A Better Hot Cutting/Slitting Chisel (uneven bevel) Edge

[@flatlinesup]

I always find your open mindedness and willing to experiment encouraging and infectious. Most would have looked at that chisel and thought it was simply cheaply made with shoddy workmanship. But you took it home, used it, paid attention and thought about it and applied it to your own in such a way to make others intrigued. You're a pretty cool dude Glen. Thank you for sharing.

[@gstongs]

I guess you never know unless you try. Thanks for sure.

[@theintegrator]

Good vid Glen, mainly because I learned yet that small bit about tool edge geometry. As a woodworker/furniture maker I know about sharp cutting tools but I rarely have to think about the geometry of a chisel. Another example of “Things are different when you work with steel rather than wood.”

[@gstongs]

Hi Dan, Yes, for some tools the geometry might be similar for wood and metal but for some, very different. I used this slitting style chisel on a hammer yesterday and will post that video. Worked well enough but could be better. I like messing around with this sort of tooling to see if anything might be better. Small changes can sometimes make big differences. Thanks for everything.

[@paulorchard7960]

That’s great Glen, think as an axe eye starter would be the perfect tool, certainly easier than driving a punch to get a start point! Drift to your size and shape next!

[@gstongs]

I used this on a hammer and it worked reasonably well. I'll post that video soon. But I think I can adjust the angle, make it more shallowly tapered to get even better results. Thanks Paul.

[@derekhughes9274]

Always nice find something new.

[@gstongs]

Hi Derek, And I always see something I didn't see previously whenever I visit that hardware store. Thanks.

[@TomTalley]

I wonder if the off center bevel has the effect of driving the cut to the center of the material when struck. The bevel is even in the center, but diverges toward each end...if struck off center, it might seem to cut in a more centered direction ...just a thought.

[@gstongs]

I believe you may be right. I keep saying uneven but when both sides are considered, it's actually even since the unevenness on one side is reversed on the other making it even when considering both sides as a whole. Good thought. Thanks Tom.

[@abitoffcenter383]

I'm probably wrong. But that store bought chisel looks more like wedge to me. One used to help split firewood or possibly felling trees. I could be wrong/mistaken. But that's the first thing that came to mind when you picked it up at the store. Hopefully maybe this helps you or somebody. As always, thank you for your time and efforts! Have a good one and be safe out there

[@gstongs]

Hi Charles, your guess isn't a bad one and better than anything I thought. Someone mentioned it maybe being a sheet metal chisel and that seems to make the most sense. When I go to that hardware store again, I'll ask. Thanks and be safe as well.

[@giannirocco7492]

@@gstongs have a good look at a boat builder's caulking iron,most places with predominant coastlines usually have plenty of boatbuilders.For the tool to have more taper on one side would make a lot of sense...one end(side) for starting the caulk(okum or cotton) the other for finishing

[@NjalLaing]

Very thought provoking and a cool idea. Thankyou.😊

[@gstongs]

You never know unless you try. Thanks for your support.

[@HWPcville]

The chisel looks like it was ground with a misaligned holding bracket then turned over and ground again with the same misaligned holding position. I envy you the mom & pop hardware store where you shopped. We used to have several like that in my town but now its all chain stores with assistants that might be knowledgeable of tools and their uses but most likely aren't. On a human interest level, I'm curious, in a normal days interaction what percentages do you speak English vs the local language? I like seeing your activities in & away from your workshop.

[@gstongs]

I guess I shouldn't call this chisel uneven since when both sides are considered as a whole, it's actually even since the unevenness of one side is reversed on the opposite side. For whatever the reason the smaller hardware stores here are way more popular than the big box stores and that's good. I probably speak Mandarin 85% of the time each day here, maybe even more depending on my schedule and who I run into. Can be tiring at times. Thanks for all your support.

[@shortfuse43]

Man, I would go crazy in a store like that....better leave my cash and CC at home!!!

[@gstongs]

Yeah, I know some guys who might wet their pants if they saw this hardware store street. Literally dozens of shops like this one all crammed together. I'm glad I'm very far from being a collector / hoarder. Thanks.

[@drewwilson8811]

That chisel puts me in mind of a #1&#2 chisel when doing like art work such as flowers I say that cause it looks like it pushes the material forward depends on where you strike it

[@gstongs]

Hi Drew, Very good observation. Someone mentioned this might be a sheet metal chisel and that also makes good sense. I'll ask when I go back to that store. Thanks.

