Thread: Paring chisel making... Lets see em!

Originally Posted by KevM

Are you on a dial-up connection?

Wait for it to finish loading the pictures and will then take you down to thread # 549.

Na - using a mac and safari... That pretty much explains it doesn't it.

Post 549 appears on page 14 when I look at that thread.

Originally Posted by Pops

Hi TF,

Post #549.

Cheers
Pops

Originally Posted by two fingers

Na - using a mac and safari... That pretty much explains it doesn't it.

Hello TF,
Safari has a couple of issues at the moment.
I had to ditch it and download Firefox.
Problems solved.
Hope this helps
SG

Well, I had some free time today, so I took the plunge. Haven't sharpened any yet, but thought I'd throw a handle on one to see how it came up.
First, here is a photo of my previous chisel handling attempts (some one had a conversation about stanley and marples rehandling, so my starples is a bit relevant:
I'm not sure how to embed the pics in text, so you might have to work out which is which.
To work on the ferule (enlarge opening) and the chisel handle, I made a holder as per ThumbSuckers instruction. Worked well. Used 22 mm for ferule (could have been bigger, but not really important) and 32mm for handle..perfect.
The slot in the ferule needed both widening and lengthening. I did this with a needle file, easy. Just be careful not to take off too much. I opened the length out just a bit more than I would have liked, but not to worry. Then I chopped the top off the tang (holding ring thingo)
See next post.
TM

I forgot to say in the last post that I read the various instruction on the links posted by Thumbsucker (and possibly others) so I had some idea of where I was going, thanks for those.
Note that the tang has some dags along its edges which need a little clean up (file)..not much.
Next, I started the hole in the handle. I checked depth and straightness of existing hole. Note that the hole in this first handle was off line a fair wack, but nothing to be done about that.
I used a drill press with a 3mm bit. I drilled a hole either side of the existing hole (the easy part) about 40mm deep.
I then used the 3mm chisel, with a temp handle to open the hole out. I ended up purchasing a long 3mm drill bit and using that in a hand held drill to clean up right down into the hole.
Tbc
TM

Once I was happy the the hole was OK (but not too big), I used the method given on one of the links: I heated the tang on the gas jet from my stove (with the handle nearby). To do that, I wrapped the chisel blade in a damp cloth to keep it cool (it's so long that I don't think the heat would have travelled that far anyway).
Sorry not pics of that, no time to waste.
I then plunged the hot tang into the hole, small amount of smoke and burning, beautiful fit.
I've attached a photo of the tang after it had cooled.
Then I put it together with the ferule. Note: because I made the slot in the ferule a fraction long, I put a small groove either side of the slot to increase the penetration depth of the bolster (if that is the right term for the cross part of the tang).
Now all I have to do is do it 7 more times and then polish the back and sharpen them.
cheers
TM

Couple of things I forgot to say.
As mentioned by someone earlier, the ferules are slightly large (about .3mm) so there is some slop when put on the handle at first. I didn't worry too much and as long as the tang is tight, it doesn't seem to affect the finished product. You could use glue if you were worried.
Next time, I would get the handles turned, but not the ferule part. Lining up the other holes was tricky because it was right on the shoulder. Should be relatively easy to cut that part in with a tight fit, after the hole is made.
Other than that, TS, DJ and the gang have done a b***y marvellous job. Good one guys.

cheers
TM

TM, that last photo looks bloody good, I am glad to see that you did not have any major problems with the assembly. It means we did not cook up something.

The race is now on to see who will assemble the first full set.

TS,
congrats to you on a great job.
TM

I made a bit of a start on my handles today also. Sorry, no pics yet.

I found a small square file (3.25mm) in my toolbox, so I used that it enlarge the slots in the ferrules, It would have been a bit neater with a small flat file, but I used what I had available. It turned out pretty good, take heed of TM's words about not taking too much off, its a very fine line between not enough, and too much.

I turned my handles out of some Blackbean that I milled up years ago, I got 3 done today, I wouldn't make much of a production turner, I reckon they took about an hour each.
Mine look a bit longer than the ones that came with option 5 & 6, but sound like they are about the same diameter, 32mm.

I made my ferrules a tight fit, and fitted them before final shaping of the handle.
Because of the slotted end in the ferrule you cant use a normal live centre in the end once the ferrule is fitted, so I made a wooden cup for my interchangeable end live centre, that worked great.

I had a bit of a play with a couple of the chisels on a diamond plate to take the grinding marks off them, it's going to take some work as they are very hard, and it takes a lot of rubbing to take a little off.

TM,
I am curious about the amount you say the hole is out of alignment. The pic (the first pic in your post) you have where the ruler is just off to the side of the handle is a little misleading I think.

It seems to me that the ruler is not lined up properly with the centreline of the handle. And because of that, the angle between the file and the ruler seems hugely out of alignment.

Is this just an illusion or is the hole that far out?

Are the holes in the remaining handles you have out of alignment as well? If so, by how much in your opinion?

I am curious/concerned to hear from others who obtained their handles about how the drilling is aligned in their handles.

Ray153.

Originally Posted by TermiMonster

I forgot to say in the last post that I read the various instruction on the links posted by Thumbsucker (and possibly others) so I had some idea of where I was going, thanks for those.
Note that the tang has some dags along its edges which need a little clean up (file)..not much.
Next, I started the hole in the handle. I checked depth and straightness of existing hole. Note that the hole in this first handle was off line a fair wack, but nothing to be done about that.
I used a drill press with a 3mm bit. I drilled a hole either side of the existing hole (the easy part) about 40mm deep.
I then used the 3mm chisel, with a temp handle to open the hole out. I ended up purchasing a long 3mm drill bit and using that in a hand held drill to clean up right down into the hole.
Tbc
TM

Hi Ray,
Yes the ruler is way out of alignment, it is hard to take the pic and hold the rule at the same time. But you can see from that photo the the file coming out of the hole is slightly out. The second photo is take at 90deg to that, and is pretty good. I marked the handle on the good axis, and made sure to line it up in the drill press so that my new holes were in line with the good axis.
If I look down the chisel handle, down the blade of the chisel, it is clear to see. I'm pretty sure that my enlargement of the hole didn't cause it.
I have not yet checked any of the other handles and, to be perfectly honest, I am extremely happy with the result, so don't take it as a complaint, just a report on what I found. Knowing me, everyone else's will be perfect, showing me up for the amateur that I am.
I should get a chance to check the rest tomorrow.
cheers
TM

OK, a bit more progress today.

The first pic shows the cup centre I made, to support the end of the chisel once the ferrule is fitted.
Attachment 146457

This one is of a handle on the lathe with the cup centre supporting the ferrule end. I have sanded the ferrules with 400 & 600 w&d, they look nice.
Attachment 146458

Here they are with the chisels inserted ( not fully yet). Still have to cut the ends off that were held in the chuck.
Attachment 146459 Attachment 146460

Not sure if I will finish lapping the blades before putting the handles on properly. I would like to at least get all the grind marks off first.
The grind marks on the side bevels are going to take some work to get off unfortunately. I have had a bit of a go on a couple with a medium diamond plate (400 grit) they will come off, just have to be careful to maintain the correct angle.

Nice job Ironwood!

Had a look at the grinding rippon has done and am thinking I should have gone that route - oh well.

Was also thinking I might commit the unforgivable tool making sin and use aluminum for the ferrules. Brass is obviously better but with the tarnishing that happens in such a humid environment... If I use a light wood it might look pretty good. Got any ideas for a good (but grainy) light coloured wood?