Buying vintage chisels online: a complete guide.
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- Is it possible to find a quality chisel online? Let's look at the best tricks and tips.
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(My favorite affordable new chisels.)
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(I use these to make the DIY specialty planes, but I also like them for general work.)
Sharpening
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I think of you as the Alton Brown of woodworking. Your videos feel like an episode of Good Eats. I’m loving this channel. Gives you a direction to go. Instead of just flailing around buying this, that and the other tool that you probably won’t ever need. Thank you.
LOL! My wife overheard this video. She said "Who's that? He sounds like Alton Brown."
No bigger compliment around my house!
Tonight 200,000 people are flooding ebay with chisel searches.
I’ve got 100’s to list! Fun night listing 👍👍
I was just thinking the same thing. Haha
But not mortise chisels....Rex is after a few of those himself so the advice is “don’t buy!” 🤪🤪
Now we have to wait a few months.....
That damm sellers effect😅😂
IMO you should do a video on how to scavenge old furniture for building a decent scrap pile in the shop. What to look for, what to avoid, and the best ways to turn it into useful scrap for your next project. You could include stuff like hardware vs softwood, which furniture items are more likely to be of no use and which parts are always useful. Ever since that video where you said you skinned a leather chair like a buffalo for leather for strops I've been wondering what old furniture is worth turning into waiting scrap... and maybe a followup video on how to create a scrap pile that won't get thrown out by your SO!
David Oakes so don’t fucking do it
100 year old tables aren't common in my neck of the woods. My question is purely in the interest of getting decent wood for free. There are plenty of times where I see furniture on the side of the road with busted legs or similar states of disrepair and people are just throwing them away b/c they don't want the furniture anymore. Rex talks about (in scattered videos) using discarded furniture in different projects. I am curious to see if there is a method to his madness. (When I said "in the shop", I meant 'my workshop' not 'store'.)
what I really want to see is more furniture forensics! The video you made on that table was my favorite from you by far.
agreed! really fascinating
YES!!!
More!
Do like hammers, mallets, clamps, go through all your tools we really enjoy learning this stuff and you really saved me time!!!
ME TOO- Tank to Chest - I AGREE WITH HIM DO HAMMERS AND ALL YOUR TOOLS!!!
Old bucks and pextos are PHENOMENAL. I see them all the time for around a buck or two a chisel.
Just don't get sucked into buying 5 bucks for a tenner ;)
Saws!
Saws, saws, Saws!!
SAWS!!!
did I mention saws?
Every time Rex makes a new video, the amount of used tools for sale on the market plummets.
Your visual teaching style is unparalleled. Interesting, accessible & thorough...with a bit of you thrown in. So glad we have you in OUR community spending oodles of time producing woodworking-related material!
Dammit Rex! I haven't finished collecting all the socket chisels I wanted...you are going to cause a Paul Sellers price spike on these.
Seriously, great topic, well covered.
Back to Ebay to check on my bids.
Prices spikes are real, and the fallowing scarcity afterwards. There was a point in time, where brace and bits common as dirt. This one place had a brace and bit nail on the wall outside, as decoration. I went back, and they had yank it down, and sold it.
Not just Paul Sellers. Christopher Schwartz had dark effects on my favorite Bailey type 11. I like them because they are easier to adjust than other Bailey types, and they were dead cheap until Mr. Schwartz called them out as a bargain.
@@Kikilang60 yeah, used to find braces for $5 and the bits for $1 to $2 a piece or 10 for $5 at every yard sale, flea market and pawn shop around me.
Now? I haven't seen either in a pawn shop in years and when you do come across either at a flea or yard sale these days they're 5X that amount or more.
I have only recently started tool restorations as a hobby (unemployed because of the pandemic) and started out just making up how to go about restoring things. The first thing I restored back in March, was and old rusted Boston pencil sharpener that was in my basement. I made a lot of mistakes and it didn't turn out that great, but it was fun. Since then, I have gotten a littler bit better, and watching this video helped me realize that, because I restored a couple chisel. I was making it up as a went along, but went through the same steps you did (although I did use your video to figure out how to sharpen it), and they are part of my inventory of tools that I use regularly. Keep up the good work, and keep sharing your knowledge. Thanks.
Glad to help!
Just curious... rotating cutter assemblies or rotating "razor blades" inside that pencil sharpener???
I've restored both... Discovered on a lot of the old "razor blade" (cheap) versions, an "injector razor" type blade was almost exactly the same thing...
The rotating cutters (look sort of like the spiral cutter assemblies from a power planer) can be a B**** to sharpen... SO I'm sort of wondering what you attempted???
