If I had to deal with rust on a daily bases I wouldn't have time to do any woodwork or I'd have to shed most of my tools. Of course that led to trying to figure out what tools I really need and that led back to Ralph's original post about sharpening.
In my experience there are two to four major divides in approaches to sharpening. The first is mostly freehand vs. those that use a jig when they are able. The second are the folks that seldom return a tool to the rack that is not working sharp and will sharpen mid job vs. the ones that if a tool dulls will just grab another and set the dull tool aside to be sharpened when the sharpening pile reaches critical mass or they run out of sharp tools.
There is no value judgement of the four camps, it's just different ways of working. Because I'm in the freehand/sharpen when dull camp I expect in reality I could function at about the same level I do now with no more than a dozen or so chisels. Would I do it? Ain't no way as long as I'm in the desert. With a move out of the desert I expect a few tools would go.
Photos of my chisel racks to show the extent of my sickness:
First the rack behind the main workbench that holds most of my day to day chisels. BTW, if you went through the racks, with the exception of the "why do I keep these chisels" rack and a few new to me chisels that are still being set up, every chisel is sharp and ready to use.
The rack above the main tool shelf also behind the main workbench.
The rack over the sharpening bench where I store most of the mortise chisels and gouges.
And the rack where the"Why do I keep these chisels" are stored.
There are even more "why do I keep these chisels" in chisel rolls stuck in different coroners of the shop. It is a sickness but for the most part harmless, better than Porsche's and blondes and a little safer and cheaper.
ken
I've been in all four camps. I still tend to wait too long before I sharpen my tools.
ReplyDeleteRalph,
DeleteYep, me to, but over the years I discovered I hate to sharpen a bunch of tools at one time and when I do I do a lousy job of it. Having the sharpening bench next to the workbench with everything set up and ready to use was the key for me.
ken
Me too, been in all 4 camps, mostly now, I just touch up as I go then switch tools when dull and grab another. The accumulating piles tend to get done in a sharpening marathon later. Which remind me, Im overdue for one of these :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, having too many tools is both an asset and a ban.
But it is a decease, for which there are no antidotes
Bob, running a high fever WRT tools :-)
Bob,
DeleteI keep making noise about thinning the herd and have sold/given away a few but I expect you know the story, there is always a reason to not put that tool in the sell box.
Maggie and I are still without adult supervision, it is amazing how lazy we have become.
ken
Sweet!! Nice collection of beautiful tools.
ReplyDeleteAdd another mark in the "Critical Mass" column. Sharpening is best done in batches, like laundry. More tools means fewer minutes spent sharpening. Simple math. Or so I tell myself...
Thanks Stan,
DeleteNotice the chisels from you are all on the right where they are easy to get to.
"...Simple math." LOL,whatever works. BTDT :-).
ken
*lol*
ReplyDeleteYou've got more chisels in the "I forgot about these ones" rack than I have in the entire shed Ken. A hidden benefit of the shed being so small that you have to step outside to change your mind - it acts as a brake on buying tools because you'll have nowhere to put them...
Mark,
DeleteI may join you soon. MsBubba and I are trying to decide where we are going to retire. If not in Tucson the shop may get a major downsize.
Truth is a dozen chisels, three bench planes, four saws and a few joinery planes and you can build almost anything with tools left over most times.
Not that I want to do that :-).
ken
OK so I did a quick count, including the few gouges and NOT the English styles turn screws... You have about as many chisels than I have planes.
ReplyDeleteYou got my beat hands down in the chisel dept, I only have 67 :-)
Bob, who understand the sickness very well :-)
Give Maggie a treat will yah, she earned it
Bob,
DeleteI expect you have me beat on the planes. Although I have never used planes stuck in every corner and crevasse of the shop. Yes it is a sickness.
ken
Are they all 1/2"?
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteSometimes I use a 18mm as well :-). But Honey Bunch how can I chop mortises without a pig sticker and those dovetail chisels are just a must have...I don't think she really buys it but it keeps me out of the bars.
ken
Subject change - I stopped in at the portugee bakery this morning for work treats. I saw on their website they had broa.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was counterfeit. Only shaped like broa. The good side is it was only $3, still warm, and had a great crust. Still a superb butter delivery system.
The search goes on.
Steve,
DeleteSometimes the expectation of something can led to disappointment when if taken for what it is can be wonderful. Sounds like you enjoyed the later.
I haven't re-made Broa but will soon.
BTW, yesterday was pinto beans and cornbread. After 70 years it is still one of my favorites.
ken