Woodwork hand tool demo. chisel question

[Jacob]

I've been asked to do a 2 hour demo for a charity fund raising (Alzheimers) -
Obviously start with freehand oil stone sharpening, that's the main item.
Then usage: plane setting up, chisels, perhaps saws, differences between types of tool etc
No prob, except what would you set up to demo chisel use? It occurred to me that in trad work chisels used more than anything for chopping holes; mortices, hinge pockets, dovetail sockets, so that's plan A.
What else might you put on the list for basic chisel usage, am I missing something obvious?

 

[Trevanion]

Do a mortice with a glass plate glued to the timber so you can see what’s going on?

 

[Doug B]

Setting up a block plane & cutting end grain, also doing the same with a plough plane always nice to see curly shavings being produced.
How about producing a simple slide top pencil box during the demo with the tools you’ve sharpened, you could auction it off at the end to raise more funds.

Will there be a hands on element as I’ve an old pig sticker I fancy trying with a rounded bevel :-k

 

[Jacob]

Setting up a block plane & cutting end grain,

Right. Stanley 220 and end of a 4x2"

also doing the same with a plough plane always nice to see curly shavings being produced.

Maybe rebate with a skewed woody.

How about producing a simple slide top pencil box during the demo with the tools you’ve sharpened, you could auction it off at the end to raise more funds.

Only 2 hours, not enough - was thinking of just chopping one or two sample DT sockets etc and letting people have a go

Will there be a hands on element as I’ve an old pig sticker I fancy trying with a rounded bevel :-k

Right ho Doug bring it along!
I'll probably mark up a stack of offcuts ready for people to have a go on at various things.
n.b. its about how to do basic trad stuff with as little kit as possible so won't be comparing, say, sharpening systems :roll: :shock:

 

[toolsntat]

Splitting stock with grain and rough working it to then drive (hammer) through a doweling plate is a very impressive part of a drawboring demonstration. Cutting the joint in half through said dowel and showing the deformation will open people's eyes to a time old and much practiced method.
Make sure you sharpen your pencil first :wink:
Cheers Andy

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

Paul sellers did a video recently demonstrating how to cut a shaped template in softwood using only a tenon saw and a chisel. That would make a nice demonstration.

 

[El Barto]

Correct use of a saw would be helpful. Holding it, how to get up to the edge of a knife line etc. Sawing is hard.

 

[Jacob]

Do a mortice with a glass plate glued to the timber so you can see what’s going on?

It's only a small group they can look down the hole.

Splitting stock with grain and rough working it to then drive (hammer) through a doweling plate is a very impressive part of a drawboring demonstration. Cutting the joint in half through said dowel and showing the deformation will open people's eyes to a time old and much practiced method.
Make sure you sharpen your pencil first :wink:
Cheers Andy

No time. Might just split a few pegs though. They were often used square without being shaped round - by the time they are hammered through the far end is pressed into a round but the near end tends to retain corners as the hole gets enlarged. You get a sort of wheat grain shape - which took me some time to work out when I first saw them!

 

[Jacob]

Correct use of a saw would be helpful. Holding it, how to get up to the edge of a knife line etc. Sawing is hard.

Planes and chisels (and varieties thereof) only, unless there is spare time - then perhaps do a rip saw cut

Paul sellers did a video recently demonstrating how to cut a shaped template in softwood using only a tenon saw and a chisel. That would make a nice demonstration.

A bit specialised for a beginners demo - perhaps in week 2!

 

[AndyT]

Paul sellers did a video recently demonstrating how to cut a shaped template in softwood using only a tenon saw and a chisel. That would make a nice demonstration.

A bit specialised for a beginners demo - perhaps in week 2!

It sounds specialist, but have a look - it's only 5 minutes. You could demo straight planing first, then show a completed curved piece and ask what specialist tools would be needed - answer, none if you read the grain right.

[youtube]2Z2Zq2pkY4I[/youtube]

 

[Bedrock]

Good for you - hope you raise a decent amount.

What about producing a tenon as I was taught a long time ago by my woodwork teacher, several cross cuts with a saw, rather than rip parallel, remove bulk of waste with chisels, then use a sharp chisel to pare across grain to dimension and fit?

 

[transatlantic]

Obviously start with freehand oil stone sharpening, that's the main item.

So are these people that have never done wood working before?

If so - don't start with sharpening, it'll send them off to sleep. Explain the tool and how it's used, then move on to maintenance.

