Thread: 1/8 chisel

Andy - I think you answered your own question. There's an old adage about buying tools only as you need them, so if you don'tr think you have a need for a 1/8 right now, then you almost certainly don't.

I find it a useful size for all sorts of things, though I rarely cut dovetails of a size smaller than 3/16" at the base. My 1/8 bevel-edge is used for lots of small clean-up jobs, and gets enough use on other jobs to justify its existence. I also have a very nice old 1/8" mortise chisel, which I used as recently as last weekend to chop a narrow, deep mortice, which it did very nicely.

So they have their place. When I was actively acquiring tools on a limited budget, I searched for the ones I knew I 'needed' first & foremost, but if something low on the priority list popped up at an irresistible price, well, who would say no? Several tools I now find I could not live without came into my possession that way...

Cheers,

Thanks for the reply Ian.
I ordered the 1/8 chisel thinking I would need it very fine dovetails. I think I might go for the 1/4 instead as I can use it for this purpose but also other uses.

Andy

Originally Posted by IanW

Andy - I think you answered your own question. There's an old adage about buying tools only as you need them, so if you don'tr think you have a need for a 1/8 right now, then you almost certainly don't.

I agree, but when I apply that rule I invariably could use said item next week and when I don't it becomes a dust collector.

My 1/8" bevel-edged chisel is considerably longer than the rest of the set as it seldom sees any use. My 1/8" mortice chisel sees sporadic use (horse and set square mortices etc.), but as Ian said, I would only buy one when a situation calls for one.

Originally Posted by BobL

I agree, but when I apply that rule I invariably could use said item next week and when I don't it becomes a dust collector.

Yeah, well, Bob, I don't always take my own advice either, and have a few dust-collectors too.
Only one or two, mind....

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Woodwould

My 1/8" bevel-edged chisel is considerably longer than the rest of the set as it seldom sees any use. My 1/8" mortice chisel sees sporadic use (horse and set square mortices etc.), but as Ian said, I would only buy one when a situation calls for one.

Hmm, now that makes perfect sense - no wonder the 1/8 mortise chisel I scored has so much metal remaining despite its vintage. It should be good for several more generations, yet. Maybe 'til they chop the last tree down?

One thing I forgot to mention is that narrow chisels are a bear to sharpen even if you use those wussy guide thingies. You really have to concentrate on keeping the bevel dead flat on the stone or you get some very peculiar facets on them. (1/16" is even worse!).

Cheers,

the only reason i have a 3mm chisel is because it came with the rest of them.

Potential uses could be as an extra skewer on the BBQ

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

the only reason i have a 3mm chisel is because it came with the rest of them.

Potential uses could be as an extra skewer on the BBQ

"Anyone for another through-morticed sausage?"

Originally Posted by IanW

Yeah, well, Bob, I don't always take my own advice either, and have a few dust-collectors too.
Only one or two, mind....

Cheers,

One or two . . . . I wish.
I just bought my 4th DC in 4 years and I do mean DC as in DC the machine! One is still in its original box!

I use an 1/8" dovetail chisel frequently. I also find equal use for a 3/16". In fact there are occasions that I have used a 1/16"!

It all depends on the slope of the dovetails, if you are planning slim/London-style dovetails, and the thickness of the wood.

The 1/8" and 3/16" are useful when the slope is 1:7 or 1:8 and the pin boards are 1/4 - 3/8" thick. Of course you will not find much use for a small chisel on the tail boards

My 1/8" mortice chisel gets use as well, not only for cleaning narrow grooves, but especially for morticing drawer pulls I build.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I used a 1/8 chisel this afternoon while chopping a recess into a saw handle to take a saw nut. Started with an in-caannel gouge but it was too big so tried 1/4" but it too was no good. The 1/8 berg did the trick.

Don't listen to them, get the 1/8". You might need one one day.

Cheers,
Virg.