Can I Make An Epoxy Chisel Cut Wood ?

Can I Make An Epoxy Chisel Cut Wood??? In this video instead of making things out of epoxy, we attempt to make tools with epoxy! I know, INSANE! This experiment ended up being quite tricky and you're going to want to check out the results!
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[@treggliebler6237]

Love your videos, I work with epoxy alot. I believe the problem is it needs to cure (not just dry) for 30 days before it's hard enough to sharpen. Sharpen after 30 days, but stop often during sharpening, the process creates alot of friction, friction equals heat, heat softens the epoxy. Patients is the key.

[@SmDJeremy]

After watching some of these guys videos... i had a very strong feeling this is how he would screw this idea up. He's at least consistent at how he fks all the projects up

[@jpoconnor6473]

Because of you, I've felt confident in my first woodworking project - a farmhouse coffee table. Gave me something to do this quarantine. Thank you for that! Hope you and your family are safe!

[@John_Malecki]

Thats awesome JP, congrats !!!

[@katzmosestools]

*Makes popcorn, pours beer, sits down to enjoy this comment section* Great video John! Experimenting is fun. Especially with cram holes.

[@matthewenquist]

Isn't it like 8 am in california when this comment dropped? respect. #quarantinehappyhour

[@John_Malecki]

Cram holes are my favorite. thanks bud!

[@katzmosestools]

@@matthewenquist drinking rules for quarantine are the same as airports. 7am have a beer and a cinnabon.

[@matthewenquist]

@@katzmosestools This makes me proud that I recently bought a dovetail guide from you. Carry on!

[@patrickwurzbacher7393]

Hi John! You could potentially try combining the existing methodology of a chisel with epoxy. I.E. having it be metal at the end for the cutting edge of the blade but then pouring clear epoxy for the rest so that you can still see what’s going on underneath the blade!

[@John_Malecki]

Oh, not a bad idea. Like having a metal cutting tip, and resin for the rest. Could be awesome to make that from one piece too!

[@patrickwurzbacher7393]

John Malecki if you’re feeling really ambitious, you could also try casting the handle instead of turning it, maybe add some pigments to the epoxy for a cool swirl effect?

[@jakeronimo6115]

Even better, if you used glass, (just as a quarter inch of inlay) it would all be clear.

[@glenrgearhartjr1297]

"You can't learn how to win, unless you learn how to lose." No truer words have been spoken. Much like Soichiro Honda's quote, "Success is 99% failure"

[@hammer300c3]

You could make a chisel out of glass. Sounds safe enough. Just need some eye protection.

[@slightlysoulfulspatula]

And lung protection. Silicosis ... no one wants it.

[@garylewis2061]

Imagine a diamond chisel there's no stopping it

[@Cronkerdonk]

I wouldn’t mind seeing a part 2 to this, when you figure it out.

[@andrewdrozd847]

Hybrid: spend more time on the green fleshlight and cast around a utility knife blade.

[@tinyhousestudio9529]

This is an old thread but maybe my 2 cents can help others out who are thinking about making molds for themselves. I would've made a separate mold for each tool.. Plastic pop bottles work great. Cut the top off a pop bottle evenly, 12 or 16oz depending on length of tool. The molds come right out, intact, by just slicing down the bottle side after mold is dry. Lay a dowel rod across the top, super glue a fishing line to centered flat-top of handle part of tool. Tie line to dowel to suspend tool in center of bottle, and hang top of tool end flush to top of bottle. Use a marker & mark outside of bottle where the tool flares out from its narrow neck. Pour your Ooomo to top of bottle too. You should see flat top of tool too. After de-molding, you'll have a nice sized hole to pour epoxy into for future pours. Yes, you'll be able to reuse the mold many times over since we won't be destroying it during the process. Once Ooomo is dry, cut slice down from top of bottle and the mold to mark made on bottle. At this point you continue to cut bottle to its bottom if you like but don't continue cutting mold down to the bottom as its not necessary. Pop mold out of bottle and remove mold. Put used bottle in recycle bin. You now have a access slice cut from top down till you reached the flat part of tool. Now spread that bad puppy open & it'll pull right out. The mold is still intact too cuz you didn't hack or tear it all to crap and back getting it out or did you?. Your new mold can be reused by putting a few rubber bands around it to seal up the release cut you made. If your epoxy isn't drying, it's due to either Temp, Incorrect Measuring or Poor Mixing. Guessing at quantities of ptA/ ptB will never work. Temp above 70f always. Minimum 2min mixing, 3-5 for large batches. Respirator should be worn during mixing/pouring. I've been using epoxy for 14 yrs (no expert) and 2 diff brands I've settled on over the yrs. They dry crystal clear and hard everytime. I'm not familiar with the epoxy brand John used, but if you're satisfied with the results, that's all that counts. Like I said, no expert here but maybe this'll help someone out. Big fan John, your vids are the best and Steelers fan for 50 yrs and till death..

