more chisel handling

[Anonymous]

Here are some chisels I have just done up for framing use.

The 1 1/2" is ward, the 1 1/4" is toga
others unnamed ones

close up of leather washers on bolsters

I got a piece of leather like what they use for shoe soles on good brogues anbout 5 mm thick from a local cobbler. The ferules were made in my local machine shop 12 for £10.00.
Handles were made from cleft ash out the firewood pile turned on my little recod lathe.
The corner chisel needed a LOT of rehab work (it had been doctored with the dreaded belt sander :x :roll: ) I just guaged the taper holding the chisel alongside the blank and shaping by eye when I made its new handle, same with the 1", I got a perfect fit on them both

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Mr S

Those chisels look pretty impressive.

Just a question - do you use a hammer or a mallet on them? And if you use a mallet, doesn't the top ferrule start to chew up the mallet at some stage?

Regards.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Very nice, Mr S :wink:

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Hi evergreen and Paul

On the tanged ones, I made the handle tops to have a very slight taper and slightly over long. As they are now theres about 3 or 4 mil of ash wood proud of the ferule top, so with use the wood will mushroom over the metal and act like a cushion type thing. If theres any further shrinkage, the mushroom effct will push the ferule further onto the handle till it tightens on the taper.
I filed a relief clearance inside the ferule before setting it onto the handle so it doesnt bind or scrape the wood (japanese style?) On the socket ones I formed a tenon ever so slightly tapered and drive it on with another lenght of tube and a hammer, theres only a mil or 2 of wood proud on them. Its just not that clear from the photos.
My mallets do take a bashing. I made some from an old oakwood jointer plane, others "crude" lengths of firewood (beech) on a good cleft ash handle.
I've neveer tried an iron rawhide mallet.

Do either of you ever do any framing?
Chees Mr Spanton

 

[Paul Chapman]

Do either of you ever do any framing?

Not at the moment, but I'm getting quite interested in heavy duty chisels having picked up some second-hand pig stickers recently for a very reasonable price :wink:

Paul

 

[Evergreen]

Hi Mr S

I've never done any framing but I've always admired large scale work. Trouble is, my workshop is just one side of a small garage that still has to accommodate a car. But when I win the lottery and want to convert a big barn, who knows.....?!

Regards.

 

[Anonymous]

aye but if you wanted to do some frames you could start simple and small like make a pair of framed saw horses, or a log store for firewood, or a bench, a front door porch, stuff like that. to get a feel for the setting out arranging and cutting etc? The way I am going to do my frame I will be cutting indoors on a bench but it can just as well be done outdoors on saw horses!
cheers Mr Spanton

 

[Frank D.]

Nice job, at least as nice as the originals I'm sure. How did you get the handles to stick on to the tangs?

 

[Anonymous]

hello Frank
yes I used the simple but effective technique of drilling stepped holes to aproximate the taper of the tang. I used a very old little tapered reamer as well and I sometimes use a tiny little "mortise chisel" to adjust if the drilling process goes off centre. I use a brace and bit and guage by eye, I've mucked up enough in the past to get some idea of how to get the holes plumb. And also how tight to make the fit, not too loose not so tight I need a sledge hammer to drive the handle on :lol: Again the lessones born of bitter experience! I believe you can drill on the lathe tail stock but am not tooled up for that. I didnt use any epoxy or burn the tang first, just friction fit.
Cheers Mr Spanton