doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Question about chisels

I realize this is probably OT but there seems to be a collection of above average skills and knowledge here if the photos I've seen indicate anything.

I am looking for recommendations for a set of stock making chisels which are a cut above the Home Depot versions. I will not be making anything from a plank but I do a little whittling on machine inletted stocks now and then. I'd like to pick up a set which has most of what would be needed and which will last me and serve my purposes. If I have overlooked anything pertinent, please ask away and I can clarify.

Thank you,
Hoot

I've found the best chisels are often cheaper than poor ones if you get them second hand. E-bay is a good place to look. You'll find complete sets and indiviual tools. Early Buck Brothers are very good for American chisels. Older English ones are almost universally good. Marples, Addis, Adams, and Herring are some English makers to watch for. Swiss Phiel ( sp?) are also good. I've not had much luck with German chisels.

You might look for tools that can help create curves and get into different tight spots. Maybe look at pictures to familiarize because when some of these things show up used, the seller usually doesn't know the name of it or what it can be used for. Also look at files and scrapers.

I'd look at garage sales on the weekends, but you probably have to look through stuff piled in old cans and boxes. Light surface rust can easily be cleaned off. I think, don't over look how you're going to sharpen whatever you end up with.

Ebay is the way to go and running a want ad for old woodworking tools has worked well for me also. I've amassed a couple hundred different chisels of many makers with few complete sets at a good price compared to buying new.If you are handy you can buy chisels needing new handles or some other work and save even more.I like Buck Brothers,Witherby and the older Stanley chisels a lot

A bit different perhaps but I've made a few chisels out of screw drivers. I have a nice set and just hate to mess them up when I need something a bit odd, so a bit of grinding & honing and I have a custom chisel. FWIW --- John

I have some nice store bought chisels but I also tend to use shop made ones.

Thank you all. Very useful information.

Cheers,
Hoot

For general cabinetmaking and basic stock making, I rely on a hodgepodge of Sorby and Marples paring chisels. For inletting and installing design details on stuff, I have two different sets of Craftmaster carving chisels, and a bunch of custom gouges I made out of O-1 tool steel by a mix of forging and grinding to shape. Sometimes an application crops up that just can't be satisfied by a store-bought chisel and one is forced to make it himself. There were occasions when I spent more time making the tool than I spent using it afterward. (A common affliction among those of us who brook no half-assed measures. )