[@alexandriayanez9943]

It might work better with a fiberglass additive. I know they make some that are super fine and pretty much disappear into epoxy. I recommend using the first epoxy you tried (but cure it in a warm place) and total boat finely milled glass fibers.

[@pebkacz]

entertaining if nothing else..... but your right. Got to learn by failing until you nail it!

[@joelmcloughlin5683]

You're like the Jack Black of woodcrafting and you look like a thin Chris Pratt Love your videos, they're the best!

[@Mitrasmit]

When you tried to calculate the size of the hole to turn/drill, I felt so sympathetic for all US makers having to use imperial units...

[@godhilers]

Ehh, my head instantly converts them. I have the same feeling when I think of the three languages I know, French, Spanish, and English can all be used interchangeably by me, metric and imperial are like languages for me

[@Isaac_Norman]

Perhaps, instead of casting a hand chisel, you cast a complete plane, blade and all. In separate pieces, of course. The idea of using a metal tip is really clever but I believe that if you build yourself a vacuum chamber out of resin in a similar method to how you built the fish mallet, that could make a big difference in the quality of your tip from resin alone. The minuscule bubbles turn the cutting edge into a more serrated edge which won't work for something as precise as what you're aspiring to. I love watching your videos and this one made me hit the subscribe button. Keep pushing your boundaries.

[@drunkenobservations7483]

Couriosity from a noob, and a good vid. The right type of apoxy for the right job.

[@jglasgow19]

Resin saw. Make It. I believe in you guys.

[@andrewwebb6270]

I work with resin often. Not epoxy but the concept is the same. Thinner pieces of resin take longer to cure than thicker pieces, which is why the cup shape was hard but the actual cast was floppy. Edit: I commented early in the video so I missed the re-cast

[@Skkonn]

I like the experimentation. Perhaps next time look up the MSDS of the epoxy to see the hardness level. You could also add fillers to make it stiffer and harder, but that would have lost some of the fun of it all.

[@antc8634]

You should make a chevron table where some of the arrows are epoxy. I never seen that before and i think it would be one of a kind on your channel!

[@SpartanX317]

Transparent Metal...Go forth my son, do thine greatness!!

[@drunkenobservations7483]

Squirrely as he'll = lemonade. Love it, bring it on.

[@ArtisanMadeDesigns]

Everyone is making mallets, haven’t seen an epoxy mallet yet.

[@kdurham98]

Could be neat to make a dead blow mallet where you could see the ball bearings in the head.

[@John_Malecki]

That would be awesome !!!! 😳

[@PhilipPetrunak]

@@kdurham98 A dead blow epoxy mallet would break pretty easily.

[@AttemptMade]

A dead blow mallet with steel ball bearings partially exposed and then covered with a thin layer of transparent silicone.

[@darwinmounsey376]

I'm with the public! Great idea should try Crystal quartz or something hard and dense

[@mrspliffdoctor4807]

5:15 Gotta enjoy the little things :)

[@TrommelmonsterBVB09]

I have tried, I really have, for quite some time to understand Imperical number system... I just cannot wrap my european head around it. not shittalking it either, dont get me wrong, I find it astonishing how you guys can work accurately with these measurements. Keep up the good work and much love from Germany

[@marksworkshop8724]

Yes, it is horrible...but you get used to using it. I design fixtures for machinists and the worst part is tolerancing. You try to use standard sizes, such as 3/8, however the decimal of that is 0.375 which gives a tolerance in the thousandths...

