walidantar Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 about chisels, if i have 1/4" 1/2" & 1", are 3/8" & 3/4" needed? and for what 2" is used - is it worth it to get it a premium one or it's rarely used .. and with respect to dado's or grooves, what is the most common width in cabinet joinery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 There is going to be a bunch of answers for these two questions. What it boils down to, is what you need in your work flow. I have a bunch of tools that don't get used on every construct, but I'm glad I have them when I need them . The most common dado width used is the one you need at the moment.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Ragatz Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 I work mostly with power tools, but use hand tools to refine/clean-up what the power tools have done and, sometimes, to do jobs my power tools can't do. I don't own any "premium" chisels - my basic set are 21st century-vintage Stanley Sweetheart bench chisels - 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1". For what I do, I'm not sure premium chisels make sense - I have the idea that they are for folks who use their chisels all day, every day. I have added, as needed, some individual chisels - mostly Narex. There is a 3/8" mortising chisel, a 1/2" dovetail chisel, and 1/4" and 1" cranked neck chisels. For my work, I've never seen a need for a chisel wider than 1". Regarding dadoes - I work mostly with 3/4" stock (hence, the 3/8" mortising chisel), so 3/4" dadoes are common. In drawers, I usually use 1/4" plywood bottoms, so 1/4" dadoes are also common. As @RichardA said, what you need depends on what work you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 1 hour ago, RichardA said: There is going to be a bunch of answers for these two questions. What it boils down to, is what you need in your work flow. I have a bunch of tools that don't get used on every construct, but I'm glad I have them when I need them . The most common dado width used is the one you need at the moment.. Ding, ding, ding. Agreed. Like router bits, there are a few basic chisels and then dozens of "other" chisels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walidantar Posted April 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 thanks you so much, but need to ask, for a 3/4" dado is it necessary for a 3/4" chisel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardA Posted April 10, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 No, but it wouldn't hurt. You're better off with a router plane. But now your talking Mo money. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walidantar Posted April 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 thanks dear 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 My best advice is to use what you have and when you reach a point in a project where you need something different buy it. I have spent $$$$ buying tools that don't get used now I buy a tool when I need it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walidantar Posted April 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 thanks pkinneb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 4 hours ago, walidantar said: thanks dear Who are you calling "dear"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 And don't call me Shirley ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chet Posted April 10, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 I will just add this little rid bit. All my chisels are metric. the reason I went with metric chisels is that the closest imperial size is just a bit bigger. Just a small sample 6 mm is just a hair smaller then 1/4 inch, 12 mm is hair smaller then 1/2 inch, 18 mm is a hair smaller then 3/4 inch. So If I use my 6mm chisel in a 1/4 slot or mortise or dado to do some cleanup or sizing I am not marring or inadvertently making the area I am working on bigger just by working my chisel in to that area that need clean up. Just a little something to think about next time you add to you chisel collection. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 +1 on the metric chisels. and +1 on a router plane if you are going to cut a lot of dados with hand tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 I have too many sizes that I have collected over the years, but when I replaced my everyday chisels with premium chisels, I got 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch chisels. I use the 1/4 and 3/8's on dovetails, the 1/2, and 3/4 for general paring and the 1 inch for flushing things to the surface. I probably use my 1/2" more than any other. The 1/8" chisel is for nitpicky cleanup tasks. These chisels handle 90% of my woodworking tasks. the On top of those, I have a couple of skew chisels, a couple of Japanese chisels for fine dovetailing, a fishtail chisel, a set of mortice chisels.... Having Tool Acquisition Syndrome does not make this an easy write.... Hi, I'm Robby and I am a tool addict It doesn't help that Lie-Nielsen has there tool event less than two miles from house every February. I have actually started giving some away to friends that are starting out on their woodworking journey. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 I have two sets of the same 4 chisels, both a local tool sellers version. I keep one in the shop and one in the basement where I tend to do some work when it's too cold. They have .25 .5 .75 and 1" in the set and I haven't really found I need anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 There are two basic rules of operation for a chisel you need. The one you need is the one you don't have, or you have so many that you know you have one that size, but can't find it. I have two toolboxes full of chisels. Chisel 1 has at least 6 rolls of chisels in it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 Just now, Tom King said: There are two basic rules of operation for a chisel you need. The one you need is the one you don't have, or you have so many that you know you have one that size, but can't find it. I have two toolboxes full of chisels. Chisel 1 has at least 6 rolls of chisels in it. 100% true. The ancillary rule is that if you find the one you need, it'll be the one your wife, girlfriend, neighbor or other fiend used to open a paint can thus needing a total resharpening. (And, no, I did not misspell "friend.") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pkinneb Posted April 10, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 1 minute ago, Byrdie said: 100% true. The ancillary rule is that if you find the one you need, it'll be the one your wife, girlfriend, neighbor or other fiend used to open a paint can thus needing a total resharpening. (And, no, I did not misspell "friend.") ...and this is why my shop is locked and has a camera system LOL 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 In a real low-budget situation, I'd start with a 1/4 or metric equivalent "bench" chisel. You can always make a bigger hole with a smaller chisel, but it doesn't work the other way around. I prefer longer irons, because I tend to pare more than pound. Second, I would invest in a quality 3/8 mortising chisel. Quality, because you WILL pound the crap out of it. MY Robert Sorby was a bit pricey, but it takes a beating and retains an edge like you wouldn't believe. Last, a 1" chisel, this one really is for paring, so long iron, or even a crank-neck, is worth considering. Also, keep in mind that seldom-used sizes can be made from old chisels that are a bit wider. A bench top belt sander is great for taking material off the sides without overheating too quickly. Hit the flea markets and garage sales for beaters that you can customize. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 3 hours ago, Robby W said: Hi, I'm Robby and I am a tool addict Hi Robby. Are there cookies and coffee after this meeting. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 I bought the Narex set, up to 2", and find that it makes life much easier. I'm lazy/bad about sharpening, so I find that having a whole bunch of sharp chisels, which a full set allows me to have, lets me keep working. When I run out of sharp ones, then I can dedicate a hour or so to sharpening the whole set. I have also found the big ones (1 1/2" and 2") to be surprising useful for paring. Overall, Narex is reasonably affordable and I don't every see myself buying a really premium set, and it really helps my workflow. Having said that, I have certainly found myself in situations where I would have liked to have some of the more specialized chisesl (mortise, fishtail, etc), so I'll likely start buying those individually as needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walidantar Posted April 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 8 hours ago, RichardA said: Who are you calling "dear"? meaning is like sir, it's not my language so often i get in words that gets misunderstood 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walidantar Posted April 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 59 minutes ago, Art said: I bought the Narex set, up to 2", and find that it makes life much easier. I'm lazy/bad about sharpening, so I find that having a whole bunch of sharp chisels, which a full set allows me to have, lets me keep working. When I run out of sharp ones, then I can dedicate a hour or so to sharpening the whole set. I have also found the big ones (1 1/2" and 2") to be surprising useful for paring. Overall, Narex is reasonably affordable and I don't every see myself buying a really premium set, and it really helps my workflow. Having said that, I have certainly found myself in situations where I would have liked to have some of the more specialized chisesl (mortise, fishtail, etc), so I'll likely start buying those individually as needed. what can you par with wide chisels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 25 minutes ago, walidantar said: meaning is like sir, it's not my language so often i get in words that gets misunderstood He ain’t bitching, it’s just the nicest thing anyone has ever said to him! You’re good! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 26 minutes ago, walidantar said: what can you par with wide chisels? Tenon cheeks, for one. rabbets, too. Anything done with a plane can be done with a chisel, although with less consistency. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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