Help: Chisel handle replacement

[Kevin Gregoire]

i have a set of Irwin Marples Chisels and i am curious if the plastic
handles can be removed and new wooden handles be installed?

has anyone ever removed the handles from this exact model chisel?


http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/30033-01-500.jpg

[jim goddard]

I made new handles for a couple sets of Record Blue Chips and suspect theres no substantial difference in this regard between the two. As I said I turned my own handles so am unsure whether you could buy them ready made...I sort of doubt it. Making them wasn't difficult. I used bronze bearing material (what I could get a t my local h/w) for the ferrules which are plenty stout and look good. To remove the old handles I think I sawed them off and split what remained. I wasn't difficult once most of the mass was gone.

[Mike Henderson]

Why do you want to change the handles? If one of the handles broke, or if you just want the experience, I'd say "go ahead". But I wouldn't invest a lot of time and effort into a set of Irwin chisels. They're decent chisels but not generally considered "top-of-the-line". It'd be something like over-improving a house in a bad neighborhood. You'll never get your money back.

You could purchase some older, good quality, chisels without handles - you'd get them at a discount because of the lack of handles. Swan, Whiterby and a few other makers would be good candidates.

Mike

[jerry nazard]

To me, the Marples/Irwin handles are a bit too long when using a mallet. I cut about 1" off of a couple of mine and it improved the balance when I'm wacking away at 'um. They were a great set of starter chisels and I still use mine frequently.

-Jerry

[Derek Cohen]

I replaced the handle on one and also modified the blade ..

Remove the handle (just wack it off) and you will see this ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Chisels/Making%20a%20chisel%20blade/1a.jpg

The end result was ..

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/LowTechHeatTreating_html_2aa409b8.jpg

Articles to read: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/Soyouwanttomakeadovetailchisel.html

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/LowTechHeatTreating.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

[jerry nazard]

OK Derek,

After reading your post, I sauntered downstairs, wacked the shortened blue plastic handles off a couple Marples chisels, and replaced them with wooden handles that I had saved from another project. Admittedly, the chisels do look better, but the cool thing is that they fit my hand much more comfortably. Not bad for the 15 minutes time spent!

-Jerry

[Derek Cohen]

Pictures, Jerry, pictures! :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[jerry nazard]

Pictures, Jerry, pictures! :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

OK. Picture.....

[Derek Cohen]

Very nice!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Kevin Gregoire]

those both look really good!
i really like dereks, the way the handle blends right into the chisel.
derek did you make your handles or buy them?

[Tony Shea]

Kevin, all you need to do is visit around Derek's site a bit and you'll find that he def made his handles. It would be well worth your while to check his site out when you have the time as it is truely an awesome resource. Thanks Derek for providing such great information!

[Jim Neeley]

Amazing transformation in appearance, Derek...

I know my Marples don't compete with my L-N's but seeing your beauties makes me wonder if their "rating" would be higher if they came with such beautiful handles. You know, the subjective portion of any analysis... must be the engineer in me... :D

[glenn bradley]

OK. Picture.....

Excellent results and you've made them more comfortable to boot.

[Nixon Roger]

Here is another option (http://wwworkbench.com/smf1/index.php?topic=416.msg2285#msg2285). No lathe required. I find these very comfortable and will be replacing the blue plastic handles on some Stanley 5002's with these.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I replaced the handle on one and also modified the blade ..

Remove the handle (just wack it off) and you will see this ...

Stop it already, I don't have room for a lathe. You are making me want to start turning wood handles. I have some old chisels that are similar in make but I hate the handles.

Great site Derek....

[Pam Niedermayer]

Here is another option (http://wwworkbench.com/smf1/index.php?topic=416.msg2285#msg2285). No lathe required. I find these very comfortable and will be replacing the blue plastic handles on some Stanley 5002's with these.

Hi, Roger, have you had occasion to compare your handles for shape and size with the one Yeung Chan makes for the Veritas Detail Chisels?

Pam

[Matt Owen]

Stop it already, I don't have room for a lathe. You are making me want to start turning wood handles.

Did you hear that? I think someone was whispering in your ear:

"Don't deny yourself the pleasure of turning your own handles. It won't even cost that much. A small lathe, a gouge and a skew. It certainly won't lead to anything else, and when others speak of the turning "vortex" they're just kidding. Try it just this once."

:D

[Nixon Roger]

Hi, Roger, have you had occasion to compare your handles for shape and size with the one Yeung Chan makes for the Veritas Detail Chisels?

Pam

No, I'm not familiar with his. I roughly based the size from an old Adam Cherubini post and this Chris Schwarz post (http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog/talking-chisel-handles-one-small-detail).

[Pam Niedermayer]

No, I'm not familiar with his. I roughly based the size from an old Adam Cherubini post and this Chris Schwarz post (http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog/talking-chisel-handles-one-small-detail).

Thanks, Roger. They are a little thicker in the short direction than I think I want; but I'll work it out.

Pam

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

I've been meaning to try this method (http://www.galoototron.com/2010/10/30/my-first-socket-chisel-handle-whee/) for a couple of Witherby socket chisels I have that need handling. Just trying to put off the inevitable lathe purchase...

[Nixon Roger]

Thanks, Roger. They are a little thicker in the short direction than I think I want; but I'll work it out.

Pam

Yep. You can easily make them fit your hand. As it turns out, the handle is pretty small where you grip when using a mallet and the end gives a big area when you push it with your palm

[Pam Niedermayer]

Yep. You can easily make them fit your hand. As it turns out, the handle is pretty small where you grip when using a mallet and the end gives a big area when you push it with your palm

Yeah, but I don't need a mallet for these chisels, and I certainly don't push with my palm, at least not directly, got to save those carpel tunnels, for what I don't know. :)

Pam

[Nixon Roger]

Thanks, Roger. They are a little thicker in the short direction than I think I want; but I'll work it out.

Pam

These are easy to customize to your hand. Since they taper so fast toward the bolster, the grip area when using a mallet is pretty small. When pushing the chisel with the palm the large bearing surface is easy on your hand.

[Brian Ward]

I've been meaning to try this method (http://www.galoototron.com/2010/10/30/my-first-socket-chisel-handle-whee/) for a couple of Witherby socket chisels I have that need handling. Just trying to put off the inevitable lathe purchase...

If you've got a little bit of time and a little bit of scrap, I do encourage you to try it, even if just to fool around. I found that it gave me a lot more confidence when shaping stuff.