split ferrules on Ashley Isles chisels

[ByronBlack]

I got my AI bevel-edge chisels out of their roll recently, having not used them for some months, only to discover that on a couple of them, the brass ferrule has completely split/cracked.. really annoyed by that!

Anyone else experienced this? Is it just down to wood movement, or dodgy brass?

 

[Mattty]

I got my AI bevel-edge chisels out of their roll recently, having not used them for some months, only to discover that on a couple of them, the brass ferrule has completely split/cracked.. really annoyed by that!

Anyone else experienced this? Is it just down to wood movement, or dodgy brass?

I'm under the impression that AI will repair them f.o.c if you return them. Let me know as i'm hopefully getting a set very soon.

I assume they have been stored somewhere damp and the timber has expanded?

 

[ByronBlack]

I'll get in touch with workshop heaven where i got them from and see what they say, I don't think are even a year old, I've barely used them. They weren't in a damp area, they were in a roll in a wooden toolbox, it's a shame because I do think they are great chisels, but this is disapointing - which I'm starting to feel about all the tools/machines I own. I should take up origami instead, a lot less hassle

 

[Tony Zaffuto]

I remember from several years ago this being an issue with chisels that were shipped to the States. Seemed to be caused by the change in humidity and IIRC AI took care of the issues through their American vendors.

I have a number of AI chisels--butt and regular size. Steel has been great and I love the butt size handles. The regular size have always seemed too large. Recently I turned the handle down on the 3/8" regular chisel, shaping it like a vintage Buck I have. Should have done this long ago, as with the great steel (longer length blade than the butt size is a plus) and a handle the feels good the chisel is now a model for turning the remaining long handles.

T.Z.

 

[wizer]

I'll get in touch with workshop heaven where i got them from

Matthew is a member, I'm sure he'll be able to comment.

 

[Woody Alan]

All I can add is I can certainly recall this being a previous complaint by another member, I had my own hassles with an order of Ray Isles not worth going into here, suffice to say I have been satisfied in the chisel dept elsewhere.

Alan

 

[ike]

Yes, twas I. The problem being (work) hardened brass. Barry at AI worked on the problem and refitted mine with annealed ferrules. That was several years past and none have split again. A shame that this problem is still around. Whether or not AI changed procedures or specs as a result of my fuss, I don't know. Rather disappointing though as it's such a simple issue, but reflects really quite badly on the image of quality tools.

On a ray of hope, I think the chisels in use are very good indeed, after I settled on a 35 deg. bevel.

regards,

Ike

 

[Ironballs]

I'd get in touch with Matthew, he's doing an AI chisel pass around at the minute - see thread in this section. Might join in the pass around as I'm in the market for some decent dovetail chisels

 

[matthewwh]

Hi Byron,

If you pop them in the post - either to me or straight to the factory we'll be happy to get them sorted out and returned to you as quickly as possible.

Cheers,


Matthew

 

[Mr Ed]

I had exactly this with one of my Auriou rasps - took it out one day to use and found a massive crack in the ferrule!

Unfortunately in my case no-one is offering to fix it for me, so i'll make a new ferrule myself.

Cheers, Ed

 

[Ironballs]

Ed, you say unfortunately, but really I imagine you're quite enjoying knocking out a brass ferrule :wink:

 

[TheTiddles]

I've always thought it odd that we use brass ferules, it's soft and suffers badly from stress corrosion cracking, stainless would be so much better

Aidan

 

[Ironballs]

That's a good point, many mountain bike hydraulic brake systems use little brass olives and if you don't get the fitting right first time you've had it as the brass will not bend back and usually cracks

 

[TheTiddles]

Brass is great for compression olives, in tension or shear it's rubbish as we all know from those lovely brass screws that break off just when you don't want them to. It's one of the reasons I like the LN socket chisels, I'm going to rehandle my marples plastic handled ones with hornbeam and the ferules certainly won't be brass

Aidan

 

[ByronBlack]

Cheers, Matthew, I'll send the chisels back as suggested