Tony Wilkins Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 What is the largest chisel you use on a regular basis? Or do you think it's useful to have a chisel over an inch? Here's why I ask: I see that Shannon and others recommend a larger chisel for pairing - usually in the 1 1/2 to 2 inch range. My current largest is 1 inch; I have gat size in both Blue spruce long pairing chisel and an LN socket. Bonus random question: is 4/4 thick enough for a dining table top with bread board ends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 1" is my largest but, I don't use it all that often 4/4 is thick enough depending on bracing and support Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 2" is my largest and I use it for everything I can. Would not be without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted December 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 Well thanks you two for clearing that up lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 5/4 the smallest i would go unless youre running an apron around the table top. Your work flow and methods should answer the question about the chisel size as opposed to what you see in a video. If you find yourself in a situation where you wish you had a larger chisel more than a few times, theres your answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 I have a 2", and use it! It seems my most used sizes are 1/4" and the 2", then maybe the 3/4". - The 1/4" is my favorite size for cleaning dovetails, or other end grain stuff like relieving the inside edges of tenons, zipping off the occassional little nub on table sawn tenon edge shoulders... I use less than half of it on each cut, push, slide, push, slide... This concentrates a whole bunch of pressure in a small spot, making cutting easy and accurate. - The 2" is used for very light paring when I want to keep a surface flat and true. It's also good for long grain edge breaking, in a rolling motion as you push, and mitering stringing and banding against a guide block. - The 3/4" is used for knocking off edges, chamfering the inside edges of mortises, etc... The rest get picked up if something else is dull and I'm in a hurry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 The largest chisel i have is a 1.5" chisel, and I use it frequently. For a little perspective on chisels, I decided a number of years ago that I wanted a premium set of chisels, but to justify the cost, I would only buy a subset of them, of what seemed to be the most used sizes. So that I could spread over the cost as well, I bought one or two at a time. Half way through this process I got talked into buying a complete set. Fast forward to today, I am VERY happy to have a complete set, and do not regret spending the money on them one bit. The chisels that I thought to be odd sizes have ended up being some of my most used ones. Based on my own experience, when it comes to chisels sizes, buy as many as you are able. You won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 The largest chisel i have is a 1.5" chisel, and I use it frequently. For a little perspective on chisels, I decided a number of years ago that I wanted a premium set of chisels, but to justify the cost, I would only buy a subset of them, of what seemed to be the most used sizes. So that I could spread over the cost as well, I bought one or two at a time. Half way through this process I got talked into buying a complete set. Fast forward to today, I am VERY happy to have a complete set, and do not regret spending the money on them one bit. The chisels that I thought to be odd sizes have ended up being some of my most used ones. Based on my own experience, when it comes to chisels sizes, buy as many as you are able. You won't regret it. Chisels, clamps and money... There's never enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 I have a 6" it's actualy a flat thick shovel/splitter that I shaped.....used it once to scrape and cut bark off a slab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted December 3, 2014 Report Share Posted December 3, 2014 My largest chisel I use on every project is 1/2" because that's the biggest I own. If I had 1", I'd use the hell out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 1.5" for mortising door strikes etc. If I have money I don't already have spent on something else I will get a wider. Striking a line with fewer laps or larger overlap is very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 I've got a 2" socket chisel that my grandfather gave me. It's almost like a timber framers slick. You can shave and shape freehand especially when there are large amounts of wood to waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 I have a 2" firmer chisel that I very rarely use. I do have an 1-3/4" bench chisel that I use though. Both those came from a Craigs list equivalent sale and must have been part of a deceased persons toolkit. 4/4 might be ok. Depends on length and width and whether you are using aprons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Tarbell Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 I just bought a set of blue sheffield marples from ebay last week. It came 5 chisels up to 1/2" and then a 2". I've yet to use them, but i really didn't expect the large chisel to be useful. Actually, I had tentatively planned on reselling it. After reading this thread i'm thinking that it may prove useful afterall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 The real question is why do they make chisels narrower than 1.5-2"??? Don't answer that only a joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 The real question is why do they make chisels narrower than 1.5-2"??? Don't answer that only a joke. For making scale models of 'proper sized joints' obviously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dwacker Posted December 4, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 My chisel is 1" that is about as big as it can be to fit under the finish can lid. Any wider it gets awkward removing screws. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 My chisel is 1" that is about as big as it can be to fit under the finish can lid. Any wider it gets awkward removing screws. Mental Note.... Keep PB away from my chisel collection 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 My chisel is 1" that is about as big as it can be to fit under the finish can lid. Any wider it gets awkward removing screws. You silly old bastid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 You silly old bastid! Aint she sweet. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Nice! If you send me one of yours I will customize it for you. You to can own one of those beauties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 My dad modified one of my fat max 1/4" a few years ago to 1/8" on the bench grinder at work. It looks like hell and i never used it, but still got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 This is what happened last time I used a chisel. Sawstop needs a line of chisels. Nine months later I still have some nerve damage in that finger tip. IMG_2186.jpg IMG_1936.jpg Ouch! and to PB's picture of his 'chisel' - OUCH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Aint she sweet. IMG_0158.JPG PB, is that one of those lids that has the stirrer and a spout? I saw those at Rockler and the concept seemed so excellent with just spin the handle to stir and pour easily...I didn't end up getting any even with them on sale because it felt too good to be true... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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