Again... just curious... ;o)
I love the terminology of wood turning tools & equipment... such as 'jam chuck'. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? “Another jam chuck, vicar? They're home made”. The round nose scraper got my grandson wondering... particularly as I have a rather round nose. He thought I'd scraped it into that shape. My flat bottom scraper positively traumatised the poor little bugger. The bowl gouge is normally pretty self-explanatory... a gouge for hollowing out bowls. I managed to get one surprisingly cheap even for Ebay, which I'm sure was down to the way it was described. I don't know if it was autocorrect or just sloppy spelling but I was the only bidder for the “used half-inch bowel gouge”. It seems that the bowel gouge market has bottomed out. The “used” probably didn't help much either. Still, one man's used bowel gouge is another man's bargain.
Cue vintage socket chisel prices tripling overnight!
Great video
Thanks for driving the price of good used chisels through the roof Rex. LOL. Great video, as always.
Thanks for this extremely practical video, Rex! I'm an eBay warrior myself; nothing beats the rush of an awesome auction - showing up in the right place at the right time and walking off with a bargain. I always feel sorry for the seller... but hey, LOOK WHAT I SCORED!!
Firstly, Rex thank you for being a voice of reason in what can be a very expensive hobby. As the love of hobby wood working grew for me I quickly became discouraged that to build simple furniture, a few 400 dollar planes and saws made it impractical. Then I watched a few you tube channels, yours in particular, and learned how to restore planes, saws etc. This process of restoration increased my understanding of the tool and improved my wood working. Please keep up the great work of making wood working affordable and possible for people without unlimited money to spend on tools. Thank you
Gee thanks buddy! Now the opening bids on old vintage chisels have quadrupled! LOL
Enjoyed the video...always learn something.
I bought a stanley 750 socket chisel 1 1/4 for $1.50 and a Bailey no 4 for $3 at a garage sale, I was very happy! I always watch your videos!
The black patina on the older chisels is a type of rust that causes the bluing effect and actually helps protect the steel.
This is the BEST woodworking channel. I love the get to the point and thorough style. Cheers mate!
Saws Specifically panel type saws, and sharpening equipment (AKA Saw Set). Your previously described Saw vice is great.
You got this video just right. Crucial points for me were showing how to detect quality chisels, which damages are fixable/acceptable and the actual restoration. Price expectations are a nice bonus. Wrapping all this in a video with excellent flow makes it even better. You're doing great! I'm off to shop chisels, mate.
YES - more tips, more videos, every tools!
Thank you Rex.
Cheers 🍻
Rex, the best video yet! Please do more videos like this. Your knowledge is invaluable!
Excellent, Rex! Please do the exact same kind of video on buying hand planes online.
And this is the video series I was waiting for, excellent information to help me buy the tools I really need. My wife is going to hate it!!
I’d love to see you do a video on router planes, particularly the larger version.
Do some more collaborations with James Wright
Vintage Back saws next, please.
Yes please more buying advice thanks Rex!
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
Ok, the engineer joins the chat. I suspect the different patina on older chisels indicates slightly different metallurgy and heat treatment. I will guess the older chisels were forged from carbon steel and were probably tempered for a lengthier period of time at a lower temperature. This would have been more economical in a time where achieving greater annealing temperatures would have been more expensive. The black patina will be exposed martensite and some magnetite.
The newer chisels will probably have additional alloy materials, perhaps magnesium or molybdenum, and would probably be tempered more quickly at greater temperatures.
Your experience with the newer chisels would be explained by the different crystal structure of the metal and how that reacts when the oxidation process occurs. Magnetite will not increase in volume much from the raw iron, and is in fact preferentially selected as the oxidation layer when 'bluing' steel for that reason. On the other hand, with other metals in the mix the oxidation chemistry is not as easy to predict, and it may result in localized pockets of expansion due to corrosion.
Again, I'm making an educated guess here.
14:52 So bets on when the Krueger Effect is going to kick in and the price on these brands skyrockets? ;-)
I doubt it!
@@RexKrueger for the next week at least
@@RexKrueger Don't underestimate yourself! 43 minutes after this video previewed, it has 235 likes. All you need to do is generate 2 additional bidders on a chisel and the price should increase significantly (unless none are willing to pay even $1 more.)
Honestly there is billions of this, specially Union, pexto etc, I’ve got 100+ that I need to list, but as all eBay sellers, I’m too lazy to list lol
@@RexKrueger You shouldn't. Your site is a really good site for all of us amateurs, part timers, DIYers getting serious, and first timers.
