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El cheapo mortising chisel

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2K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  JoeLyddon 
#1 ·
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!
Wood Tool Flooring Floor Hand tool


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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#2 ·
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!
Wood Tool Flooring Floor Hand tool


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.
That's an idea worth looking into
 

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#3 ·
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!
Wood Tool Flooring Floor Hand tool


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!
 

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#4 ·
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!
Wood Tool Flooring Floor Hand tool


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.
Sounds & LOOKS good to me!!!

If it works and is NOT broken, why pay to have it FIXED?! LOL

Good thinking!
 

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