Restored an old, chipped Craftsman Crown chisel

[fishwatcher]

I’ve had my dad’s Craftsman chisel (WF 9 36884) in a toolbox for maybe 20 years. It was chipped, stained, and l’ve used it to pry things rather than as a proper chisel. I didn’t know any better when I first got it.

Before restoring I saw all sorts of videos on chisel restores using bench grinders and honing tools. I have none of that.

Using a file and various grits of sandpaper (as low as 100 and small scraps as high as 2000) ..


.. and 3M micro mesh polishing paper.. I restored this back to a decent looking and usable tool.



I guess I could have used my bench stones.. but I’m happy with the results as is and just wanted to share with folks who might appreciate this effort.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Modern Garage]

Looks great! I have one just like it (I keep picking up orphan chisels to save them from scrap) and the handle is a little short for comfort but it takes an edge well.
Just don't store it in a closed space. That handle will stink up the place if allowed to...
Joe

 

[nickelTwin]

That looks really nice!

 

[Rusted Nut]

They look good! I just sharpened my Stanley set on a diamond stone.

 

[genog]

Nice job

I pick up orphan chisels whenever I see them at garage sales, etc
...just can't lay off....

 

[RTM]

I buy all the decent chisels I can find, crud handles go in the loan to the neighbors pile.

Sharpening on sandpaper is often called Scary Sharp. Did you use the micro mesh only on the handle?

A great way to remove big dings is a roll of blue sandpaper, and just run down a length, the blue stays aggressive for a long time.

 

[fishwatcher]

I buy all the decent chisels I can find, crud handles go in the loan to the neighbors pile.

Sharpening on sandpaper is often called Scary Sharp. Did you use the micro mesh only on the handle?

A great way to remove big dings is a roll of blue sandpaper, and just run down a length, the blue stays aggressive for a long time.

The micro mesh was used on the handle for sure. After I was done with the handle, I used it on the steel as well. It gave it a light polish, since it was already used. Fresh sandpaper definitely did the trick. I used two sheets of 100 grit, then ran out and went to a couple of sheets of 120. The dings on the front edge were easily 1 - 1.5 mm in a couple of spots. I wish I would have taken before shots.

 

[fishwatcher]

They look good! I just sharpened my Stanley set on a diamond stone.

I dug out my much newer Buck Brothers chisels and noticed a small ding on one of them. I think rather than sand paper, I'll try out my diamond stone. I've got 400 grit and 1000 (or maybe it's 1200?) grit sides.

 

[Pexto]

That's very cool - nice job! It was a little hard to read, but does the back say "Made in Holland" and "Swedish Steel"? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Craftsman chisel before, only on some far more recent Nooitgedagt chisels. I wonder if Nooitgedagt was the manufacturer?

 

[Lesserstore]

That's very cool - nice job! It was a little hard to read, but does the back say "Made in Holland" and "Swedish Steel"? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Craftsman chisel before, only on some far more recent Nooitgedagt chisels. I wonder if Nooitgedagt was the manufacturer?

You hit the nail right on the head. I covered it in a series I was doing about Western Forge but with college, its been pushed to the side for a while.

Western Forge: Mile High Quality- 1965-2020

I started doing this research on Western Forge in September of last year, and I finally have finished the first three parts. Part I is the history of WF and screwdrivers, Part II is adjustable wrenches, and Part III is wood chisels. I know WF made pliers, torque wrenches, flat wrenches, sockets...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[fishwatcher]

“That's very cool - nice job! It was a little hard to read, but does the back say "Made in Holland" and "Swedish Steel"? I don't think I've ever seen that on a Craftsman chisel before, only on some far more recent Nooitgedagt chisels. I wonder if Nooitgedagt was the manufacturer?”

Yes it says that exactly. I don’t know anything else about this and I only have one. There is one on eBay (not mine) and it mentions this is a Crown logo Craftsman.

 

[fishwatcher]

You hit the nail right on the head. I covered it in a series I was doing about Western Forge but with college, its been pushed to the side for a while.

Western Forge: Mile High Quality- 1965-2020

I started doing this research on Western Forge in September of last year, and I finally have finished the first three parts. Part I is the history of WF and screwdrivers, Part II is adjustable wrenches, and Part III is wood chisels. I know WF made pliers, torque wrenches, flat wrenches, sockets...

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks! That’s neat to know the date range was from 68’ - 72’.

 

[Pexto]

You hit the nail right on the head. I covered it in a series I was doing about Western Forge but with college, its been pushed to the side for a while.

Western Forge: Mile High Quality- 1965-2020

I started doing this research on Western Forge in September of last year, and I finally have finished the first three parts. Part I is the history of WF and screwdrivers, Part II is adjustable wrenches, and Part III is wood chisels. I know WF made pliers, torque wrenches, flat wrenches, sockets...

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks for the link! Great work on that series. And it clears up a little mystery for me - I have one of the chrome-plated Craftsman chisels you mention (with the blue/clear handle). I've always wondered who made it, now I know.