Was recently gifted a full set of E A Berg shark brand chisels, was delighted to research and find out how highly regarded they are.
Now the price of vintage chisels will go sky high - Rex video effect :). I do keep waiting for the t-shirt with the quote about not having some chisels and scrap wood.
Cheers!
I recently bought (and restored) a set of James Swan augers that were still in their original box. They were in surprisingly good condition and I got the whole set for $40 at an antique store.
The box even had Stanley hinges on it with the SW heart logo.
I can fix that Wetherby... I’ve been doing some forge work, and have had success on several with bugled sockets. Remember, the socket is usually not hardened.
Yeah, I was thinking it might be fixable in the forge, though if you don't upset it back into shape, you could end up with a big cold shut all the way around.
Good timing as I’m searching for chisels the last week or so. As with most items on eBay though it takes a lot of patience. The usual “cast of characters” there often drive the prices way up.
As a Canadian, I had to chuckle a bit when you said, "cold weather is coming" considering it was -25° in mid-October already.
It’s the Midwest or southern Canada
Rex. I found testing knives, chisels, plane blades were most effective when done on a soft piece of pine. If the cut line is clean and the pine has a slight sheen . Your edge is sharp
More restorations please. More more more more
Hey, just wanted to say that the audio on your video is really enjoyable to listen to. Some videos have compression way up and it just gives me a headache.
In a month from now... VINTAGE WOOD BURNING KITS ARE THE HOT EBAY ITEM FOR CHRISTMAS!
Definitely would love to see a video about hand planes, in the same vein as the chisel vid above. Great stuff.
+1 for this!
+2 including a few specialty planes like tongue & groove and circular palnes.
Cool. I recently picked up a never-used six piece set of vintage Japanese Nomi chisels for $60 on ebay. Plus shipping. From Japan. So, more like $80 total. That's still only $13 per chisel, and they're awesome.
Love this. Thanks Rex!
Awesome video and topic! Thanks Rex
Thanks Rex, this was really helpful.
I have just restored a 6mm chisel that was belong to my grandfather ( he was a carpenter), i had it for years and i have not used it for chiseling. after reading a Paul sellers vlog i have decided to revive the chisel and without any experience i restored it: i had to make a new handle so i carved it with my Mora carving knife and a chisel, i have cleaned it from the rust and i gave it a new sharp edge ( can cut hair). I want to thank you because it's not that i am learning from you a lot, because of your videos im using more hand tools and I'm enjoying woodworking much more!! I have build your English jointer bench and it is the most important tool that i have ( more than my table saw) at my arsenal
Thank you, please do more of these. I'm learning so MUCH!!!
Thanks for a another great and informative video Rex.
Thank you Rex, always learn a lot from you.
It's like the internet was listening! I've been thinking to buy a couple of new chisels for a week or so now, mostly looking at a range of new products, then I thought - I wonder if Rex has any advice on this? Well, yes. Yes you do.
In case all the vintage chisels across Europe and the US have been snatch up already, I'll defo look into the Narex brand.
My father used to have only firmer chisels. In his days, the carpenters in our area used those only for splitting and removing big pieces of wood. In some cases... even for splitting logs, but that was rare. Mostly when there was a lot of stock removal to be made, instead of taking small shavings, a firmer chisel would be placed in a the most effective spot (while reading the grain to make sure the split won't mess the work piece up) and hit with a big hammer. It was actually quite time saving... albeit a bit risky.
I love this series Rex! Please do more tools! Hand planes of course... but even glue and saws and mallets and hammers and so on :)
My Grandad was a carpenter and builder. By the time he was passing on his trade to his grand kids, his firmer chisels had been sharpened to the length of butt chisels. I actually thought that was how long chisels were supposed to be, and wondered why the chisels at school were so long!
I don't remember him ever using anything other than these firmer chisels. Indeed, he never used the word "firmer," he just called them chisels. I didn't hear the word till I read it on the internet.
