chisels

[Swamp Buck]

After looking through several books and muzzleloader builder supply catalogs, I was wondering what type and size chisels are the best to buy and use for assembling a muzzleloader from a components set such as from Track of the Wolf or Jim Chambers Flintlocks.

The ones I've seen range from 4mm to 12mm and from straight, skew, V-gouge, rounded, spoons, etc. Help my confusion please..

 

[Birddog6]

Everyone has their own favorites & they seem to all be different on what we like. Most of them I use I have modified to make them what I want. A 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" wood chisel from Sears is a good starting point. Then the others are a useer preferrence.

If you can find a local builder & spend 30 min with him ,it would save you LOTS of $ on uneeded tooling you will find you will not use.

 

[szihn]

Howdy.
I'd recomend you call Wood Carvers Supply at 1-800-284-6229
Their catalog is very good, and they will send it to you free.

I think you would find the following tools useful.
First get a very good 1/4" straight chisel and another one in 1/2" at a local hardware store. (I buy Stanley brand)

The rest I would buy from Wood Carvers Supply:
Get "Lamp Brand tools" as follows.
Get a 2mm and a 4mm straight "#1 chisel"

Get a 2mm "#6 gouge" for stabbing in your inletting around some of the tighter raius, such as the forward end of the lock, around the rounded parts of the sideplate and so on.

You will find a lot of use also for a 4mm "#10 gouge," and an 8mm "#8 gouge" also.

Lastly get an H. Taylor Brand 1/4 inch "#14 bent gouge". This is the secret weapon for installing butt plates.

You will need a way to sharpen them. A "gouge slip" stone and a standard India stone will be very helpful. (you can stone the slip against the India to match the radius of your gouges.)
Get a good piece of hard thick leather to use as a strop. This is very inportant.
I use a piece of 1/2 thick leather 2 inches wide and a foot long. In one end cut groves with your gouges acrost the leather, and load the leather with polishing compound. (I use semi-chrome polishing paste) This will allow you to strop the gouges at the exact fits to each tool.
All your tools should be literally shaving sharp every time you approch your bench. Take the 5 minutes EVERY TIME to sharpen them before you start work.
All tools and sharpening equipement is available from Wood Carvers supply, and I love their quality and attention to detail.
If you have never sharpened gouges before, do yourself a favor and buy the book "Tool Sharpening for Woodcarvers. (only $10)
Hope this helps.

Steve Zihn

 

[bob1961]

lee valley has sets....that where i got some good set from....large and small sets..........bob

 

[Swamp Buck]

Thanks for your reply and the other members for their help. I just did'nt want to get the wrong ones and end up never using them - or not get the right ones and try to make do with what I had and mess up on a stock I was working on.

 

Hi Mr buck; If you go to carving chisels on ebay ,you can find a decent set of twelve chisels quite reasonavle, but watch shipping charges. these will get you started very nicely.

 

[BlackNet]

for usage goes I like the US made line that track of the wolf hahs. It's ont much to it but it's alot more effective and usable than the bulky handles on most.

Ed