A
Anonymous
Guest
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... &id=35587#
Lets get this straight - I don't use a lot of hand tools. I have a lovely set of Bahco chisels in the workshop bought me by SWMBO as a birthday present a couple of years ago which I keep very nice and shiny (and sharp) by not using very much! My main need for chisels is when I'm out on a job fitting furniture and kitchens, hanging doors etc.
Which is where the Screwfix set comes in.
The first thing you notice is the metal case they come in. This is a very cheap set of chisels made (no doubt) in China but the storage case is absolutely top notch! It's a perfect size for flinging in the tool box at the end of a day's work, is robustly constructed like a mini flight case, and the chisels themselves are held in place by a quality moulded foam rubber insert. Pop this set open in front of your average customer and they are actually quite impressed!
I carefully honed the chisels by eye on my diamond wetstone (not the one included, even to me that looked a little agricultural) and prepared to do battle.
Test 1 - Pencil Sharpening.
This is where I realised that there was actually some quality here! In four or five gentle strokes my humble HB was as sharp as a needle. I was well chuffed. Even better than a brand new stanley knife blade!
Test 2 - Filling
The 1" chisel performed this important test admirably. From the moment I placed the blade under the rim of the can lid I had no doubts. A firm twist of the wrist and the lid flew a good 5 feet across the room. Who says the Chinese can't produce quality goods?
Mixing the filler with the hardener is always a stern test of a chisel, and the Screwfix again passed with flying colours. A nice even paste was achieved in record time, and once applied to the nail holes in the kitchen face-frame I was fitting, the chisel smoothed the filler in beautifully. A quick wipe on the back of my jeans and five minutes later the very same chisel could be used to knock off the excess, now semi-hard, filler to a fine finish. All in all, a first class performance!
Tip - a wire brush attachment to your bench grinder removes dried up filler off your chisels a treat.
Test 3 - Screwdriving
As usual, I had forgotton to take a flat head screwdriver on the job with me. Nobody uses them any more.
Unfortunately, the client now insisted on proper brass screws for the cabinet hinges instead of the brass coloured pozidrives I was hoping to get away with.
The 1/4" chisel did not let me down! Firm, quick, precise. What more can you ask?
Test 4 - Stealability
The final test is probably the most important. I was going off the job for a couple of days as the plumber hadn't turned up. I picked my spot carefully. The box of chisels was left slightly covered but still clearly visible and propped open in the corner of the hallway where it could not fail to be seen by any of the dozen or so tradesmen and labourers working on site.
Two days later - they were still there!!!
Not only that, but no-one had even 'borrowed' them!
That is surely the ultimate in a tool for a working carpenter. Does the job but no-one wants to nick it!
All in all, I can heartily recommend the Screwfix set of chisels.
Next week, I will be reveiwing the 'Blue Spot' claw hammer.
Cheers
Brad
Lets get this straight - I don't use a lot of hand tools. I have a lovely set of Bahco chisels in the workshop bought me by SWMBO as a birthday present a couple of years ago which I keep very nice and shiny (and sharp) by not using very much! My main need for chisels is when I'm out on a job fitting furniture and kitchens, hanging doors etc.
Which is where the Screwfix set comes in.
The first thing you notice is the metal case they come in. This is a very cheap set of chisels made (no doubt) in China but the storage case is absolutely top notch! It's a perfect size for flinging in the tool box at the end of a day's work, is robustly constructed like a mini flight case, and the chisels themselves are held in place by a quality moulded foam rubber insert. Pop this set open in front of your average customer and they are actually quite impressed!
I carefully honed the chisels by eye on my diamond wetstone (not the one included, even to me that looked a little agricultural) and prepared to do battle.
Test 1 - Pencil Sharpening.
This is where I realised that there was actually some quality here! In four or five gentle strokes my humble HB was as sharp as a needle. I was well chuffed. Even better than a brand new stanley knife blade!
Test 2 - Filling
The 1" chisel performed this important test admirably. From the moment I placed the blade under the rim of the can lid I had no doubts. A firm twist of the wrist and the lid flew a good 5 feet across the room. Who says the Chinese can't produce quality goods?
Mixing the filler with the hardener is always a stern test of a chisel, and the Screwfix again passed with flying colours. A nice even paste was achieved in record time, and once applied to the nail holes in the kitchen face-frame I was fitting, the chisel smoothed the filler in beautifully. A quick wipe on the back of my jeans and five minutes later the very same chisel could be used to knock off the excess, now semi-hard, filler to a fine finish. All in all, a first class performance!
Tip - a wire brush attachment to your bench grinder removes dried up filler off your chisels a treat.
Test 3 - Screwdriving
As usual, I had forgotton to take a flat head screwdriver on the job with me. Nobody uses them any more.
Unfortunately, the client now insisted on proper brass screws for the cabinet hinges instead of the brass coloured pozidrives I was hoping to get away with.
The 1/4" chisel did not let me down! Firm, quick, precise. What more can you ask?
Test 4 - Stealability
The final test is probably the most important. I was going off the job for a couple of days as the plumber hadn't turned up. I picked my spot carefully. The box of chisels was left slightly covered but still clearly visible and propped open in the corner of the hallway where it could not fail to be seen by any of the dozen or so tradesmen and labourers working on site.
Two days later - they were still there!!!
Not only that, but no-one had even 'borrowed' them!
That is surely the ultimate in a tool for a working carpenter. Does the job but no-one wants to nick it!
All in all, I can heartily recommend the Screwfix set of chisels.
Next week, I will be reveiwing the 'Blue Spot' claw hammer.
Cheers
Brad
