Tmize Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 So I finally got some time this afternoon to get in the shop. Between work an family stuff I haven’t had any free time for shop much less stop in here much. So I got some wood milled started getting joinery laid out went over to my new HCM an knocked out the first mortise then about half way thru the second one an the drill bit snaps. Well crap just have 30 more to go ?. Well I wasn’t feeling all into it to start bashing out them all with my mortise chisel. That an it would throw my layout out a lil since I use my marking gauge straight from the HC bit. So I went to online to Lee Valley I remembered they carried HCM chisels. Holy cow I bite the bullet an bought the premium 1/4” since that is the size I use the most. But $50 for one bit is a lot. I could have gotten the economy one but it just kept running thru my head breaking it again. These bit better come just damn perfect out of the pack just minor honing. I’ll let y’all know how it goes in a week 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 That is spendy! Hopefully it is all you expect. I like the idea of spending bigger money on a sized tool that you use most often. Did hear that when it comes to chisels.....buy a really nice 1/4 or 1/2” and can get buy with a less expensive complete set. Glad you found time in the shop! What is the project you have going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmize Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 33 minutes ago, Jamie said: That is spendy! Hopefully it is all you expect. I like the idea of spending bigger money on a sized tool that you use most often. Did hear that when it comes to chisels.....buy a really nice 1/4 or 1/2” and can get buy with a less expensive complete set. Glad you found time in the shop! What is the project you have going? I do hope this one will be a good one if not I’ll buy a bunch of the cheap ones at $15 a piece to keep on hand. It a low bookcase to go in behind our back door. Small enough dead space to squeeze it in there an be functional. It will match all the rest of the stuff I’ve been building lately. It’s all frame an panel with a ship lap backboard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 I can honestly say I've never broken a HCM bit.. I'm thinking you got a bum one in the deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 Do they sell just the replacement bit without the chisel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/8/2020 at 8:13 PM, Kev said: I can honestly say I've never broken a HCM bit.. I'm thinking you got a bum one in the deal! I agree! Re sharpening I have never had one come sharp regardless of price. Definitely sharpen and hone them you will be glad you did as they will work way better. I use the Lee Valley bits and they will stay sharp longer but do need to be sharpened and honed I use this process https://www.finewoodworking.com/2014/06/02/how-to-sharpen-hollow-chisel-mortising-bits 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmize Posted September 11, 2020 Author Share Posted September 11, 2020 On 9/8/2020 at 9:38 PM, Coop said: Do they sell just the replacement bit without the chisel? Not that I could find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Tmize said: Not that I could find I believe them to just be a standard spiral bit used in construction.. I don't think there's anything special about them.. Next time I'm in the big box store, I'll take a look.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 11, 2020 Share Posted September 11, 2020 @Richarda sent me a set that he no longer had a use for and they did not fit the machine that I got from Woodcraft. I believe it was the chisel itself and not the bit that didn’t fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmize Posted September 12, 2020 Author Share Posted September 12, 2020 The chisel shanks are different sizes depending on the size of the machine. So I believe mine is a 5/8 diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) The “chisel shanks “ of the ones a friend @Richardagave me are 3/4” and too big for my machine. If anyone can use them, let me know. Free, freight paid. I have no idea of the quality but appear to have never been used. Edited September 17, 2020 by Coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmize Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 Well I got the new chisel in this week. They very solidly built. The mill marks was very faint some I started out on my 1200 grit stone an worked up to my 8000 grit. Very quickly maybe 20 seconds an had a nice polish. Now did it just blow me away in performance well no. I could tell that it was thicker metal construction so that may mean that they will hold up longer than stock 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.