Woodworkers, Looking for a Chistle set

[bearskinner]

That's nice, but not a really expensive professional set. I like the feel of hardwood handles. I don't know a thing about name brands, my Craftsman set ( set of 4 from 1/4-1") works well, but they are Excellite or similar plastic. Are there any to absolutely stay away from? Thanks for info in advance

 

[nutjob]

Take a look here:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/bevel-edge-chisels.aspx

I have a set of the Narex mortise chisels and am happy and the brand gets good reviews.

Kevin

 

[Git]

Whats your budget?

I am not a big chiseler but I did buy this set from Lee Valley and I am very happy with it. Keep in mind it is pretty easy to spend $300+ on a quality set

$79 http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,41504&p=70784

Here is their complete list of chisels - Lee Valley has free shipping ($40 minimum) until the 5th
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1&p=41504

 

[CJM8515]

I have an older set (10 years old? maybe older?) of buck bros chisels. I believe I bought them at home depot. Xcelite type handles with metal strikers, good metal. Not sure if they still make them this nice. I think they were made by stanley, cost something like 40 bucks.

 

[rlitman]

Which Craftsman chisels do you have? Current red/black ones from China (clunky ****) or the previous black ones from US (really good steel actually, though still a little clunky)? Or older ones with yellow handles?

Robert Sorby makes some nice hardwood handled chisels, though I'd be afraid to hammer on them. There's also the Japanese style chisel.

 

[woody 73]

I have some good reading material for you to look over:

http://woodandshop.com/woodworking-hand-tool-buying-guide-chisels/

As a good rule a chisel should be made out a good quality metal that can hold a good edge. So if you see a complete set of different sizes for some unheard of price of $4.99 you might want to avoid buying that set.

Again the sky is your limit you can spend anywhere from a few dollars up to a Kings fortune.

I have fun going to garage sales and picking them up for cheap then giving them a good edge on my slow speed grinder using a softer type white wheel (not the gray colored stones that come with most new grinders).

 

[pendragon1998]

I have used these for a few years and like them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004T...rt+chisels&dpPl=1&dpID=41OpTlmDsKL&ref=plSrch


The important thing to consider is you need to (a) purchase sharpening supplies (I am really liking the eze-lap 81-f and 81-sf diamond plates) and (b) learn how to sharpen with them. If you don't learn how to sharpen, even a $400 set will quickly **** to work with. Scary Sharp is another method, but diamon plates are easier, imo. Sharpening is something of a religion among woodworkers - everyone says theirs is the right one.

Google the youtube vid:
Preparing and sharpening a woodworking chisel - with Paul Sellers

Other sources of quality chisels are lie-neilson, lee valley, and Blue Spruce Toolworks, but you will pay. Narex seems well regarded, but I have not used them personally.

 

[rlitman]

I have used these for a few years and like them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004T...rt+chisels&dpPl=1&dpID=41OpTlmDsKL&ref=plSrch


The important thing to consider is you need to (a) purchase sharpening supplies...

That looks like a really nice set, and perfectly fits the OP's request too!

As for sharpening, yeah, you've got to be religious about it if you want your chisels to work well for you. My solution is to have four different sets of chisels hanging on a magnetic strip on the wall. I've ALWAYS got something sharp to choose from.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Narex from Lee Valley Tools. Good quality for the price.

 

[bearskinner]

Thanks for all the response, lots of info to read up on. The set I'm using now is from Craftsman, probably 25 years old, clear and blue Excelite handles with metal striking plates. They have held up very well over the years of abuse. I have a couple Double but Axes, made of Sweedish Steel, apparently with a high carbon content, they hold a great edge, but need to be kept dry and wiped down to keep any rust at bay. I've seen a few sets of Chistles in the $40-69 range, wooden handles, Sweedish steel, that I am considering. I'll look up the brands and compare to the information just received here.

 

[rlitman]

The set I'm using now is from Craftsman, probably 25 years old, clear and blue Excelite handles with metal striking plates.

Ah, those some of the best chisels Craftsman ever made. I've got some Stanleys from the same vintage that are pretty similar.

I actually really like my Craftsman USA made chisels with the black plastic handles, because they're not round, and I prefer a chisel to not roll around on the bench. But their forgings are unusually thick. Almost, but not quite mortising chisel thick.

The wood handled chisels I see all seem to be lathe turned. If I found a nice set of socketed chisel irons at a flea market, I'd make my own handles and offset-turn them into an oval shape (

But honestly, as much as I like the feel of a nice wood handle, I'd not be happy hammering on it, which kind of defeats 80% of my chisel use. My round lignum vitae carver's mallet is riddled with splinters around its circumference from the beating it has been through. Picking it up by the head is about as risky as handling fiberglass, and I don't even use this mallet for any heavy beating. I've got a monster mallet I think is made of live oak (feels as heavy as a tree trunk) for that purpose.

 

[Git]

If you look at the chisels I posted in post #3 - they actually have a metal shank and metal striking surface (kind of like a knife handle) with the two wood inserts. Feels nice in your hand and you can still beat on it without any damage

I don't think you can go wrong with anything Lee Valley sells - they are really 'top notch'