Tool Handles

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong (that's the reason for this post) but am I right in thinking that "proper" ferrules have a very slight taper on them? Going back to when I was apprenticed (about 1843)I'm sure I can remember the "old boy" telling me that as the ferrule could then be tightened if it worked loose.
Regards
John BHT

[bodrighywood]

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong (that's the reason for this post) but am I right in thinking that "proper" ferrules have a very slight taper on them? Going back to when I was apprenticed (about 1843)I'm sure I can remember the "old boy" telling me that as the ferrule could then be tightened if it worked loose.
Regards
John BHT

I think you are right John. Also a lot thicker than the copper pipe though I admit I use it on my handles.

Pete

[julcle]

That's interesting John, I have just had a look at two of the ones I bought from Ashley Isles last year at yandles and although they have a bevel on the inside of one end there is no taper on either the 1" O/D or the 7/8" O/D. I made my first handle for a bowl gouge after returning from Yandles and didn't use any fixing agent, there was already a pip in it. It's been in the shed ever since and is still as tight as when I put it on (let's hope it stays that way).   --   Julian

[burywoodturners]

I use copper pipe for my ferrules and so far I have yet to have a failure.
The only ferrule that has split for me is on a paring chisel which got damp. I would take it back but I bought it 60 years ago and I cannot find the receipt!
Ron

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

It was always said Ron that good quality tools last you a lifetime. I have a Sorby paring chisel from when I was apprenticed. Still going strong. There seems to be something about the old steel that holds an edge better that the modern steels.
John BHT

[MCB]

I use copper pipe for my ferrules and so far I have yet to have a failure.
The only ferrule that has split for me is on a paring chisel which got damp. I would take it back but I bought it 60 years ago and I cannot find the receipt!
Ron

A reputable manufacturer won't split hairs about one of their tools being just out of guarantee period.

The Sale of Goods Act requires things to be of “merchantable quality”

MC

[Bryan Milham]

John,

Old edged tools were Cast or Warrented Steel, not the modern Tool Steel. They do take a far sharper edge but are very susseptable to bluing (drawing the temper) if ground a bit hard.

Somewhere in another thread I mentioned a chisel I'd had re hardened & not quite fully tempered, it takes a razor edge, is very hard and I'd watch it shatter if i ever dropped it, but what a tool.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Ahh, a sharp edge, a thing of beauty. You know when sometimes in the workshop you just need to do something to calm down? for me it used be a couple of gaspers and a mug of caffeine, no gaspers now though so what to replace them with?
     Once I have my coffee I very calmly get a favourite wood chisel out along with the India sharpening stone, the slate one and the artificial one. I have a strip of leather on ply to strop with ,I don't grind but go through all the stones(just like the grits when sanding) and strop until I get a beautiful razor sharp edge. Over the years the back has become polished to a high shine and the satisfaction and relaxation I get from going through the motions is priceless.
   Dear Marg, am I normal?
Regards
John BHT

[Bryan Milham]

John,

I understand the feelings you impart in your description (God I still miss my pipe), chisels yes but plane irons are my personal thing.

And if you're not normal, there is no hope for me either!

[seventhdevil]

if you have to ask if your'e normal,   your'e not!!!


doesn't everybody spend hours locked away in a workshop sharpening, turning, cutting blanks, sanding, oiling and polishing?

[Eric Harvey]

I have a set of Marples chisels that were my dads,they had the then newfangled red and yellow plastic unbrakeable handles,I was 7 or 8 at the time,was chuffed as I got his old ones which were his dads,I still have both sets,and no handle breakages on either set as yet,and still kept as sharp as my father kept them.