After using a plunge router to cut some largish mortises, I proceeded to patiently chop out the round corners with my bevel edge chisels. No matter how firmly I held the chisel it consistently twisted away from the mortise wall, digging deeper into the corners, making it tough to keep the corners nice and square.
The Revelation: this is why “mortise” chisels have no bevel! Yes? No?
Some time ago, a very thoughtful friend gave me a gift of a set of old Buck Brother’s mortise chisels. They are a little beat up and mostly have no handles but are perfectly restorable. I have not made any handles for the lack of a lathe. (Yes, I know I could whittle them.) As I don’t often need a lathe I am thinking about an attachment I saw for turning on a drill. Seems as though one might be suitable for occasional light use on small items such as this. I saw one (the brand name escapes me) that has a table that attaches to the DP table, a vertical tool rest, and a center for the lower end of the work piece.
The Question: are these any good? Any brand names? Or is this a good excuse (as if I really need one)to buy a small lathe?
Thank you, JohnD
Replies
John,
I have three antique mortise chisels, one French, and two English. The handles on all three are oval in section, rather than turned. I imagine that this might be to prevent turning in the hand while one uses them.
Modern ones seem to have turned handles, which are probably easier to make. Your call.
Unless you have some expierence turning ,trying to turn vertically is a waste of time. Try this method for a couple of turned handles.Square your stock and cut to length.Then bore a hole for a lag screw or hanger bolt. The hole will be centered into the stock and act as a screw chuck.If you use a lag screw , cut the head off so it will fit in the drill chuck.
Make two L shaped poppets ( headstock and tailstock ).The headstock has to be devised to hold an electric drill.The tailstock poppet justs needs a 16d nail for a tail center, or you could use a lagscrew if you grind the threads off the end.Clamp or fasten to a board or bench. You need a tool rest also. Another L shape, make the top of the rest about 1/4" lower than the centerline of the stock.Clamp the rest about 1/4" from the stock, turn by hand to make sure stock doesn't hit the rest.
You now have an economical turning machine. You can do the entire piece with a 3/8" or 1/2" spindle gouge.
mike
Mike, I do have some experiance turning though it was many years ago. Thank you for the suggestions, I think I will ponder the idea of a "midi" lathe for a while. JohnD
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