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I am looking at getting a chisel set. What sizes are important. What brand? As for cost I am looking for a great value. (ie high performance, resonable price)

Thanks!

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Brad
Avon, OH

I'm sure that you will get lots of opinions about chisels. Mine is that the better the quality, the longer they will keep an edge. That said, I have a fairly inexpensive set of Marples chisels that I got from E-Bay. Buying new, I'd probably go for the Lee Valley boxed set of 5 -- 1/4" to 1". IMHO, the important thing is learning how to put a really good edge on them. When you can shave the hair on your arm, they're sharp. I use a variation of scary sharp.

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

I've found that everything 3/4" and bigger just sits and collects dust. If it were me doing it again, I'd forget about buying a "set" and just get the smaller ones (3/16'' through 5/8") My 3/16 and 1/2 are pretty much the only ones I use.
As Jim said, you'll need to invest some time into learning how to put and keep an edge on them (I'm assuming that you haven't done that already. Forgive me if I'm mistaken)
Lots of the Japanese chisels have laminated tips that have a harder carbon steel on top of the standard tool steel. I like that but it can tend to be brittle and chip if it takes a good blow.

I've had the same experience as Paul.

I got some from these folks, really good prices and service. I got the Crown bevel edge for light work. They feel good in the hand and hold an edge pretty well. I use the scary sharp method with a holder from LV.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] [QUOTE=Pwoolson]
Lots of the Japanese chisels have laminated tips that have a harder carbon steel on top of the standard tool steel. I like that but it can tend to be brittle and chip if it takes a good blow. [/QUOTE]

Paul, sorry I did not see your post as I was posting.

What is the thinking behind the laminated tips - cost savings? Any advantages to this configuration?

Thanks![/QUOTE]
It's supposed to make the tips harder. Which is usually good but there isn't much give to it anymore so it will want to break if it takes a good blow.

I have the 1/2" and 3/4" Bahco chisels. They're a high carbon steel and
weren't too bad at $17 each. I've used the 1/2" more. I'm more
comfortable with the narrower chisel because I know I won't accidently
slice the top when I'm profiling the braces.    

[Quote=Hesh1956]Brad what's your price range?[/QUOTE]

$200 but I will probably need something to sharpen the chisels with? (Honing guide?)

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Brad
Avon, OH

You can't go wrong with the Veritas MkII honing guide. I got one of these not too long ago, and also got a precision ground granite slab from Woodcraft. Works great so far. The thing I like about the Veritas design is that it's very repeatable, it has the little guide that tells you where to clamp it for what angle, and makes sure the blade/chisel is aligned so everything is square.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

the construction of the japanese chisels is based on the premise that the very hard laminated cutting portion of the chisel will hold an edge longer etc., whilst the soft iron body will be the shock absorber so to speak.

if money is an issue, the marples are good value, as are the narex offered by woodcraft i think. however ebay, garage sales and auctions are just as cheap and can yield better quality for the money. for example, out of approximately 30 chisels hanging above my bench, the one i reach for most often is a buck bros, cast steel 5/8" firmer chisel that i got at a garage sale for $0.50.

if i were to have a more limited, sensible number, 1/8", 1/4", 1/2 and a 5/8" or 3/4" would cover it and the 1/2" would be a long parer(my second most reached for example).

i found out the hard way what i already knew- you get what you pay for. i have some cheap pieces of junk from home depot that i was constantly sharpening. those are on their way out and i too am ready to spend good money on a good set.
just be careful when using them, i'm finally now back to work in my shop after putting one in my palm on halloween. getting stitches and having my wife not let me work when she's not home is no fun.

For the money, the Marples (I believe they're owned by Irwin now) are very good tools. I bought the 5 piece set (1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1") from HD for somewhere around $30 years ago. A minimal investment that will give you years of good service until you feel you're ready to move up. Plus at the price you won't feel too bad when you drop one point first on a cement floor. But at least my foot didn't break the fall...

