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Chisel Confusion and Questions |
Monkeyman
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Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2300
From: Vista, CA
|  Posted: 2003-07-30 11:14 am Permalink
Question to the carving folk.
All of the carved pieces I have posted on TC have been done with an inexpensive set of flat chisels. For most of the cuts the flat chisel works fine. There have been situations where I have needed to make curved or v cuts and have made do with what I have.
I would like to invest a modest sum in a set of gouges but have no idea where to start.
I have seen straight gouges of varying size and some with a crescent shaped blade. What would the scoop or crescent shaped gouges be used for or should I stick with the straight gouges.
I have seen some reasonably priced flat chisels on the web and locally but gouges all seem to be fairly expensive ($20 each and up) and always sold individually.
Are gouges different than lathe tools? Some of the lathe tools I have seen look just like a gouge?
Thanks
Monkeyman
[ This Message was edited by: Monkeyman on 2003-07-30 18:18 ]
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Chongolio
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Joined: Oct 02, 2002
Posts: 2765
From: The Coast of Kauai
| Posted: 2003-07-30 11:44 am Permalink
Good questions Monkeyman. I recieved a catalog from Lee Valley the other day and the amount of choices for chisels and carving tools has me more than slightly overwhelmed. Not to mention all the other things needed as well. Mallets, sharpening stones etc. A description of the basic tools would be a lot of help to the carvin' newbies.
Chongolio
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Basement Kahuna
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Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-07-30 2:39 pm Permalink
You should purchase a GOOD (quality very important)3/8 60 degree straight parting tool, a 1/2" #11 bent gouge, a 1" #7 bent gouge, and a set of small palm tools. The scoops work when cleaning out deep relief, but you won't use them often. The three above and the palm tools will give you tons of capability.
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Chongolio
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Joined: Oct 02, 2002
Posts: 2765
From: The Coast of Kauai
| Posted: 2003-07-30 3:03 pm Permalink
Thanks BK. Your input is totally appreciated!
Chongolio
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Monkeyman
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Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2300
From: Vista, CA
| Posted: 2003-07-30 3:53 pm Permalink
Thanks BK. That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Would these sized chisels you mention be appropriate for small work or is that the size you would use to carve a pole?
Monkeyman
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Tiki Diablo
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 1888
From: socal
| Posted: 2003-07-30 4:15 pm Permalink
D, look on sears.com for the robert sorby set of carving tools. About $130+.
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KuKuAhu
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Joined: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 567
From: Kahiki, Ohio
| Posted: 2003-07-30 4:56 pm Permalink
So what can I expect to spend on a good draw knife?
[ This Message was edited by: pele on 2003-07-30 18:40 ]
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Monkeyman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2300
From: Vista, CA
| Posted: 2003-07-30 5:08 pm Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: Monkeyman on 2003-07-30 18:19 ]
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KuKuAhu
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Joined: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 567
From: Kahiki, Ohio
| Posted: 2003-07-30 6:11 pm Permalink
[ This Message was edited by: pele on 2003-07-30 18:41 ]
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Basement Kahuna
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Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-07-30 7:59 pm Permalink
On the first point, the reason for buying the medium to large sized parting tool and gouge (and a steeper pitched gouge at that) is that you can use those two to cut to any depth you want, shallow or deep. If they are too small or too large they don't give you as much flexibility on your cuts. Chiki is right, a good set of Sorby or Henry Taylor tools will make your life a hell of a lot easier. Both my draw knives are oldies, but I'd bet you could order a nice new one for about 30 bucks.
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Tiki Diablo
Grand Member (8 years)
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 1888
From: socal
| Posted: 2003-07-30 10:02 pm Permalink
I think a FLEXCUT draw knife would be good for palmwood. The deal is it will flex(bend). I use a modified HomeDepot machete, $10.00 and a little welding.
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Lake Surfer
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Joined: Oct 21, 2002
Posts: 3308
From: Milwaukee, WI
| Posted: 2003-07-30 10:22 pm Permalink
I find drawknives at the flea markets for between $12 -$18... sometimes a little sharpening is in order... cheaper than I've seen them in the woodworking store...
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Chongolio
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 02, 2002
Posts: 2765
From: The Coast of Kauai
| Posted: 2003-07-31 11:01 am Permalink
Hey all, here are some prices on the chisels that BK recomended. This is out of the Lee Valley Catalog and are for the Henry Taylor brand
3/8 60 degree straight parting tool = $31.00
1/2" #11 bent gouge = $27.00
1" #7 bent gouge = $29.50
set of small palm tools (6 piece, Lee
Valley Brand) = $48.50
Draw knifes (various brands) = raged from $26.00-$40.00
So for around 180.00 bucks you can get set up with the BK reccomended tools which is still comparable to the kits you can buy that come with tools that you may not need. OF course sharpening stones and mallets are gonna add to that price.
I am still waiting for another catalog for a price comparison. I hope sombody out there finds this info useful.
And now for another question, How difficult is it to sharpen your own tools?
If you screw up are you going to thrash your tools?
Chongolio
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[ This Message was edited by: Chongolio on 2003-07-31 11:09 ]
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Monkeyman
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Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2300
From: Vista, CA
| Posted: 2003-07-31 12:07 pm Permalink
Sharpening is a good question. I think I have figured out how to properely sharpen a flat chisel but how do you sharpen a gouge?
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-07-31 8:20 pm Permalink
What was the name of that second Clint Eastwood movie with the monkey?
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