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Pinnacle Chisels?
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Author:  Chansen [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:30 am ]
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I just bought the 8 piece Pinnacle chisel set from woodcraft... here. They left the June sale price out on accident so I got it for $50 instead of $75. I am new to woodworking tools, so I can't really tell good from bad. Will these do ok for what we do... at least for a hobby builder? Todd Stock told me the biggest difference between a good set and a bad set (chisels and other blades) is the frequency in which you will need to sharpen. That makes sense to me. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Christian
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:39 am ]
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Christian...These look just fine and will do everything you need to make quality guitars. Todd is right as always on the sharpening frequency as it relates to blade quality.

Right now...the best thing you can do is to learn how to put and keep a scary sharp edge on your new chisels.

Good luck!
Author:  SniderMike [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:29 am ]
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Christian, we have a set of those where I work. I like the bubinga
handles, but you will indeed need to sharpen them frequently. They
seems to get dull just sitting on the bench They're pretty easy to
sharpen though!
Author:  Chansen [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:06 pm ]
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Thanks for the info everyone - I think I will be ok with sharpening a little more often because at my rate it should still be a decent bit apart. I suppose in the event I start using them more and more I can upgrade to a better set. Good for now though I think. 
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:58 pm ]
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like most new edge tools they will be virtually unusable out of the box and require the backs to be lapped and the edges honed before you can do decent work with them.

whilst i have tried the scary sharp method, and it does produce good edges, i was never really happy with it.

for about the last ten years or so i have been using a brian burns sharpening system. cheap to build and easy to use, but the waterstones are not so cheap. you can also buy an improved version of his honing guide, but at a fairly high price.
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:03 pm ]
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[QUOTE=ToddStock]
The Lie-Nielsens and decent japanese chisels cost $50 each, but they hold an edge forever...[/QUOTE]

Hi Todd, have you compared the LN socket chisels to the Stanley 750 originals? How do they compare? I'm thinking about getting some of the LN chisels, they sure look sweet.

I sharpen chisels with a simple guide on an set of inexpensive diamond stones that go from coarse to extra fine, depending on the condition of the edge. I always finish on a Japanese water stone; I don't know the grit size it is, but it is pretty aggressive and will put a mirror on the bevel in no time. It is also a bit soft so it needs to be flattened now and then.   Bad nicks and flea market specials get set up first on a belt sander before I start with the diamond stones. I have these things ready at all times so there is no set up time, which means I'm more likely to hone instead of taking "just one more cut"; that is always how I screw up.

The most important thing with sharpening is that you have a routine that works for you, and that it becomes second nature.   
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:21 pm ]
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Good points on the need for sharp edges.

I find it amazing how effective it is to have a leather strop charged with green rouge handy. When using chisels, my strop is always within arm's reach. every 10 minutes or so, I simply take a few swipes on the strop and the edge is significantly freshened...even with the extremely hard Japanese chisels the sharpness is improved.

Try it if you haven't already done so.
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:27 pm ]
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my burns system cost me $10 or so for the book, whatever the ply for the box and honing guide was at the time, and the stones, about $150. oh, i forgot the bolts and door rollers for the guide, say $3. and half a can of polyurethane to seal the box.

the stones are the expensive part, though you can get them quite cheaply on ebay these days.
Author:  John Lewis [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:33 pm ]
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For western style chisels has anyone used Barr chisels? They look like LN or Stanley 750s. A set of 8 from 1/8" to 1" is $675.00 so they are pricy. Has anyone tried these against the LN chisels?
Author:  KenH [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:33 pm ]
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Here are a couple of my favorite chisels.. I got them at the local Woodcraft store... paid about $45 each for them. One is a 1/4 inch and the other is a 1/2 inch. Robert Sorby made in Sheffield England.



Also shown is my honing system made by Veritas with a Pinnacle Honing plate. This system will sharpen so good that you can literally see yourself in the bevel of the chisel..... wicked sharp.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:54 pm ]
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These guys have all the Sorby Chisels, including the long blade pattern makers chisels.  They also have pretty good prices on them. Their regular price on the 5 piece set of those shown above is only about $130.  They also have other high end chisels, etc.  HERE
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:14 am ]
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[QUOTE=ToddStock]If you can find a set of older Sorby patternmaker's chisels, buy them.   These older tools had thinner, more flexible blades and generally run $80-$100 for a set of 5-6 tools at old tool shows. [/QUOTE]

Todd, set of 7 paring chisels, 9 1/2" thin blades, 1/4" - 1 1/2', $289.95 at the above site.  That's about $41 each.  Not bad really.
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