From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:48:08 -0500
Subject: [Puptcrit] TIP: Easy Micro Chisels


 I asked a lot of technical questions recently (woodworking), so I'm happy 
to share a tip with you this time:


Success!
After successfully sharpening my chisels and u-gouges (finally!),
I found a way to turn a cheap electronics screwdriver (damaged) into a mini 
chisel.
I sanded it down, buffed it, and stropped it, and now I have a micro chisel 
that works very well!

It works great for carving wood, but probably for other materials. I'll 
probably use mine for oil-based clay models some times when I need more 
detail and sharper edge.



Here's what I did:

1-I laid a piece of 150 grit sandpaper on a flat surface.
2-I rubbed the tool at the chosen angle, pushing the blade forward and not 
applying pressure while stepping back, to start again with pushing forward. 
Did it on both sides, same angle, until my chisel shape was precise and 
smooth.
3-I repeated this step on a piece of 320 grit wetproof sandpaper, onto which 
I sprayed some water. Then I wiped the blade clean.
4-I "stropped" the blade on a piece of new leather, on the smooth side. Just 
like stropping a butcher's knife, the blade is stroked on both sides, at the 
same angle as the bevel, but this time the material is not pushing against 
the edge, it smooths it.
Repeat until mirror-smooth.

That's it!
It cuts cheap construction grade pine easily, and cuts even better on 
basswood. I didn't even need to use a mallet.  Great for detail work!

I might add tape to the handle, or replace it completely with one made of 
wood, to increase comfort for longer work periods.

I will probably convert the leftover screwdrivers into other shapes of 
chisels, since I already have a better screwdriver set.   I'm thinking of 
making a bull-nose, and maybe a u-gouge, if I can figure out how to make the 
inner groove. Maybe a file, or a cut-off wheel on the rotary tool.


Here I cite two sharpening websites that gave me the missing info. They 
provided me with clear enough explanations with drawings, (and interesting 
History) to allow me to find my own alternative materials.
http://www.antiquetools.org/sharp/index.html

I was very impressed with the "gouge honing board", something I had not seen 
anywhere else before.
I made one, and it was the final step that made my chisels and gouges really 
cut.
Simple and brilliant to hone gouges, keeps them sharp longer between actual 
sharpening.
http://www.carvingpatterns.com/sharpening-2.htm



For the curious: BACKGROUND
I knew there was a way to make my own detail chisels with materials I had at 
hand!

I couldn't find the info I wanted online, but while studying sharpening 
methods on videos online and on a  website (link below), I was able to 
finally get a mirror-shiny-sharp edge on my 2 chisels and 2 u-gouges!
They all work wonderfully now, even though I had previously ruined the edge 
on one of them!

And I didn't even have half the materials they recommended!

After that success, I had the idea of trying to sharpen an extra carving 
tool I had lying around.
It worked! I even honed my Leatherman multi-tool's knife!

I couldn't stop at that, I just had to see what else I could sharpen!
So I looked at my "bits and blades" drawer, maybe I could customize 
something.
I had a crooked mini screwdriver, from an incomplete electronic screwdriver 
set.
I sanded it down, buffed it, and stropped it, and now I have a micro chisel 
that works very well!

After a few years of knowing about it, I think I'm ready to start honing my 
craft knife blades to make them last longer (X-acto, Excel, Olfa). My father 
does that at work, using a felt buffing wheel and some red polishing 
compound, for a few seconds on each side of the blade. He rarely buys 
blades.
I tried a few times with the felt buffing wheel on my Dremel, but it never 
worked.
The buffing wheel for my bench grinder will be mine soon, so no worries.



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