Wanted: Mortise Chisel

Me, too!

Seriously, the ones I’ve seen out there are consistently over $30…

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive --

Narex mortise chisels seem to be high quality, and they are only about 15$ apiece, I’m guessing that 15$ is cheaper then whatever anyone is who is willing to part with their vintage would want for it, plus shipping costs. For one mortise chisel, your probably better off just buying new right off the bat.

I’ve been lurking for mortise chisel bargains for almost a year now. Narex beats them all. Ebay buyers are just plain crazy on some of the offers. I’ve a $15 dollar limit, and just about the time it looks promising, there’s a last second rush that geometrically drives the prices beyond the horizon!
DanK

-- Dan Krager, Olney IL http://www.kragerwoodworking.weebly.com Any flattering photo of yourself will at some point elicit the comment that it looks nothing like you.

Not to change the subject but are there any psychologists out there who can explain this ebay thing where people will just go way beyond what is reasonable just to but a damn tool?

-- I was born at a very young age, as I grew up, I got older.

Going for the win I suppose, logic and intelligence don’t seem to be part of the equation.
groy, listen to Dan and Wally, they are pointing you in a good direction.

-- "With every tool obtained, there is another that is needed" DonW ( Kevin )

Three values of any item;

- What it’s worth
- What someone is willing to pay
- What it will sell for

Only rarely do all three converge on ebay.

-- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive --

I think it stems down to two main subgroups that end up bidding on ebay for these items. Take a quick look at where you fall into the yearly income range and then think of the other groups that get into hobby woodworking.

You have a lot of baby boomers and as a group (a huge group number wise) have very deep pockets. So in my fathers case you have a retired guy, bored, searching ebay with a very solid pension, 401k, and nothing to excite him but winning something on ebay.

Personally I know a lot of guys that fall into the young, college educated professional group and a few hundred bucks doesn’t really equate to much based on other expenses they routinely shell out (200 to 300 buck a week child care, 200 cable, 200 cell phone, etc….). They typically have had other expensive hobbies, salt water reef tanks and photography where items always push 100’s of dollars. It is more about if I want it I will get it sort of thing.

travis explained it very well. I completely agree.

-- Randy -- Austin, TX by way of Northwest (Woodville), OH

Travis, I fall into the old guy group and there is still no way in hell I’m going to get pushed into bidding more than I think something is worth. I’ve dropped a half dozen items in the past week or two because I thought the price was nuts. I have a budget and I just don’t exceed it. These stupid prices are making much harder for folks to get started in the hobby.

-- "With every tool obtained, there is another that is needed" DonW ( Kevin )

I completely agree. That’s why I figured it worth asking here instead of overpaying on eBay. I think I’ll go with the narex chisel. (Thanks Wally) can anyone recommend a good size to start with for small/medium projects?

Gory, I have the same question and since I rarely work with thicker than 3/4 and 4/4 Material and I see no reason to buy a set I have been led to believe that your mortises should be 1/3rd the thickness then I’d say either a 1/4 0r 3/8 chisel would be correct. But I’ll wait and see what the real woodworkers answer you (and me).

-- Russell Pitner Hixson, TN 37343 [email protected]

Groy – I have a 1/4” and a 1/2” Narex mortise chisels and they are all I have needed so far. So far they have stood up to some serious punding and I have no complaints. If you are doing small to medium you could probably get away with just the 1/4” but they are cheap enough to get both and not break the bank.

-- Eric - "I'm getting proficient with these hand jobbers. - BigRedKnothead"

3/8” is good and suitable for a lot of furniture work and will
allow you to make 3/4” and thicker frames.

I usually mortise closer to half the material thickness, but
that is a personal preference. Really a lot of a tenon’s strength
comes from the fit at the shoulder, which is why coped
joints and biscuits are actually pretty strong despite the
shallow penetration of the “tenon”.

I got two brand new big Hircsh chisels id like to get off my plate…1/4” and 1/2”..