MikeW
Established Member
or, On the Inappropriate Use of a Chisel
Really, it wasn't the chisel's fault.
I have a bench that is showing its age. Over time, over tightening things in the front vice (and probably a bad installation many years ago) has taken its toll on the mounting bolts and it's gotten a bit loose. The panel I was paring was held vertically, with the portion being pared at a down cut. I didn't think much about it, really. It was a portion that was a notch and as such the horizontal portion of the notch should have stopped the chisel.
And it would have stopped the chisel, had the piece been held firmly in the vice. As it was the piece pivoted in the vice and the chisel, being held with two hands on the handle, glanced off the wood and slid down the work piece with such speed that I wouldn't have even known what happened if I hadn't seen it.
The sharpness of the chisel made a cut about 1/4" deep (just about to the muscle) and about 2" long. Appropriate for a 38 mm chisel. I didn't feel a thing. Still doesn't much if I don't twist wrong. We figure (had I gone to the doctor) there would be a few internal and about 8-12 external stitches.
So this morning during my first cup of coffee, I went out into the shop, finished the cut, installed the piece, and decided that was enough for the day. Did some product testing, a bit of quoteing and a lot of reading. A relaxing day all things considered.
Sort of made the customer mad when I informed them the piece wouldn't be delivered as requested. I figure other than some light duty work and a 1-day seminar I'm teaching this weekend (veneering) I'm going to just read and write. I'll worry about money next week.
Really, it wasn't the chisel's fault.
I have a bench that is showing its age. Over time, over tightening things in the front vice (and probably a bad installation many years ago) has taken its toll on the mounting bolts and it's gotten a bit loose. The panel I was paring was held vertically, with the portion being pared at a down cut. I didn't think much about it, really. It was a portion that was a notch and as such the horizontal portion of the notch should have stopped the chisel.
And it would have stopped the chisel, had the piece been held firmly in the vice. As it was the piece pivoted in the vice and the chisel, being held with two hands on the handle, glanced off the wood and slid down the work piece with such speed that I wouldn't have even known what happened if I hadn't seen it.
The sharpness of the chisel made a cut about 1/4" deep (just about to the muscle) and about 2" long. Appropriate for a 38 mm chisel. I didn't feel a thing. Still doesn't much if I don't twist wrong. We figure (had I gone to the doctor) there would be a few internal and about 8-12 external stitches.
So this morning during my first cup of coffee, I went out into the shop, finished the cut, installed the piece, and decided that was enough for the day. Did some product testing, a bit of quoteing and a lot of reading. A relaxing day all things considered.
Sort of made the customer mad when I informed them the piece wouldn't be delivered as requested. I figure other than some light duty work and a 1-day seminar I'm teaching this weekend (veneering) I'm going to just read and write. I'll worry about money next week.