High-Quality Bevels.

[wizer]

I can't understand why someone would pay 1100AUD (vesper) for a set of bevels when one at a tenner will do the same thing. It's not a criticism, I'm genuinely puzzled :?:

Two reasons. Firstly the way that the vespers lock is relatively unique in that it locks at the bottom of the stock. Most lock on one side of the stock at the top with either a knob or, worse, a screw. Locking with a knob at the bottom is the most convenient way to lock a bevel. It's an old (expired) patent that vesper is following and to my knowledge the only other new bevel you can buy with this feature is the Japanese Shinwa, as mentioned above. Or you can watch eBay until and old one comes up. The second reason is like any of these high quality shiny 'toys', they attract high prices because they are gorgeous. Some woodworkers like to have very pretty tools. Some even collect them with no intention of using them. That might sound confusing, but tis the way it tis.

 

[Froggy]

If I'm starting to understand the 'Slope' correctly....this is part of the 'Slope',right :?:

 

[wizer]

Indeed.

 

[wizer]

Also, you must understand that it's rare for people to wonder down the slope without a little push here and there. This forum is one such place where just a simple innocent...

can nudge someone down the slope when they least expected it.


DAMHIKT :lol:

 

[Froggy]

I think I must be on the slope myself, because at the moment I can't stop buying tools that I can't afford. And pictures like that don't help :roll: You're a bad man :twisted:

 

[wizer]

sorry

 

[Jake]

Big fat meh. It's a bevel with some curlicues (and not even very elegant ones).

 

[mr grimsdale]

It's the old Marples with a lever which has the most intelligently designed locking device. The lever lies flat within the thickness of the handle, but is also adjustable in 1/8ths (45º) so that the end of the lever stays within the width of the handle. It's not obvious and I bet it gets overlooked all the time - a bit like the metal button in the Marples mortice gauge.
It doesn't have any squiggles on either!

 

[wizer]

Jacob, what about if you happen not to be working on the side with the lever?

 

[Dal123]

Thanks for all input people , really appreciate it. Wow them Vespers are truly beautiful .
I would love one of them when I get my own place/ workshop. Unfortunately I work on-site as a Shuttering Chippy and most other chippies don't even have their own tape measure. It's a shame as a lot of jobs don't require much tools as a lot of jobs are just pre-fabricated shutters. I've been lucky enough to be on a few small jobs lately and more skilled work of timber shutters and stairs etc (Nothing like the brilliant work furniture etc you true Carpenters do ) and the tools are a bit safer but saying that I've lent out two levels and they have been broken :x .
Thanks for the input people, well appreciated, think I might go for a Japaneese Shinwa sliding bevel.
Wish I had the security at work to go for a Vesper but working out in rain etc and thieves/ borrowers at work I can't do this for work tools .

 

[wizer]

Dal the only thing that might be a consideration is length. It sounds like you might need a long one for the type of work you do. I'm not sure if the measurements are on Axminster's website. If not I can measure mine for you. I'd say it's in the 'medium' category.

 

[Routermonster]

Another vote for the Shinwa and the Kell - both are well made.

Les

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

At this point in time, if you want the BEST sliding dovetail, there really is only one make to look at, those of Chris Vesper. There simply is nothing else that comes close.

(The picture posted earlier was a sliding bevel of mine).

I am not sure why the cost of $1100 AUD came up. That is not a realistic figure. The bevels do not need to be purchased as a set of three. Chris makes them in 4", 7" (the one I have) and 10". These are $255 each (I got mine a little cheaper as it was the first one produced and had a tiny visual "flaw"). There is also a cheaper range (without the infill - picture already posted). These are $179 AUD.

Why buy a dear LN when a cheap Stanley will do the job?

Partly because they look nicer, partly because they feel better in the hand, partly because they adjust more easily and hold their settings far more reliably, and partly because they just work better overall.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[mr grimsdale]

Jacob, what about if you happen not to be working on the side with the lever?

er - what would be the problem?

 

[wizer]

How would you lock the lever?

 

[wizer]

(The picture posted earlier was a sliding bevel of mine).

Sorry Derek, it was just a google image search. Didn't twig it was your site.

 

[Alf]

Am I the only person to like owning a bevel with a screw? In a project where you might want to retain the same angle setting for the duration, it really helps in preventing one folding it up without thinking (or someone else doing it). And it never gets in the way either.

 

[mr grimsdale]

How would you lock the lever?

You just tighten it up when you have set the angle - as with any other sliding bevel. Wos the problem?

 

[woodbloke]

Partly because they look nicer
Regards from Perth

Derek

...as nice as this?...subjective issue - Rob

 

[mr grimsdale]

Partly because they look nicer
Regards from Perth

Derek

...as nice as this?...subjective issue - Rob

Odd looking object. Why is half the blade missing? Is it for a special purpose?