[@giannirocco7492]

Those "chisels" you were looking at reminded me of old school caulking irons for plank on frame type wood boats...

[@richardbryant7972]

I use an old hatchet as a hot cut it works great and doesn’t dull easy

[@gstongs]

Hi Richard, that's interesting and shows that non-traditional tools/ways can work just fine. Thanks.

[@vmarc4682]

Damn, I wish we had stores like that in the states.

[@theintegrator]

Right? Walk in and buy a length of 1/2” by 1” 1050 steel? I had to buy some on eBay.

[@gstongs]

I do remember this sort of hardware store when I was was a kid on Staten Island. Had a distinct smell and feel which was wonderful. Thanks.

[@gstongs]

Mom and pop stores have mostly disappeared in the west but there are still some holdouts. Here, all the little specialty stores are located together as maybe that makes strength in numbers. Thanks for all your support.

[@vmarc4682]

@@gstongs Reimans right? On victory Blvd.

[@tokolosh11]

Awesome. Very interesting video as always Glen. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@gstongs]

Hi Anthony, Always good to see you in the comment section. Thanks again for your support.

[@Coal.Thompson]

Hey Glen, not sure if anyone else has suggested this but I think the chisel might be meant for Slate. I think its used for splitting off sheets for shingles and stuff by hand.

[@gstongs]

That's a good guess. But as far as I know, they rarely use slate here but do use other stones like granite. Someone else mentioned sheet metal cutting and that makes sense. But I'll ask when I go back to that hardware store. Thanks.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Less wedging in and easier to remove from the cut. looks good.

[@gstongs]

Perfectly said. I used this on a hammer recently and will show that video soon. Much less sticking but I can adjust the angle I think, make it even more shallow, and get even better results. Thanks Randy.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

Hello Glen. You always come up with interesting tools. Looks like it works well. It will be interesting what projects you use them on in the future.

[@gstongs]

Hi Jeff, I used this chisel on a hammer recently and it worked reasonably well. I'll post that video in a few days. Thanks.

[@farmerboy916]

I mean, the effect is to have opposite ‘butcher’ style chisels on either end; if done in the right way you might prevent a twist that people of a certain handedness might give it, or leave the ends of a cut in the same way a butcher would which may have some advantage?

[@48vdcwrld]

Good info thanks Glen

[@gstongs]

You never know unless you try. Thanks John.

[@robertwhitney2232]

Hi Glen, the closest thing to a store in my area is the flea markets at antique engine shows. The guy that has stuff??? No idea what it is or what it was used for, but what can I use it for or what to make out of it. I have found that the bigger the pile, the bigger the discount. For a builder it's a goldmine. Imagination is the key, and it looks like you have been blissed. 🙏🏼 Thanks for sharing. 👍⚒

[@gstongs]

Hi Robert, I used to love browsing flea markets and antique shops for old tools. And at some farm and tractor shows in the US, they have huge tailgating sections for second hand sellers. Lots of junk but lots of treasures too. Thanks.

[@Anothermachine]

It was interesting and informative. It does seem you have hit something new or lost to the ages as none of the comments seem to imply common knowledge

[@gstongs]

Hi Ed, I tired my own chisel of this style on a hammer recently and it worked pretty well. Not perfect but not bad at all. I'll post that video soon. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelmarks8954]

I think that odd bevel allowed the cut to stay straight by having pressure going in opposite direction. “Is that understandable “ Thanks 🇺🇸

[@gstongs]

Hi Michael and yes, that may be exactly correct. I will ask the purpose for this style chisel when I visit that hardware store again. Thanks.

[@wild_willy_from_twin_city4526]

that make a good Tomahawk starting point

[@gstongs]

For sure this chisel will work well for starting tomahawk eyes. Thanks.

[@mckutzy]

On a few vids here, showing about sheet metal work... I think they use it for cutting a sheet of metal, internal or large cuts across... Much as you would cut a mark in some steel, rocking into the next cut and strike, carrying along till finished... I guess this is the places that don't have shears and snips..

[@kenbrundage5528]

I think you are generally correct. This tool could be used like a horseshoers' fuller to make a parallel groove that follows the curved edge of a horseshoe. Take a bite, rock up and forward, take another bite.

[@mckutzy]

@@kenbrundage5528 Oh ya sure... That too... Good example...

[@gstongs]

I believe you are exactly correct and make mention of you for this in the live stream following this. I will visit that hardware again and make certain. Thanks.

[@gstongs]

Another good guess but given the few numbers of horses here, I'm not sure. Thanks Ken.

