Bench chisels?

[Jessica de Boer]

Maybe he was alluding to feet, as in measurement, in a twist on a phrase often heard from firearm advocates.

Probably not a bumper sticker one sees often outside the states.

jtk

Uh, yeah, I got that

[Tony Wilkins]

Haha, that was my first thought as well!

Ding, ding, ding

[William Fretwell]

Us Brit’s have not a Whits Worth’s of Imperial humour metric’d out by Uropeans.

[Brian Holcombe]

Imperial makes no sense so it's better to switch :P

Good luck doing that in the US. If you want to cut the selection of available parts down to about 1/3 or less. Push-to-connect fittings as example all of the ones I have access to convert metric hose to imperial pipe thread. Same with metric conduit.

I have no issue with imperial, it's actually very easy to use. Anytime I want it to function like metric I just use decimal inches.

[James Pallas]

Good luck doing that in the US. If you want to cut the selection of available parts down to about 1/3 or less. Push-to-connect fittings as example all of the ones I have access to convert metric hose to imperial pipe thread. Same with metric conduit.

I have no issue with imperial, it's actually very easy to use. Anytime I want it to function like metric I just use decimal inches.

i have to agree with Brian here. I think the fractions are what hangs people up. I do probably 90% of all calculations without a paper or pencil or a calculator. I would agree that if you don't have reason to do calculations often and for a reason other than school it could be tougher.
Jim

[Jason Martin Winnipeg]

I think this is the first time an Imperial vs Metric discussion has popped up!

[Tony Wilkins]

I think this is the first time an Imperial vs Metric discussion has popped up!

Really? Or did you forget to put on the sarcasm font? I don’t remember one but I would be surprised if it doesn’t come up. I was probably thinking of it because I saw a history video on YouTube recently on why America hasn’t. Really interesting. I can link it if I can and there is any interest.

[James Pallas]

To get back to Ken's question. I have many chisels, more than fifty. None of which are premium. They all work. I had a few bad ones. They are gone. I bought one of the new 750s a couple of years ago because I needed a 5/8. I liked how it felt in hand. It sharpened ok and seemed to last ok too. I liked the feel of it so much I bought a set. I than bought enough to fill out another few ti fill out a set along with 2 old 720s I had. I like chisels at 25* so I have one set at 25* and one set at 20*. I've been working that way for a year now. I like the feel and sharpening hasn't been troublesome. I bought two LNs a few years ago. A2 doesn't work for me at 25*, chips for me. Gave them to a friend. I hope he's still a friend. Tried a couple of medium price Japanese too. They work ok just don't like the feel.
Jim

[Jason Martin Winnipeg]

Really? Or did you forget to put on the sarcasm font? I don’t remember one but I would be surprised if it doesn’t come up. I was probably thinking of it because I saw a history video on YouTube recently on why America hasn’t. Really interesting. I can link it if I can and there is any interest.

Haha, I didn't think it needed it!

[ken hatch]

The real question is how to work with just a few chisels. In my shop I pick the chisel that is best suited for the job. Size can be important but also how the chisel is handled, what wood is used for the handle, is it long or short, firmer, beveled, pattern makers, sash mortise, pig sticker and so on. all have a job that they do better than other chisels. With the exception of the mortise chisels all could be considered bench chisels. Do you need all those different chisels, of course not but it sure makes life easier.

ken



ken

[steven c newman]

Hmmm...when Uncle Arthur (itis) makes things so I can't grip the handle on an Estwing hammer, tight enough to use....a large chisel handle tends to help with the grip....

Have several sets I use, and am very happy with. Some are older than I am. Others? Not so old. I grab the chisel that fits the job.

I'll leave it at that....

[James Pallas]

The real question is how to work with just a few chisels. In my shop I pick the chisel that is best suited for the job. Size can be important but also how the chisel is handled, what wood is used for the handle, is it long or short, firmer, beveled, pattern makers, sash mortise, pig sticker and so on. all have a job that they do better than other chisels. With the exception of the mortise chisels all could be considered bench chisels. Do you need all those different chisels, of course not but it sure makes life easier.

ken



ken

How very true. I just keep some for sizes for the in between things like 11/16 or 15/16.
Jim

[James Pallas]

Hmmm...when Uncle Arthur (itis) makes things so I can't grip the handle on an Estwing hammer, tight enough to use....a large chisel hammer tends to help with the grip....

Have several sets I use, and am very happy with. Some are older than I am. Others? Not so old. I grab the chisel that fits the job.

I'll leave it at that....

True Steven. The one that fits the job is the one that is needed.
Jim

[JimA Thornton]

I'm starting to discover why, when looking at workshop photos, there seems to be a wall of chisels of varying sizes and types.
Also, I'm learning that when doing a certain operation where a certain size and style of chisel would work the best..........buy it! If I need it once.......I'm sure to need it again!
That's my amazing revelation for today! Well that and how well my Record spokeshave, that I bought years ago, works when properly fettled.

Jim

[fritz eng]

I have both Footprint and Pfeil sets. The Footprints are no longer made and they are of Sheffield steel from UK. The Footprints are my go-to chisels. The Pfeils made of Swedish steel, are more than adequate for dovetails and general work.