 

[Bm101]

What's the audience Jacob? Hobby woodworkers, random but benevolent attendees in support of the charity? The WI?
I would have thought it would be the key consideration as to the content.
Keen beginners would appreciate unequivocal positive steps taken to regulate plane practice I'd have thought. (I know I would!) Random attendees would have far more interest in a display of process even if it doesn't ultimately lead to anything. Think blacksmithing at country shows. People are fascinated to a point when it becomes technical, then they (naturally) back away. Unless they are there to learn then the watch like unfed hawks.

 

[Jacob]

Obviously start with freehand oil stone sharpening, that's the main item.

So are these people that have never done wood working before?

If so - don't start with sharpening, it'll send them off to sleep. Explain the tool and how it's used, then move on to maintenance.

I'm putting it on as basic plane and chisel sharpening first, anything else to follow if there's time. Seems the obvious way. Most peoples' first edge tool (even if it's their old dad's favourite but been in the shed for years) is going to need sharpening before it can be used, if not it certainly will after a bit of use. It's the key to the whole process, without it you are locked out.

What's the audience Jacob? ...........

Random - but expecting to be told how to sharpen and have a go themselves. At least two woodworkers are coming :shock: - going to have to ask them not bring up secondary bevels, jigs, all the usual bol..x :lol: this is strictly back to basics!

 

[Brandlin]

I'm putting it on as basic plane and chisel sharpening first, anything else to follow if there's time. Seems the obvious way. Most peoples' first edge tool (even if it's their old dad's favourite but been in the shed for years) is going to need sharpening before it can be used, if not it certainly will after a bit of use. It's the key to the whole process, without it you are locked out.

That's like putting on an art demonstration by starting with "how to clean your brushes".

I don't doubt that knowing how to sharpen is critical to success... but it has to be the least engaging part of the hobby if you are talking to selection of non woodworkers.

If you are doing a demo to non-woodworkers, then you need to engage and entertain. Its not about being right.

 

[Jacob]

Paul sellers did a video recently demonstrating how to cut a shaped template in softwood using only a tenon saw and a chisel. That would make a nice demonstration.

A bit specialised for a beginners demo - perhaps in week 2!

It sounds specialist, but have a look - it's only 5 minutes. You could demo straight planing first, then show a completed curved piece and ask what specialist tools would be needed - answer, none if you read the grain right.

..2Z2Zq2pkY4I....

Yes looks a good one! Thanks for that both, I was wondering about other chisel tricks. Perhaps not this time though - it's filling out with good ideas already and I've never done it before.

 

[Jacob]

I'm putting it on as basic plane and chisel sharpening first, anything else to follow if there's time. Seems the obvious way. Most peoples' first edge tool (even if it's their old dad's favourite but been in the shed for years) is going to need sharpening before it can be used, if not it certainly will after a bit of use. It's the key to the whole process, without it you are locked out.

That's like putting on an art demonstration by starting with "how to clean your brushes".

I don't doubt that knowing how to sharpen is critical to success... but it has to be the least engaging part of the hobby if you are talking to selection of non woodworkers.

If you are doing a demo to non-woodworkers, then you need to engage and entertain. Its not about being right.

Not like cleaning brushes - any fool can do that. Sharpening is an absolutely key skill and causes endless problems. Anyway it'd take more than 2 hours to cover much woodworking in general, even as a demo only. More like 2 years!

 

[Brandlin]

Not like cleaning brushes - any fool can do that.

Wow! Well there is arrogant for you! I and a number of other (far better) artists might have a few shocks for you then.

I think this says everything about your attitude. You're clearly going to do whatever you want to. I have no idea why you asked for advice.

But I'm pretty certain that a few of your victi... err... audience members are going to say "Sharpening a chisel? Any fool can do that. I wanted to see what he was going to make, and how."

They will be wrong of course, because any "fool" can't do that. If you know little to nothing of a subject its easy to be dismissive of the necessary technical details - much like YOU just demonstrated above.

Clearly the irony of this is lost on you.

Good luck Jacob. I'm out of this discussion.

 

[G S Haydon]

Good luck with it! My early days at college were cutting joints. Start with a cross halving and build on that during the week.

I've done activities with my kids Beaver groups. I cut out chopping board blanks and they worked on rounding the edges with spoke shaves, planes, rasps etc.

Another one could be letting in butt hinges into short ends of wood. It's good practice work for hitting gauge lines, setting out and pilot holes.

Hope you have fun!

 

[Jacob]

.....
Clearly the irony of this is lost on you.

What irony?

Good luck Jacob. I'm out of this discussion.

Cheerio.