[@benjaminandres2174]

Even as an American, I have to agree.

[@benjaminandres2174]

The imperial system makes no sense

[@KeyWoodworks]

the boost mobile comment almost made me spit out my coffee!

[@David-fv7zg]

Dudes off his meds again.......Love it.

[@lewiskemp8937]

I love your videos. Love the fabrication but love your humor more. And yes I am a smartass

[@kennethbezanson4266]

Props on the pro pour!

[@maurice_mores]

For the first time KZbin recommends me something interesting and entertaining, I'm subscribing lol

[@SuperCcohen]

Cast a small flat piece of tool steel at the 20 degree angle to get your tip. Gives you a clear tool with hard cutting tip

[@artv4nd3l4y]

I love how he cuts it at 12:38 like a real man. It's funny how kickback and a lot of finger cuts actually happen from using silly things like blade guards. I agree with using a riving knife for sure if you have it, but definitely not a necessity. I don't understand how you get kickback if you know how to cut wood properly. One thing to keep in mind though is metal, that can cause some very unpredictable behavior for sure.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

"You can't learn to win, if you don't learn to loose." I think I've learned to loose like a champ, now I'm ready to win like one!

[@jeremywilliams4381]

Lose, not loose.

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

Christmas tree chisel ornaments. Safe for kids.

[@allendekrey6112]

Metal tip it. I know it kinda defeats the purpose but a solid concept could potentially save money for do it at homers. Only if it could take the hammer!

[@zaadinandsetsunarose4966]

There's a youtuber that made a kitchen knife out of resin. He uses the UV resin. You could try that.

[@dondelong6830]

Just an idea, make the 1" thick epoxy so that the hardness is achieved, then grind to desired shape & primary bevel, then hone in secondary bevel. Again, just an idea. Take it for what it's worth, or leave it, either way.

[@John_Malecki]

Ya we try that at the end with some thick and cured blue resin from the one river table we did, still no bueno

[@dondelong6830]

@@John_Malecki Boo. This would have been way cool if you could have pulled it off. Just imagine the colors and designs of chisels possible. Of course they would never retain an edge like metal, but they would have looked amazing. Oh well, on to the next project.

[@kellcomnet]

You’ve had good ideas in the past, I would not include this in that list. However you have gained and shared knowledge so....win?

[@John_Malecki]

Well yes, wait till you see next weeks idea..... you may hate me forever

[@tylerdesautels1857]

I’ve actually always been curious about this, along with knives

[@vloogle4924]

Use your epoxy chisels to make a plaster mould and melt beer cans to pour more metal chisels.

[@AAK007]

Awesome stuff. Inspired by your videos. I have ulnar neuropathy so it makes it hard for me to use my hands. Especially my right hand. I am able to do some projects because of you and your crew. Thanks and keep the videos coming

[@PandaMajesty428]

Sounds like you had the same urge EvanAndKatelyn did when they made resin knives (who says chisels need to be clear when they could be galaxy lol). Looking forward to when you succeed 👍

[@gregthatcher919]

That boost mobile content was the best unscripted comedy gold I've seen on KZbin. You've earned yourself another subscriber

[@RylaLouise]

You should make a giant resin chisel for your wall!

[@bud7551]

I'd try a polyester resin. It's a lot harder than epoxy. It is, however, very brittle so that may be an issue. Also, wear a mask. The stuff stinks to high hell. You may also consider using a higher bevel angle. 35-40° should give you a more resilient edge.

[@JakDanielz]

I know this is an old video, but maybe a large amount of CA glue mixed with some baking soda and quickly poured into a mold might provide the strength and rigidity after it fully cures. I'm not an expert at all, but casting something that thin might work better with the super glue, although it wouldn't be clear if you add the baking soda. Maybe just a large pour of CA glue if you want the clear blade and have the extra on hand haha

[@markadamarnold]

Yeah...I'm gonna need a *Get Squirrely* shirt and stickers!

