Cheap $2 prying tool from bargain bin at hardware store into mortising chisel
I needed a mortising chisel, but got sticker shock when pricing them. Old 'pigsticker' things on e-bay were going for $30 or so not including shipping, and new mortising chisels were nearly $50! I had a $2 bargain bin pry bar from the hardware store with a square shank. I cut off the business end at an angle. A bit of grinding, and few strokes on a fairly course stone and viola!
I was pleasantly surprised on how serviceable the steel is. I don't think the steel would be any good for a fine paring chisel but seems to work fine here. I've also abused the handle pretty well, pounding it with an iron hammer. so far no problems.
Cheap $2 prying tool from bargain bin at hardware store into mortising chisel
I needed a mortising chisel, but got sticker shock when pricing them. Old 'pigsticker' things on e-bay were going for $30 or so not including shipping, and new mortising chisels were nearly $50! I had a $2 bargain bin pry bar from the hardware store with a square shank. I cut off the business end at an angle. A bit of grinding, and few strokes on a fairly course stone and viola!
I was pleasantly surprised on how serviceable the steel is. I don't think the steel would be any good for a fine paring chisel but seems to work fine here. I've also abused the handle pretty well, pounding it with an iron hammer. so far no problems.
Cheap $2 prying tool from bargain bin at hardware store into mortising chisel
I needed a mortising chisel, but got sticker shock when pricing them. Old 'pigsticker' things on e-bay were going for $30 or so not including shipping, and new mortising chisels were nearly $50! I had a $2 bargain bin pry bar from the hardware store with a square shank. I cut off the business end at an angle. A bit of grinding, and few strokes on a fairly course stone and viola!
I was pleasantly surprised on how serviceable the steel is. I don't think the steel would be any good for a fine paring chisel but seems to work fine here. I've also abused the handle pretty well, pounding it with an iron hammer. so far no problems.
Great idea Ted. I have not wanted to invest in mortise chisels either because of the high prices. I use my bench chisels for mortising, but only in fir or pine where they work well. We don't have pry bars like yours in Norway, but I will keep my eye out for something similar, maybe from an auto supply store. Thanks for posting!
Cheap $2 prying tool from bargain bin at hardware store into mortising chisel
I needed a mortising chisel, but got sticker shock when pricing them. Old 'pigsticker' things on e-bay were going for $30 or so not including shipping, and new mortising chisels were nearly $50! I had a $2 bargain bin pry bar from the hardware store with a square shank. I cut off the business end at an angle. A bit of grinding, and few strokes on a fairly course stone and viola!
I was pleasantly surprised on how serviceable the steel is. I don't think the steel would be any good for a fine paring chisel but seems to work fine here. I've also abused the handle pretty well, pounding it with an iron hammer. so far no problems.
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