Ok...the refurbishment of the steamer recliner took a lot of today up which was not planned BUT it does mean that I can test these tools tomorrow in anger on REAL work...when I make the mortice for the new leg I have to make.
I can also fully test the rasp on the leg because the end is contoured.
ANYWAYS....off to the test....
First..I tested the flush cutting Japanese saw. Now as I said, I could feel a set on this saw and so I was rather sceptical as to whether it would work without leaving any scratches...which is the whole point of these saws...
The
first test:
For this test I decided that I would use oak as the dowel....a hard wood...and I embedded it into mahogany which was somewhat softer and would show any scratching if it occurred.
I am not 100% on how to use these things as this is the very first time I have had the luxury....but I bent the handle to keep it away and started hacking....
Well that's it....cut through REALLY easily! This thing is sharp and very controllable...
Yes...there was dust...BUT.....
I am very surprised and pleased...as you can see...not a single scratch...perfectly flush and beautifully clean!! I WANT one!! This was a very pleasant surprise indeed!
The
second test was using the Richard Kell adjustable 4" bevel gauge....now I feel this is eye candy but not quite functional...I don't really like smaller adjustable gauges...I prefer fixed ones for purpose...so how did this perform...
Well...I set it to roughly 90 degrees and scored some lines with my new homemade marking knife. It felt quite small and almost uncontrollable....had a tendency to slip...but I have large hands...
I set a rough 6-8 degrees for a dovetail bevel and marked again...still ok but a little awkward.
Then I got bored with that little device and decided to see how the flush saw would cut the dovetail sides....REALLY impressed!
How accurate is that!
Of course...the observant will see that this "dovetail" is inside out...I just started hacking away without thinking. Tomorrow I will try this saw on a few real hand dovetails to see how well it performs over the Ryoba!
To be realistic...the new adjustable Ryoba saw that I have would make easy work of this but even though this saw is very small and flexible is performed beautifully!
So...the tool that I was almost sure would be superb...the RK gauge...was just ok...too small for me...but the saw...well....BRILLIANT!
Now on to test
THREE....the little rasp! The one that I was dying to try...
Now this tool is really NICE! It cuts with little effort and for a course rasp...it is relatively close to finished texture. It is nowhere near as brutal as my big bastard rasp....and you get the feeling that you could whittle something rather complex...we shall see! Watch this space!
So...swiftly on to test
FOUR.....the mortice chisel....
The prep for this was a roughly marked rectangle (of course)....
This cuts quite well really...
I prefer my old Sorby of course but that sort of quality these days would set you back and arm and a leg...so let's be fair...this little baby does a hell of a good job.
One thing that I noticed was that it was remarkably comfortable...in fact...very comfortable...which wouldn't strike you given such a plain tool. It sets out to cut mortices and that's what it does...effectively and cleanly. And I only had to use my very small iron adjusting mallet to tap it too!
Well...that's the lot guys...rather basic tests....not in anger on a real project until tomorrow....but I hope this gives you a viewpoint....
But before I say tata for the night...Matt sent me a little gem which I will be testing tomorrow for him...but here is a sneek preview...
Now this IS a real beauty...but I will keep that review for a separate thread....
Cheers :wink:
Jimi
Maybe you meant set?
