Thread: Salvaging Abused Tools - Saving a Classic Chisel

It's beautiful! I keep finding nice Marples, Titan and other assortment of chisels at my Sunday market. While I'm confident that I can bring the irons to usable state, I don't have the skills to restore the handles which are usually in horrible condition. One day I'm going to regret not buying those chisels!

Azahan

Originally Posted by mdrose

It's beautiful! I keep finding nice Marples, Titan and other assortment of chisels at my Sunday market. While I'm confident that I can bring the irons to usable state, I don't have the skills to restore the handles which are usually in horrible condition. One day I'm going to regret not buying those chisels!

Azahan

Thanks Azahan.
There is a Titan and a Ward in similar condition awaiting restoration as well, but I think that their handles are beyond repair.
I'll have to turn some new ones for them, as, like yours, they are not salvageable.
It is always a pleasure bringing badly treated tools back to life isn't it.
Tom

I had a similar old chisel come into my shop a couple of months ago.
A Ward 1 1/4" that had opened many paint cans

1.jpg2.jpg

It had a terrible handle and I had another 1 1/2" Marples that also had a terrible handle.

3.jpg

I turned a simple profile out of White Beech added some brass ferules, and now they have 'not so terrible' handles.
I like this profile for this style of chisel.

4.jpg

Stu

Beautiful results.
That is a classic design.
Well done
Tom

I actually started doing some woodturning solely in order to be able to turn new handles - not just for chisels but other tools and small parts.

It's very satisfying when you bang in a restored chisel iron into a new handle.

Originally Posted by mdrose

It's beautiful! I keep finding nice Marples, Titan and other assortment of chisels at my Sunday market. While I'm confident that I can bring the irons to usable state, I don't have the skills to restore the handles which are usually in horrible condition. One day I'm going to regret not buying those chisels!

Azahan

Originally Posted by Cgcc

I actually started doing some woodturning solely in order to be able to turn new handles - not just for chisels but other tools and small parts.

It's very satisfying when you bang in a restored chisel iron into a new handle.

Absolutely. You should show some of your work - you know we'd all love to see it.
I have a Ward and a Titan in need of new handles.
The Ward will get a long paring handle, as the blade is going to suit that application.
I am uncertain yet how to re-handle the Titan, but it may very well be a straight copy of the original design.
Cheers
Tom

That deserved to be saved and the work on the handle was very well done. Think I would have seen that handle as a lost cause and headed for the lathe but your old handle does look better than a crisp new one.
Saving those old classics is a great way to get your hands on premium chisels. Dont know why more woodworkers dont do it.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

That deserved to be saved and the work on the handle was very well done. Think I would have seen that handle as a lost cause and headed for the lathe but your old handle does look better than a crisp new one.
Saving those old classics is a great way to get your hands on premium chisels. Dont know why more woodworkers dont do it.
Regards
John

Thanks John.
I must admit that heading for the lathe was my first thought. It was the first owner's mark that changed my mind.
In the back of my mind was "........ if I make a meal of it, I'll turn another handle..."
Anyway it has turned out well.
Tom

I buy and restore the irons of every chisel
I can, but I dont have a lathe either.

Martin.

Originally Posted by old workshop

I buy and restore the irons of every chisel
I can, but I dont have a lathe either.

Martin.

Same here Martin.
I have to wait until I visit the Men's Shed.
A couple of good lathes there
Cheers
Tom

I had a good solid time at the the club workshop this morning, and turned up a very nice handle for a Titan firmer that I then split when fitting the blade. I hadn't allowed enough taper for the tang.
Rats!
I'll have to wait until next Friday for another chance on the lathe.
This attempt went into the bin.
In the meantime here is the unrestored blade and handle, then the re-worked blade.

20211103_142646.jpg20211103_142417.jpg

I have included more detail on my blog if you are interested:
The Village Woodworker

20211103_153132.jpg

Happy shavings
Tom

It's such an insult to a good chisel to be relegated to opening paint cans. When I spotted this (3/8") "light" tanged Titan I just had to do something to restore its dignity: 3_8 Titan.jpg

I kept the Titan handle profile more or less, but used a wood (Brigalow) Titan never used, and a brass rather than steel ferule (so should it be a 'brassule'?). 3_8 Titan handle.jpg

Cheers,

Lovely chisel restoration Ian.

Martin.