BobK

[QUOTE=Pwoolson] I've found that everything 3/4" and bigger just sits and collects dust. If it were me doing it again, I'd forget about buying a "set" and just get the smaller ones (3/16'' through 5/8") My 3/16 and 1/2 are pretty much the only ones I use.

Hey Paul... I've been looking for a good 3/16" chisel. where did you get yours?

Would these be were the money? I'm concerned that they might be too short.

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Aoibeann

I have an old set of craftsman chisels that I've had for 30 years. They're very good, and I use all of them in furniture making, but for lutherie, I only use 1/8, 1/4, 1/2. The 1/8 is great if I need to touch up a saddle slot. I also have the stew-mac curved chisel, which is wonderful for carving braces.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I would go with one 1/2" chisel and invest the rest of the money into sharpening equipment. Unless you have something to keep them sharp, they won't be of much use. One chisel, a couple of sharpening stones and a honing guide would be a much better investment than a full set of chisels. I would also go with the cheapest chisel you can find until you get the hang of sharpening and then upgrade.

Joe Volin

I just went though this. I had a set of Marples and I agree very good bang for the buck. I decided to upgrade though and bought a few each of different types/makers. I got a pretty good deal on a set of japanese chisels and they're nice but when it was all said and done I ended up buying the sizes I wanted and completed my set of Two Cherries. They come in a wide array of sizes and are about $23-$25 each.




I second the ideas stated above; If this is a first set and you are at all unsure of your woodwoorking future, buy the marples or equivilant low dollar chisels. If you are upgrading, buy the best you can and realise that you are buying a tool that will be handed down to the next generation... or sold and an estate auction, but that's a different matter...

Check here
Chisels

Best prices I've found and quick shipping. Those CI falls look nice but I've not heard any reviews...


One other thing to consider, if you are looking at Japanese chisels is that there is a marked size difference in similar chisels. The photo below is of three 1/2" chisels. The TC is 12mm the Jap is 12mm and the Marples is 13mm. They are shown on a back outlined for an OLF SJ.

I have average sized hands so both are fairly comfortable. If you have unusually large or small hands it could make a difference.

RCoates39041.0047453704

I started with a set of these - a remarkably good set for the money, but am slowly upgrading to the Two Cherries. Like Paul said, I hardly ever use anything larger than 3/4".

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Hesh, looking at those Japanese chisels there, they don't seem to be hollow ground. Where did you get them? I would love to have some non-hollow Japanese steel!!

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] Brad what's your price range?

I agree with all that Jim said above and as a chiseler myself I have some personal preferences as well.

I would add that you should buy the best chisels that you can afford since they are so very key to guitar building and you will have them, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for the rest of your life.

I have had very good results with these:



[/QUOTE]

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I got the set of seven Lee Valley chisels as a gift a year or so ago. I like them; I haven't had reason yet to want better (or more expensive) chisels. I tend to reach for the 3/4" inch chisel a lot, but (as Paul Woolson mentions) I don't think I've used any of the wider ones at all.

I also second Jon Kendall's recommendation of the Veritas Mk.II Honing Guide. It's made a world of difference in the sharpness of my chisels and plane irons.

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John Cavanaugh
Saint Paul, MN
"What could possibly go wrong?"

[QUOTE=John How] Hesh, looking at those Japanese chisels there, they don't seem to be hollow ground. Where did you get them? I would love to have some non-hollow Japanese steel!! [/QUOTE]
John, I think it's just a trick of the lighting. I'm sure it's got a standard Japanese back.

[QUOTE=Pwoolson] I've found that everything 3/4" and bigger just sits and collects dust. [/QUOTE]

Interesting comment, Nancy. Tell me Sally, do you find the bigger chisels a little too heavy, Denise?

(caviat: long running joke between Mr. Woolson and I; take no offense)

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John Watkins
CNC Guitar Parts

that's a nice slick! thinking of going into the timber frame construction business?