Carbatec Scribe/Awl kit

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

While in Carbatec today I noticed a new scribe/awl kit. At $25 I thought it a bit pricey, but decided to try one out to see how it compared to their old kit. I'm glad I did... the quality is worth every penny, my old one is definitely going to be retired.

The handle is red-gum finished with EEE/Shellawax. The awl/end-cap assembly can be unscrewed from the handle, which is convenient. I can easily see myself making a few interchangeable shafts & alternative handles in the near future.

I disliked the way the end-cap originally sat on the end of the handle as I often hold the end in the palm of my hand, where 'twas an uncomfortable lump. I worked around this by recessing the coved section of the cap into the handle, making the handle a bit longer and, IMHO, looking better.

[Cliff Rogers]

Very nice.

I make my own from concrete nails.

You can get a packet of 10 75mm (3") concrete nails for about $5 at Bunnies.

I make the handle like a regular file/chisel handle with a hole to suit the nail & make a ferrel out of a bit of copper water pipe.

I wang the nail in point first & then 'sharpen' the head off on the grinder.

One bloke I know from Townsville used the same idea but instead of an awl, he made miniature ring cutting/scraping tools out of them.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Yup. So did I, this one will be replacing the half-dozen conc nail jobs I have lying around. (Not counting the ones' that have disappeared into various black holes)

The reason I have so many is 'because they're always being lost under the workload and 'tis usually quicker to knock together another than to go hunting. Mind you, I can see the same eventually happening with this one... but not while the "new toy" feeling lasts.

[dai sensei]

Nice job Skew, that red gum really has some nice figure .

Not sure if the kit is worth it at $25, but your end product looks good, looks as good as the scribe Carbatec are selling at $198 (http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...90_19195_19196)

Cheers

[journeyman Mick]

An alternative to concrete nails is the used needles out of a needle gun. This is a pneumatice gun used to chip rust off steel plate or concrete dags out of mixing bowls. You could try a hire company or a boat yard for them. Very hard steel, about 150mm long still when they throw them out but only about 2mm diameter.

Mick

[Slow6]

worth every penny imo, I'm fast waking up to the importance of keeping my tools organised and sharp. the only way I can talk myself into the late arvo chore is to aquire beautiful tools that I am fond of. $$ or lack of means I'm making what I can myself. I dare say I might snag myself that kit when I next make it to melbourne. after all what does $25 get you these days? I've seen bloody hamburgers that cost more than that.




no I didn't order the $26 hamburger.


nice work Skew.

[derekcohen]

That redgum is very nice. I have some bluegum that I am using for handles of chisles. It is really hard stuff. What is the difference between the two?

I have made several awls (and marking knives) out of spade bits. The tool steel holds a terrific edge.

This set is for a friend.

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Regards from Perth

Derek

[Cliff Rogers]

...redgum is very nice. I have some bluegum ....What is the difference between the two?...

Umm one is red & the other is umm... red too? Maybe they are related. :confused:

Ooo I know... sometimes they call blokes with red hair 'blue' maybe they are the same sort of.

Blue gums have blue leaves, do red gums have red leaves?