Harrogate Show

[clive griffiths]

The guy told a sorry tale of how he was shafted by trend and another partner. It's really for touch ups rather than regrind and as such isn't something I'd use tending to trash my chisels as long as possible then tormek them.
Where do your sharpening problems seem to lie spectric? Scary sharp and the trend seem like short term things to me.(as does the veritas honing jig) quality diamond stones are very effective becoming slower over time. I've got dmt 2 side ones the first from America when it was over $2 to the £. After this got slow I brought a used but brand new one bundled with a no 3. If all I sharpened were chisels I'd probably get translucent arkansas or even lilly white washita.

I was up at Alexander Palace some years ago talking to Jim Kingshott , he was giving a demo on sharpening on his japanese stones, they were well worn no jig used and razor sharp!

 

[Hornbeam]

I went on Friday. I thought there were slightly less exhibitors and notably no large power tool stand (Alan Wadkins) Woodfast stand was a good alternative to Felder/Hammer. The spokeshaves from Melbourne Tools at Wood Workers Workshop (not workshop heaven) were fantastic and not too pricey but didnt buy as I prefer the hock wooden versions. Still a good day out and will probably go again next year

 

[Peter Sefton]

I went on Friday. I thought there were slightly less exhibitors and notably no large power tool stand (Alan Watkins) Woodfast stand was a good alternative to Felder/Hammer. The spokeshaves from Melbourne Tools at Workshop heaven were fantastic and not too pricey but didnt buy as I prefer the hock wooden versions. Still a good day out and will probably go again next year

Thanks for taking a look at the Melbourne Tool Company kit, just a little typo, we are Wood Workers Workshop

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/melbourne-tool-company/

Cheers

Peter

 

[johnnyb]

Are these a Chinese brand?

 

[johnnyb]

I ask because the water hardened steel from quangsheng is superb(w2)
And m2 has rarely been used for woodwork blades as far as I recall.

 

[Spectric]

Where do your sharpening problems seem to lie spectric?

They seem to cut worse after I sharpen them, the best I have had is with the scary sharp .

 

[johnnyb]

What blades need to be sharpened? Chisels etc or planes?

 

[Peter Sefton]

I ask because the water hardened steel from quangsheng is superb(w2)
And m2 has rarely been used for woodwork blades as far as I recall.

The Verum blades are the same as Quangsheng T10 steel which is water quenched, very similar to old W1 or maybe W2. You are right its easy to sharpen, gets a very keen edge and holds a reasonable amount of time.

The Melbourne Tool Company blades are specified to deal with the Australian abrasive timbers. The M2 HSS (High Speed Steel) has high abrasion resistance which means it will hold a sharp edge much longer than many other steels. This also means that it may take a little longer to bring up an edge, very similar to A2 steel, but holds the edge longer than O1 steel.

Cheers

Peter

 

[jb94]

Yes I have the Trend version, well an early model but it failed to perform so went to the so called Scary Sharp system which also has not worked for me so maybe next will be a pair of diamond stones and one of those Veritas honing guides.

Agree with you on the trend system, i got one years ago and it seemed like such a good idea but it would take forever and the mechanism seemed to have play in it. I got better results freehand than with that jig.

 

[JoeS]

Is there any equivelent of this down in the south? Would have loved to go - but too far for me....

[edit] a quick google suggests there were a couple that ran in 2024! Next year!

 

[rocore]

Are these a Chinese brand?

Yes, They are made in China, but it doesnt matter where things are made as long as they are made correctly. I've seen UK made products that are awful and superb Chinese products.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Is there any equivelent of this down in the south? Would have loved to go - but too far for me....

[edit] a quick google suggests there were a couple that ran in 2024! Next year!

Joe, a good way to pick up on these is to subscribe to the Classic Hand Tools newsletter. They normally mention them well in advance.

You have just missed out on one that was held at the Design University out by City Airport.

 

[johnnyb]

It matters if the company name is "the Melbourne tool company" besides that the quangsheng irons are superb.

 

[Peter Sefton]

The Melbourne Tool Company team are from Melbourne Australia, they visited me just before the first lockdown to discuss their concept and to find like minded woodworkers who would work with them on the new tools. I am very pleased to have been involved from the beginning and being able to offer customers another affordable quality selection of hand tools, This range will grow and be sourced from the best manufacturers who can provide quality at an achievable price.

https://melbournetool.com/the-story/

I have worked on new products with Clifton and other manufacturers but these are not in everyones budget so like to leave the customers to choose.

Brand names do not necessarily dictate where products are produced, Wealden Tool Company, Axminster, Milwaukee, British Gas or Airways, more about their base or beginnings.

Cheers

Peter

 

[johnnyb]

I still don't know where these are made for certain? If there chinese that's fine. If there from Taiwan that's good as well.

 

[Doug B]

I still don't know where these are made for certain? If there chinese that's fine. If there from Taiwan that's good as well.

A quick google suggests China https://www.woodreview.com.au/tools-and-equipment/tested-melbourne-tool-company-handplanes

 

[Peter Sefton]

I still don't know where these are made for certain? If there chinese that's fine. If there from Taiwan that's good as well.

Nor do I, my delivery came from Oz but I think the casting are from Taiwan, the main machining is done in China and the Maple from Japan, I tend to say Asia to cover all bases.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Peter Sefton]

A quick google suggests China https://www.woodreview.com.au/tools-and-equipment/tested-melbourne-tool-company-handplanes

I think the review is a bit out of date as the planes in review are a hybrid of my second prototype sample and the finished product. You will notice the finger dimples are smaller on the prototype and the rear adjuster is different from my prototype. The fit, engineering and grey paint finish in the current model is much better than the prototypes.

This review is also of the final version. https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/content/WWC089 - Melbourne Tool Company planes review.pdf

Cheers

Peter

 

[johnnyb]

There pretty as far as planes go. I am after a block plane but I'm after a nice vintage one that allows a decent cut my lie nielsen is far to fine. And with a nice carbon iron. Not low angle as find them awkward to hold.

 

[johnnyb]

It's interesting they've avoided bench planes only making low angle bu planes. I'm guessing m2 may struggle when the angles to acute(a2 certainly does) but I've no idea tbh. Chinese used to braze hss onto chisels all the time it looked rough but was very effective.