A basic set of hand tools - Part III
Choosing a set of chisels may be a fairly simple affair.... they even come in sets! But which one set should you get? I'd say none!
Chisels
If you are on a budget, a set of three bevel edge chisels (1/4", 1/2" and 3/4") will get most of the job done. It's nice to have a few more sizes, but I'd rather have only these three and have quality chisels than have all the sizes available from 1/8" to 2" of lower quality steel.
A lower quality chisel will be a rather disappointing tool. It wont keep a good edge for long, it may chip or get blunt easily and even when properly sharpened they won't cut through wood effortlessly.
There's nothing worse than cutting wood with a blunt tool. It tears the wood fibers instead of slicing them and your exposed joinery won't look very good.
These days Lie-Nielsen chisels are rated very high, these are expensive tools but you get what you pay for.
In my shop I have some western style bevel edge chisels but the ones I wouldn't live without are my Japanese chisels. These are easy to sharpen and hone and will take a very sharp edge that will last for a long time.
Japanese chisels are somewhat different than the western ones. They are forged with two different types of steel, one that his very thin and hard and will become the back and the cutting edge, and on top of this is a softer steel that will support it.
Furthermore there is a hollow in the back of the chisel so it is easier to flatten the back that is made of very hard steel. Some of the better chisels will have multiple hollows in the back for extra support. A good feature on larger chisels.
Due to their construction, the Japanese chisels can't be hollow ground and must be sharpened on a waterstone or oilstone. And if you want to keep your chisels for a long time, never lever chips of wood if you're cutting mortises with them. Take it easy on these and get a mortise chisel for the job.
So, what is on my set of chisels? Here's what:
The western chisels are somewhat redundant but I'll use them for more coarse work and will save the edges of the Japanese chisels for the finishing work.
The fishtail chisel is what I'd consider a specially tool, it has a very thin blade and excels at cleaning the pins on half-blind dovetails.
My next purchase will be a long paring chisel around 36mm, but this one will have to wait.
Next installment: Handplanes
Chisels
If you are on a budget, a set of three bevel edge chisels (1/4", 1/2" and 3/4") will get most of the job done. It's nice to have a few more sizes, but I'd rather have only these three and have quality chisels than have all the sizes available from 1/8" to 2" of lower quality steel.A lower quality chisel will be a rather disappointing tool. It wont keep a good edge for long, it may chip or get blunt easily and even when properly sharpened they won't cut through wood effortlessly.
There's nothing worse than cutting wood with a blunt tool. It tears the wood fibers instead of slicing them and your exposed joinery won't look very good.
These days Lie-Nielsen chisels are rated very high, these are expensive tools but you get what you pay for.
In my shop I have some western style bevel edge chisels but the ones I wouldn't live without are my Japanese chisels. These are easy to sharpen and hone and will take a very sharp edge that will last for a long time.
Japanese chisels are somewhat different than the western ones. They are forged with two different types of steel, one that his very thin and hard and will become the back and the cutting edge, and on top of this is a softer steel that will support it.
Furthermore there is a hollow in the back of the chisel so it is easier to flatten the back that is made of very hard steel. Some of the better chisels will have multiple hollows in the back for extra support. A good feature on larger chisels.
Due to their construction, the Japanese chisels can't be hollow ground and must be sharpened on a waterstone or oilstone. And if you want to keep your chisels for a long time, never lever chips of wood if you're cutting mortises with them. Take it easy on these and get a mortise chisel for the job.
So, what is on my set of chisels? Here's what:
- 3mm (1/8") Japanese dovetail
- 6mm (1/4") Japanese dovetail and western bevel edge
- 12mm (1/2") Japanese fishtail and western bevel edge
- 19mm (3/4") Japanese bevel edge (multiple hollows)
- 25mm (1") Japanese bevel edge (multiple hollows)
The western chisels are somewhat redundant but I'll use them for more coarse work and will save the edges of the Japanese chisels for the finishing work.
The fishtail chisel is what I'd consider a specially tool, it has a very thin blade and excels at cleaning the pins on half-blind dovetails.
My next purchase will be a long paring chisel around 36mm, but this one will have to wait.
Next installment: Handplanes
Labels: tools
1 Comments:
An interesting (to me) post would be a more detailed breakdown of the Japanese chisels. What the heck is a dovetail chisel or fishtail chisel? What's the difference between Western bevel and Japanese bevel?
And where do you recommend to buy them?
Great post!
Post a Comment
<< Home