[@honeycuttracing]

Would definitely like see you making that flatter you where talking about! How much does that toolbox cost in that store? It looked very nice!

[@gstongs]

I recently used this chisel on a hammer (not flatter) and will post that soon. I didn't catch how much that toolbox cost. I will go back there for sure and hopefully I remember to check. Thanks.

[@glen1arthur]

I don't recall ever seeing one of those I'll have to take a look when I am next at my cousins he got grandpa's blacksmith shop. Was that Mandarin you were speak it has be awhile - like early 90s made some friends while in college a couple from Singapore and they spoke Mandarin. I always feel bad that we lot track of each other after about 5 years or so.

[@gstongs]

Hi Glen, Someone said it's a sheet metal chisel and that makes sense. And yes, I was speaking Mandarin. I studied really hard when I was much younger that has paid off. And yeah, it is a shame that friends come and go in this life. Thanks.

[@andynick01]

Another really interesting video - thanks Glen! I love your eagerness to learn and your open-minded approach, but if the bevel is uneven, it MUST result in a twisting action when hammered into the stock... Probably negligible on thin material, so I might be splitting hairs. I'd love to have seen you harden and then temper the striking end of the tool to see if you could reduce the mushrooming.

[@Ihatezidiotz]

you want the striking end of the chisel soft so it doent chip and shoot shards out.

[@andynick01]

@@Ihatezidiotz - You don't want it so soft that it easily mushrooms over. That can be dangerous too. I said "harden and then temper the striking end of the tool". That way the striking end would be a little harder than it is now, but not too hard. That's what tempering is for.

[@gstongs]

Hi Andy, I'm not sure about the twisting. I used this on a hammer recently and didn't have that issue. I think mainly because it's uneven on each side but if considering both sides as a whole, is actually even. The cutting end needed some dressing during the making of said hammer but the striking end was perfect. I'll post that video soon. Thanks for your input.

[@gstongs]

For sure softer is safer. But given this steel is just medium carbon, I think I'm OK with how I hardened this chisel. Thanks.

[@gstongs]

The good thing about the comment section is everyone can learn from everyone els since a lot of folks' approach to things like heat treating may vary some and what I'm doing may not be best. Thanks.

[@NickNameNick2]

I wonder if it will make the cutting edge twist a little in the work? It might make it hard to cut square features.

[@gstongs]

Hi Nick, someone else said exactly the same but I haven't found that it twists and I think this is because it is uneven on each side but when taking into account both sides as a whole unit, is actually even. The unevenness on each side is reversed, if that makes sense. Thanks.

[@NickNameNick2]

@@gstongs Do you think it would be more likely to twist in a deep cut? Or is there no need to use it that way?

[@gstongs]

I used this chisel on a hammer recently and while it wasn't ideal, it worked pretty well. I'll post that video soon. Thanks.

[@NickNameNick2]

@@gstongs I'll look forward to it. Thank you.

[@rustymeadows3482]

That is used to walk with Glen thank you

[@gstongs]

I believe you are correct. And someone else mentioned it might be for using on sheet metal and walking it on the workpiece as you chisel along. Seems perfectly logical. Thanks.

[@ericmorriscompany9648]

Your Chinese is quite good. A little Taiwanese accent. I have a Shanghai accent. I always have to laugh when people from north China tell me my Chinese isn’t standard. At least a Taiwanese or Shanghainese accent is better than an American accent.

[@gstongs]

Hi Eric, I've been here in Taiwan for quite a while. Some foreigners are lazy about learning the lingo but I really put in effort for the first few years. Wish all is well.

[@prepertruckin8525]

⭕️ May i suggest... Making the tongue all set at 62° not 90°…?

[@gstongs]

I appreciate your input. I recently used this chisel with a tong at 90 degrees to the cutting edge and it was fine but 62 degrees might be even better. And thanks for joining the live chat that other day.

[@MrJamesjustin]

Most cool mate.

[@gstongs]

Thanks James.

[@Hood-serg]

Зачем покупать,когда можно самому сделать! Отлично.

[@gstongs]

Sometimes buying is just easier than making. But in this case, the store bought chisel gave me a good idea. Thanks.

[@rustymeadows3482]

A round chisel

[@gstongs]

Hi Rusty. Thanks.

[@christopherconkright1317]

These are dying in America

[@gstongs]

For some reason, the smaller hardware stores here have not been usurped by the big box giants and that's great. Thanks.