert any pressure Coley. Each to their own of course.
Funny enough I don't think its a altogether a bad idea although I AM a window cleaner so I don't have a clue.
If I had to fit enough doors for my day job and I could scribe the hinges then remove the waste in one/ maybe two strokes I'd be happy with that. Never sell commercially but it makes you wonder. If someone knocked one up to try it...
(hammer)
Hmmm...

 

[Tasky]

I AM a window cleaner so I don't have a clue.

 

[SMALMALEKI]

I've often thought a larger butt chisel would come in handy- 2.5" perhaps. I rang the number to see if they'd consider making a one off special and was met with "we're too busy at the moment" I've thought about it for years- I think it'd be particularly useful for paring moulds and using for hinges. I said well I don't mind going on a waiting list for 1-2 years and was surprised when she abruptly replied "no, that's not going to happen" I explained I've got over 20 of their chisels and it would have been nice if the larger one matched "um...no" was the response. How miserable !!!!
Oh well at least their so busy they don't have to worry about looking after their existing customers lol.

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Hi there

I am coming too late to this thread and apologies if I am repeating it.
I visited Ashley Iles Edge Tools recently.
They make every single chisel by hand but it is different from hot forging. In fact they have some very heavy machines to build each single size and shape of chisel.
Making a one off chisel will require new press hammers and cast. It will end up too expensive.

 

[Jacob]

Just to repeat what I said a year ago - I've got a 2 1/2" Marples firmer chisel (random ebay purchase) and it's totally ****ing useless. Must have been made for a special purpose (see Roller Coverer's Chisel post earlier). For ordinary purposes (hinge pockets etc) you'd need a 1/2 cwt. mallet!

 

[Benchwayze]

I have enough chisels; 90% of mine are 1940s and earlier Marples. I am happy with them for their edge taking and edge keeping properties. Oh the joy of smooth, even paring in hard or soft wood!

I have bought some Japanese chisels (Just a four-set) but as that was just before I went into the 'Krankenhause', I have yet to try them.

John (hammer)

 

[SMALMALEKI]

Would you like me to take test them for you and report back? :ho2 (hammer)