@@Mikey__R Same here... I just now realized from Rex while watching the video that they were the "firmer" ones :)
right on Rex, very informative video. appreciate it
@RexKrueger Thank you my brother! I like your philosophy and practical manner regarding vintage chisels and tools. I work in a vintage tool store and love restoring these grand old ladies to their original glory. Believe me, when a tool comes in the door you would not believe the condition some are in. I have restored numerous Witherby, Stanley and Buck tools. Many of them as I like to say have had a "tough life". For the most part if not all have seen a course grinding wheel in their past, ouch! Sure for the real beat up ones the only remedy to their problem(s) is a grinding wheel. I have designed and built numerous fixtures and jigs to let me control remaking bevels and cleaning up sockets and tangs. I personally like to use a large flat bed belt sander to reform the bevels. I find the flatness of the bed is better, for me at least, than a wheel. And, I can adjust the jigs to make the bevel "factory" again. I personally don't like the curve the wheel puts on the bevel, but that's me! For me personally, I like using a large, 12x12, piece of float glass or thick smooth floor tile for sharpening and honing. Numerous grades of silicon carbide wet/dry paper, a leather strop board a custom jig and the edges are restored, my customers say better than factory. I like using wet/dry because I dislike maintaining stones and I have a ready source for the papers, the store takes in huge quantities. The handles are another story. Many come in without one, or they are split. Fortunately I have a large selection on hand and usually can find a replacement. If not I make one from hardwood and install it on the tool. Keep up your great work and spreading the word of vintage tools. Remember, craftsmen and women used these tools to create thing we still use to this day. Be well and safe peace to you and yours.
Very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the knowledge, Rex !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@16:25; I love me them Talenti containers! Best part is they are much cheaper than similar jars in the hardware store, and they even come with a FREE PINT OF GELATO IN THEM!
Pretty dang useful. Thanks
Excellent presentation. More please
Excited to see this, I've started looking for a specific tool on ebay yesterday, so the timing is impeccable!
I have most of a set of old Greenlee socket chisels that belonged to my grandfather, probably bought in the 1930's. The blades are quite long, I'm guessing about 9 inches including the socket. They aren't pretty anymore due to a lot of use, and have sort of tiny handles, but they take and hold a good edge. I retired them and now use a set of the cheapest Narex ones, which are very good IMO.
An interesting and informative video. Good advice, as always. Thank you!
Rex, enjoyed this video very much and would more like this.
The patina is a sign of high carbon content, frequently with low chromium, which was THE way to make good steel prior to y2k. Also, of note: powered grinding is fine for reshaping, but even if the steel never gets noticeably hot, the very pinnacle of the edge can heat up and cool down much faster than the thicker area, and the very edge therefore tempers (ie gets softer), reducing the hardness and limiting the life of the edge. As said, fine for reshaping, but you will likely notice that if you hand sharpen the chisel, after 2 or 3 sharpens you'll move past the tempered steel and the edges will begin to last longer. Love the videos, they've taught me more than just about anything else on this site about woodworking.
You don't need mortise chisels to chop a mortise. Bevel edge chisels work just fine, as long as you don't try to pry with them.
Cody P agreed I can’t remember ever needing one except making a my bench only time warred mortis
Craftsman chisels were/are plated, when cleaned up or polished you will reveal a copper "Strike" plate beneath the nickel or chrome plating.
Love this video!
Thanks for the tips man! Been loving your videos so far. Been watching lots of yours while I sit on my ultra-low roman-inspired bench I made out of scraps. Keeping me entertained while I break a many sweats!
Another great video.
For rust removal, I find a wire cup in a drill press works better. (If you have a drill press.) It is more open as the wires are not so close to the motor, and your don't have to worry about the wires flying off and hitting you in the face. Also, they are a little less expensive.
Fantastic tips, Rex! Thanks a lot! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
I've collected a few antique firearms, and your description of the metal is right on. There is a difference in the look of the steel, and it's this specific type of grey, or dark grey, to blackish. Nothing better.
Thanks for the tips!
Darker the higher the carbon !
This is great perspective. Was just chisels shopping for new ones but might have a go at vintage now. I definitely like my old plane more than the new ones. Also satisfying to give an old tool new life
The Worth chisel looks like my Pexto chisels. Pexto chisels are amazing. Love the video.
Crap everyone if going to buy up all the Pextos. Damn you Rex. I mean Pextos are horrible.
I’ve been able to find several bit braces and hand planes at estate sales and consignment auctions. Waiting for the next ones to pick up some chisels and hand saws.
Thank you for an excellent and informative video.
I'm at the watching video stage of just getting started in woodworking, so this is just what I need.
I don't use socket chisels, and the chisels I make are all tang/ferrule construction.
But the super glue idea is a good one. I will definitely steal that if I ever aquire socket chisels
Great video.
An online buying guide for vintage hand planes would be great.
Who's surprised Rex didn't say "screw it... here's a piece of bar stock; let's make our own."