[@DarthMaverik]

Late to the game on comments, but you could use metal to make just the blade portion, then cast the clear resin with the blades on place in the mold. Wouldn't be completely clear, but you'd have hard material for the cutting surface, and I think with the metal polished nicely and an ebony stained handle, it would be a sweet looking piece.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

That was a good entertaining video, successful or not. Two thumbs up bro!

[@SlugLamer]

"*calculates* ... 5 16th's..? I dunno!" This folks, is why you need the metric system...

[@Suitednzooted11]

Nah, bruh. You just have to be better at maths.

[@bettytherussiantortoise2808]

For those of you who haven’t landed a man on the moon!

[@russwilson2305]

@@bettytherussiantortoise2808 -NASA has used the metric system for the last 30 years.

[@7perm882]

Yeah metric for the win lol. Being in Canada that's what we go by and in the water and sewer line of work you cut alot of PVC pipe and when you can yell out 375 cents (centimeters) and buddy up top can be like "oh 3.75 meters, easy" 100 centimeters in a meter, 2.5 cm in an inch. It's just easy shit. And get this. 1000 meters is a kilometer/km

[@AttemptMade]

That explains why nasa has been so lame for the last 30 years, they don’t even have a way to get to space anymore.

[@brewedinkco.]

Maybe a mallet or hammer of some sort ? That would be cool

[@John_Malecki]

Ya i have been getting a lot of suggestions for a. mallet. Gonna have to try it !

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

I watching a post by Peter Brown where he's weaponizing Crochet Yarn Squares and he's using Polyester Resin because it apparently sets much harder than other Resins... The downside to Polyester Resin is it apparently stinks to high heaven when liquid so use in a VERY, VERY well ventilated space... You might want to try that for your next Resin ...

[@kingofherdaz]

If you fill the epoxy with metal powder and use a toughened epoxy that you can post cure (and you actually post cure it) it might work for soft woods

[@MCsCreations]

Oh well... Maybe some epoxy handles for chisels? 😬 Maybe a mallet could work... I don't know... Anyway, great job, John! Stay safe there! 🖖😊

[@John_Malecki]

Thank you my friend. We may have to try a mallet

[@JohnT2001]

Would make an interesting corner glue scraper

[@PokeHavoc79]

Even though it is made of a similar material you should try to make a pocket hole jig out of resin

[@ArpitJain007]

You could've tried increasing the hardner portion while mixing the epoxy!

[@CoquiAudio]

I think do the same but use a metal tip blade with a shape that is gonna have holes for the chisel made the material that is gonna hold the blade and that will keep the sharp edge and is gonna be useful tool fancy but useful 😊

[@EdHadder]

I Love John Malecki Videos 🩵🐍

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

If you have a vacuum pump and fittings already, you can make a DIY vacuum pot with a thick walled metal pot or bucket (big soup pot maybe?) and a thick slab of wood if you don't have any glass, plexiglass or lexan. Place the pot upside down on the smooth-planed wood and mark the wood where the pot sits. Use a router to mill a ring into the wood along the line (a little wider is better). Mix up some silicon casting rubber and pour it into the milled ring to create a gasket, drill a hole in the middle for the vacuum pump fittings and voila, a crude vacuum pot (that unless you used plexiglass, lexan or glass, you have no idea whats going on inside since you can't see through wood). For glass, plexiglass or lexan, you'll still need to mill/pour the gasket ring with the wood (perhaps set the pot upside down in the setting ring to create a lip so it doesn't slip off under vacuum), but put the ring on the pot and then lay the glass etc. on it...

[@benbailey2633]

Iv never watch any Channel that makes me laugh so much 🤣 what a guy

[@John_Malecki]

Thanks Ben!

[@davidssimmons7861]

Mold a old piece of a hacksaw blade in the end to use as the cutting edge

[@spencerjw]

This whole video was all about "Do as I say, not as I do!" - Loved it!!

[@violaceamare]

EvanAndKatelyn made 3 knives from resin that seemed to get pretty sharp, though they didn't test against paper, and they were knives instead of chisels.

