New Chisels

[jimmy82]

I broke my go to flat chisel the other day. It wasn't anything fancy, just something I got out of the bargain bin. It really only lasted for one and a half guns. So I'm thinking of upgrading. I was looking at the Solingen stuff on totw, they worth it? Or is there something good at the home improvement stores?

 

[Pete G]

It is false economy to try and save money on tools; buy first what you are going to end up with and you will save all of the money that you would have spent on cheaper tools that you bought before you knew better. Do not hesitate for a minute to go with the Solingen chisels. Do that and you will never have to ask this question again.

Incidentally, there is nothing suitable in the home improvement stores; not for gun building anyway.

 

[Coot]

The hand tools at the big box stores are made down to a price - after all, how can they expect to sell a hand tool for more than a cheap power tool. Tools made for specialists like woodcarvers are a different but expensive story. I have had good luck buying old hand tools (made back when hand tools were the primary if not the only tools of professional woodworkers) on eBay.

 

[galamb]

Agree with the comments here.

Many of us are not made of money so the thought of dropping the cost of a "set of tools" on a single tool is something we really have to stop and think about.

When it comes to chisels, once you have used a "good one" you won't go back to the packaged set of five from the local big box - there really is "that much difference".

I have a couple of chisels made by a company named Hirsch that I paid in the $40/each range that I use for inletting - a bit "pricey" (for me) but wouldn't go back..

 

[ohio ramrod]

I check out the local antique malls and flea markets for hand tools. The old origonals are equal to or better than high dollar new one. I truely believe a cheap tool is a waste of money. :idunno:

 

[Vaino]

Started buying sets {5-6} of bent chisels in 1976 and have 2 sets that do 90% of the work. Paid under $10 per set. They sharpen nicely and hold the edge before a sharpening is req'd...guess I was just plain lucky.

My larger straight chisels are moderately priced hardware store chisels and are giving good service.

Have 2 high priced gouges and they have been excellent chisels.

Also have made some specialty chisels out of 02 steel and these sharpen into clean cutting edges....these have hardwood handles.

Lately don't buy sets of chisels because already have most shapes....Fred

 

[coloradoclyde]

You get what you pay for....true! usually.
But, you still need to know how to sharpen it properly.

 

[Swamp Rat]

Learning to sharpen on cheap chisels is better than learning to sharpen on expensive ones. Learn to sharpen first is key. There is a chec company that has good stuff at a modest price. Starts with N... want to say numric but can't remember.
Found em....this is their low end set, but have higher end stuff also. https://www.amazon.com/Narex-Repub...1468643124&sr=8-4-fkmr1&keywords=chisels+chec

 

[Katahdin]

You want vintage/good quality tools ??? try this www.libertytoolco.com/ article in the latest issue Backwoodsman July/August 2016, pg.51 Located in Liberty Maine,has just about everything and anything.
I figure if I buy a cheap tool now, say $8.00, and later buy a quality tool for $15.00 I spend $23.00 on the quality tool,could have save money to go top shelf first buy.Junk/cheap/inexpensive tool are what you loan....not work with.

 

[ZUG]

Take a walk through the flea markets and look for the old chisels - they have GOOD steel and if resonably priced pick them up. The next thing is to get a few GOOD sharpening stones - oil, water, ceramic, or diamond in different grits (I like medium to extra fine or 8000 in a water stone) - then learn how to sharpen. When you think it is sharp get some green buffing/honing compound and load up a "strop" and polish the edge you put on with the stone. Your strop can be heavy leather, MDF, or cardboard from cereal boxs. You want it stiff & ridgid not soft and flexable. Place the strop on a hard flat surface when you strop if you use the leather or cardboard. :v

 

[MSW]

good advice ... you can get some good bargains at flea markets, but if you're buying new, be prepared to drop some serious coin on some serious gear.

so: two points ...

(1) cheap tools sX#@ (sorry about the language - no polite way to put it, IMO).

(2) an expensive dull chisel is as worthless as a cheap dull chisel, so learn to sharpen them.

good luck with your project!

 

[Katahdin]

My go to book when I was teaching Woodworking.Cabinet Building is/was,"Sharpening Basics" by Patrick Spielman ISBN 0-8069-7226-2. Covers most, if not all, anyone needs to know about sharpening tools,then it is just a matter of applying what you read.
And another good point,a sharp tool cut cleaner,heal faster and leave little scare,less explaining to do..I refer to cuts an spontaneous DNA transfer,,,,,,I carry band aids in my shop apron..

 

[kaintuck]

Aldi stores sell a set for about 8 bucks :grin:
Pretty good, and cheap enuff to work on, sharpening etc....

Marc n tomtom

 

[jimmy82]

Thanks for all the input guys! Sharpening isn't an issue, been sharpening stuff for 20 years. But it is good to be reminded. There is quite a diverse flea/antique market up here, I'll have to go check stuff out. It could be a covert mission while spending time with the wife :rotf: .

 

[Onojutta]

For basic inletting chisels I like the ones that Muzzleloader Builders Supply sells. They are very affordable, and are easy to keep sharp.

For wood carving tools, I have found the Flex-cut brand that Woodcraft sells to be very good, and more affordable than some of the other quality brands they carry.

 

[Scota4570]

90% of my chisels and gouges are made by me. Old files, drill rod, and thick music wire all work great. I make what I want for a particular task. Now that I have a drawer full, I spend more time cutting wood than making chisels. Quality store bought chisels are too expensive for me. A lot of the ones I use are obscure. For instance, left and right hand bottoming skew chisels, you just cant buy those.

 

[M Cochran]

Not to steal or redirect the discussion but you don't have a topic where you discuss you homemade chisels do you? I need some for metal inlay on an upcoming project but honestly don't know what I need but I'll figure it out when I start doing the inletting. I should also clarify I'm talking about inletting into steel not wood.

 

[ZUG]

Not to steal or redirect the discussion but you don't have a topic where you discuss you homemade chisels do you? I need some for metal inlay on an upcoming project but honestly don't know what I need but I'll figure it out when I start doing the inletting. I should also clarify I'm talking about inletting into steel not wood.

To get the answer you are looking for you should start a new post asking about inlaying parts into steel you will get a better response :v .