A decent chisel is actually one of the first projects most mentors in a smithy expect out of students/apprentices as a standard. They're REALLY easy to make for yourself... AND there's lots of variation for "attachment" to handles... Some of my first personal chisels were handmade, and just solid metal... because I was lazy and said "screw it"... ;o)
Corner chisels ( timber framing ) are for building timber houses , and log
Very well done I have been restoring and selling vintage hand tools for years
There are other old brands that are excellent quality if you can find them. I have two old Marples and Son chisels. One these my dad was given by my grandfather, who either was given, bought or stole it from someone else. My dad gave it to me. It is now well over 100 years old and is my favorite 3/4 inch chisel. The design is atypical for old Marples. The common forms are tanged. But this is socketed like the common modern forms. I found a half-inch mate on ebay for a decent price. It required essentially no restoration, except some work on the bevel that had somehow been heated until brittle. That required a little grinder work. As regards tools for restoration, a discussion of restoring braces and sharpening bits might be really interesting for many.
I’m SO glad this released! I’m planning on making a modern end table and want to chisel a mortise for a supporting piece. My chisels are cheap and dull, however. I only have three sizes as well. Thank you SO much!
thank you Rex
Thank you for this! I live in an area where old tools like this just aren't available locally. And even flea markets are rare.
My best auction score so far: a box full of old wooden planes. Most of them just for decoration bit it had two stanley no4 planes in it. Winning price: 15 bucks.
Mr. Kruger!
Back in February I snagged a great deal in an antique store on a 1 1/2 inch socket chisel. It was in immaculate condition, having the original handle and absolutely no mushrooming on the socket. I got it for under $6 (I don't recall the exact amount), and upon cleaning it up a little I found that same dark patina on the blade and the shiny socket. I threw a decent edge on it and spun a new handle, and that bad boy works amazingly for my heavy-duty shaping/paring.
The main point of this comment is to ask you about the brand. It has "Trustworthy" stamped in flowing cursive letters on the top of the blade, that being the only markings anywhere on it. Do you know anything about that company? I realize this information I seek has nothing to do with its performance, but it's always fun to know the history behind your tools. Thank you for your time spent making this video!
Thanks again Rex, for a very informative video. I have been working up to buying a few chisels, but wasn't sure which ones to get. I watched your video where you talked about which ones you use, it led me to watch this video. Now I'm ready to commit myself to some purchases. Thanks! 😊
super helpful video and relevant to current events. I learned a few lessons the hard way and appreciate your buying advice. Would love a similar one for back saws, or even a similar series on other standard hand tools. The cork sniffers do blur the lines and I love finding what I call "users" which are equally good tools that I plan to use the hell out of.
Nothing like a well made socket chisel. I continue to pick them up when I see them at garage sales or flea markets.
Maybe you and Stanley can make Rex Krueger approved/recommended chisels to sell from your store. :D
Excellent job! I do love the 750 chisels and have been slowly collecting a set over the years I just bid what I'm willing to pay and usually loose but occasionally get one. Just waiting for a 7/8 inch one now :)
I got a bucket of TH Whiterby chisels at a auction in a bucket full of rope. I paid 12 dollars for the bucket. I was a 5 gallon bucket half full of chisels. I love my CBN wheels for sharpening. They are on the expensive side but they pull heat away form the tool, they are super balanced and they are dead flat.
Love this video, I hope it inspires other to take up the challenge.
I love to restore vintage tools to their original glory too. I think those old ladies are far better steel than those made now and each and everyone has a story behind them. Better yet most of them can be had for a song because folks a just trying to get rid of them! Be well and safe peace to you and yours.
larger chisels will have a layer of hardened steel welded via forging process laminated beneath a layer of of more ductile steel that is present all the way from the edge into the socket.
Nice overview. I am pleased to observe that most of my chisel collection are the exact socket chisels you recommend. My grandfather had good taste. I've had to make a few handles... without a lathe. Not very difficult though. My next chisel purchase is going to be a slick, mainly because I find them cool. I know I will rarely use it, still want one.
I'd honestly love to see something like this vid for each tool type in the basic "Woodwork for Humans" toolkit, especially for the brand value segment around 14:20. Getting maximal value from a very tight budget is the game for many of us these days.
Really interesting video Rex. Picked up some good tips. Just finished restoring some old chisels and turning handles for them. Not sure if tang is easier to fit than socket though. Thank you.
Tuning used tools makes them your own in a sense that only a long relationship with a new tool can accomplish. Two thirds of my hand tools are old and beloved rehabs. Those rare new purchases like bronze-bodied Lie-Nielsen planes with cherry handles are also "rehabilitated" in the sense of stripping the the lacquer (a protectant to preserve the "new" during retailing) from both wood and metal, and burnishing with a few drops of oil on 4/0 steel wool to allow the maroon of the cherry and warmth of aged bronze to develop. Like restored bargains they become more beautiful, feel better in the hand, and age with grace.