Post a photo of the last thing you made

[Fergie 307]

Yesterday, I made a couple of screwdriver blades (if that's the right word).

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A lot of the old Stanley planes have slotted (yuck) screws (e.g. the fence and depth stop screws as well as the "nicker" screw on the #45 shown in the photo). I currently tend to get a screwdriver bit holder handle and then rummage around for a bit that's the right size. I've got some bigger Wiha heavy-duty screwdrivers that would do the job too, but I wanted something fairly short and dedicated to dealing with old-fashioned woodworking tools. These two are sized to suit the screws on the #45 but they seem to fit quite a few others as well).

Starting with a couple of bits of silver steel, I ground these to shape on the bench grinder, filed a flat on the shank (to help some epoxy bind them into their handles) and then hardened to cherry red and tempered to purpley-blue (as per the recommendations for screwdrivers in the little book I use for reference). I then gave them a good clean up with wet and dry paper.

Today I turned a couple of handles for them:

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Very nice.
Making your own always worth considering making the very tip parallel, reduces the chances of it camming out.

 

[Dr Al]

Very nice.

Thanks

Making your own always worth considering making the very tip parallel, reduces the chances of it camming out.

Yes, I did that: the tips are hollow ground which (assuming it's ground with the bit near the tip on a tangent to the grinding wheel, which I was careful to do) has the effect of making the tip parallel.

 

[Steliz]

I made one of these a few months ago using some wet Birch (1st pic) which warped a little into a more organic shape when it dried.
I enjoyed making it and I decide to have another go but using some dry Walnut to see how it turned out. I'm happy with the result but at around 40 hours each I think that's enough.

 

[Jamesc]

Absolutly stunning

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

I agree: stunning. I can't begin to imagine how you start something like that let alone how you get to finish it without breaking. What technique do you use? Is it carved from solid?

 

[Stigmorgan]

I made one of these a few months ago using some wet Birch (1st pic) which warped a little into a more organic shape when it dried.
I enjoyed making it and I decide to have another go but using some dry Walnut to see how it turned out. I'm happy with the result but at around 40 hours each I think that's enough.

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Did I see these in a woodturning magazine? Someone at my local clubs open day had also made one, not as nice as yours though

 

[MikeB1972]

Well, made myself a new mini hi-vise, hand tool only build.

Like a leg vise but sticks up above the bench.
This one has a built in clamp or can, optionally, fit in a face vise.

Yes I know it's a vice, but I use vise to avoid confusing Americans.

 

[Steliz]

I agree: stunning. I can't begin to imagine how you start something like that let alone how you get to finish it without breaking. What technique do you use? Is it carved from solid?

Thanks, it starts as a solid piece and I turn the outside shape and drill through the centre. I mark it up into 9 sections then I use a dremel to do the carving followed by a lifetime of sanding!

Did I see these in a woodturning magazine? Someone at my local clubs open day had also made one, not as nice as yours though

Possibly, the original design I have pinched from a french sculptor called Alain Mailland - here's a video of his process.

 

[MikeB1972]

Thanks, it starts as a solid piece and I turn the outside shape and drill through the centre. I mark it up into 9 sections then I use a dremel to do the carving followed by a lifetime of sanding!

**** of a lot of work then, looks great, but I can see why you don't want to make too many more