First homemade chisel

[Crewdawg445]

Evening gents, a few days ago I had a post concerning the most common chisel sizes that were found upon the work bench. Being one who takes pride in creating their own tools if possible, others seem to have great success in making their own chisels from music wire. Being a grade of tool steel, I grabbed various sizes from a local hobby shop and got to work. The chisel below was basically a test run, although it turned out much nicer than I intended!

Here it is, made from 5/32 music wire, heated up until glowing orange and worked flat on my anvil. Basic flat chisel head measuring 1/8". 3/4" oak dowel quickly made for the handle, nothing fancy.

Here you see a close up of the blade, quenched in oil then tempered in the oven at 425 degrees for an hour. Sharpened with my arkansas stones and now holding a scalpel type edge.

Exact measurement showing exactly a 1/8" cutting surface.

Last but not least, this picture was actually taken before the blade was finally tempered, sharpened and ran across the stropping leather... I couldn't resist! Simple 1/8" straight cut, just as I wanted.

Many more sizes and tool shapes to come, all for my first build!

 

[coloradoclyde]

Impressive!
build your own gun and tools.
Now that's the spirit!
Can't wait to see the results. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thank ya kindly! Means so much more when you create the tools to create the rifle! This took me about an hour, I'm a perfectionist so it had to be just right... Think I have the proces down so I'm planning on making various sizes up to 5/8 for straights and then a few spoon shaped chisels. It's very rewarding and it also keeps my wife happy knowing I can make the tool, rather than buy it.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Means so much more when you create the tools to create the rifle!

Absolutely. :hatsoff:
Not just tools but many of the other 'stuff' and 'things' we use in this game.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Amen! I just produced another made out of 1/8 wire, formed to a 1/4" straight in less than 30 minute's. It's now in the oven... wife's not home so I get away with it!

 

[gunmaker43]

Nice work, Dixie gun works sells 12" X 1" billets of spring steel in a few thicknesses. Lot a tools can be made up from that stuff for a few dollars. Old files, screwdrivers, drill bits bout any steel---even nails.....Tom

 

[Len Graves]

Excellent! yours looks just like one I made and use all the time. You might like to make one as a skew chisel, both left and right, for relief carving they let you into those pointy places. You might even want one half that width for ramrod pipe tails. The first one is the hardest. Now the sky is the limit . I almost enjoy making specific tools. As much as the carving. Good going.

 

[MSW]

Way COOL!

the nicest tools are the ones you make yourself.

:hatsoff:

 

[matt denison]

Ya done good. Now make another one with about a 1/4" - 1/2" dog leg in the shank about an inch from the cutting edge so you can get into the bottom of various mortises like lock and patch boxes.

Here's a hint from the wise so you don't repeat my mistakes: Put flat sides on that round handle so it won't roll off the workbench and hit the floor sharp-edge-first. Been there, cried over that.

 

[Crewdawg445]

+ 1, started making one last night! :hatsoff:

 

[Ken Cormier]

Wow the talent on here boggles my pea brain :hatsoff:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Way of life! :thumbsup:

 

[MSW]

Wow the talent on here boggles my pea brain :hatsoff:

don't sell yourself short: it's not the size of the brain, it's what you do with your time.

I, for one, would much rather have "Couldn't pry him out of the shop with a crowbar" on my headstone than "Spent all his time at the office."

Don't take life too serious - it ain't nohow permanent...

 

[Crewdawg445]

Love it! This is so true on many levels. Wanted to post a few pictures of my "updated" chisels. Shortened the blades and lengthened the handles. Gives more leverage and a better "feel" per say with the tool. Overall, very impressed with how well these work!

Oh, bought a new 10" bench press and bench grinder... opens up a whole new can of worms!!!
:grin:

 

[B.Habermehl]

One thing to watch for when you make the 1/8 or 5/32 chisel for digging out the trigger mortise/slot make your chisel deeper than wide and temper it a bit softer to tolerate the digging you will inevitably do. BJH

 

[nit wit]

Those are good enough to buy!!Very nice. :hatsoff:
Nit Wit

 

[Billnpatti]

Now that is some fine work. I am tempted to give it a go at making some carving chisels for myself. Unfortunately, it will be a while before I do anything more than one finger typing on the computer. I just had shoulder surgery and my left arm is kept in an ungainly sling apparatus that keeps me from using it for anything. But, that will be on my "To Do' list when the Dr. lets me start using my arm again.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Sorry to hear that, hope all is well! Thank you as well, I'd be more than happy to make you a few and send then your way! I honestly think I enjoy making my own tools as much as building. Just gives you a better appreciation for the buold overall IMO.

 

[tlallijr]

Very nice Ben ! I really like the looks of your chisels, great job !

 

[LRB]

It is also easy to make half round gouges with the wire. Just grind front section to half thick, and file a scoop in with a round file. Leave temper as is, or re-harden and temper to a straw color.