[@John_Malecki]

They cute cheese and a banana haha. Theirs were awesome . I dunno if they were sharp enough to cut wood tho.

[@violaceamare]

@@John_Malecki Yeah, I figured they might not be but I didn't know if they'd tried something you hadn't or anything. Just figured I'd share just in case. Usable chisels out of resin would be so awesome!

[@antolin7565]

The key is to let oxygen harden the epoxy. The first epoxy was right but the molding didn't allow enough air in to get hard.

[@tcat3315]

I’d like to see your spin on a wooden recessed tp holder!!!

[@timjoe4193]

Maybe try creating a 2 inch block of epoxy and then shaving down to size after it hardens completely?

[@thetruejay20]

Where is Peter Brown? He's the epoxy goat!

[@Pop_Gordo]

You should make a mallet out of epoxy. 3 separate mallets and choose which you like best: 1) epoxy mallet head with wood handle, 2) wood mallet head with epoxy handle, and 3) mallet head and handle out of epoxy. You can test their strength and see how easily they break.

[@tanmanblacksmith4101]

Try plexi glass its really hard and super clear I think it would work great

[@jcbizthekey]

What if you added some metal shavings/cuttings/dust to the epoxy? Won't be crystal clear but maybe with some level of metallic additives it could hold an edge for a couple wood curlies?

[@mikez4132]

I made a casting similar to that. The wife loved it. ;)

[@John_Malecki]

😳😳😳

[@woofy435]

Maybe if you try using light pressure with high grit sanding belts?

[@edlebrock3501]

So one thing I think you could successfully make is another round mallet but out of epoxy, just cast it square with the good epoxy and turn it like you did the wooden one, that would be a cool easy project

[@MAJESTIC.CPR1]

try adding a type of wire mesh similar to what is used in plastic welding or try micarta such as fabric or paper

[@lastchancecris]

I seen a guy make a knife out of dog rawhide chews boiled down. It held a nasty sharp edge like a razor blade, maybe look into that and make a chisel !! That would be a great video ! ⚔️🗡🔪

[@ericdavis5802]

You could have the edge be metal, and a clear resin shaft behind it. The metal edge would be strong enough to hold an edge, I just don't know how the resin would like being smashed into a hard metal front.

[@djkommando]

How about ballistic polycarbonate?

[@Crystalwingsa]

But ive seen knifes made of epoxy......they are really super sharp......or are they?! Idk what to believe anymore!!

[@John_Malecki]

Are they ???

[@MMMo-vt1jh]

HB 9mil gloves are hands down my favorite lol.

[@travislongwell1470]

You can add glass micro beads to the resin

[@scottydrones]

Kudos for trying! Well done videos! I’m following now!

[@genelomas332]

How about take the outer shells off your cordless drill and/or circular saw and cast those in clear epoxy, then you'll be able to see the mechanism of the tool as you are using it..

[@shanesullivant3551]

Mix in some metallic powder. Aluminum powder. I've seen another youtuber do it to make a metallic-ish epoxy knife.

[@baconnology9564]

Epoxy on a quartz or borosilicate glass microscope slide to the back of the epoxy chisel after you mill or sand out a slot for it then use a diamond sharpening stone or wheel with constant water flow from a bucket with a little hole to not get any of the dust into the air.

[@hubshooter]

A video about how many times John can say "it's not hard enough", also there's a poop emoji.

[@michaelmclaughlin8208]

So as a cutting edge, not so much. What about casting a different part of a tool. I'm sure casting chisel handles has been done to death but what about the body of a block plane? A spoke shave? Or some other hand tool where seeing through the tool as it is cutting might be kind of cool. I would choose something small but I get the feeling that you would go for a jointer plane. : )

[@unitwoodworking5403]

Epoxy is material possible to make a variety things. Great idea and skill.

[@John_Malecki]

Thank you!

[@unitwoodworking5403]

@@John_Malecki You're welcome. Take care.

[@rjepps]

Make a full size resin sledgehammer and see how durable it is 😜

[@CeeJayThe13th]

What about something like JB Weld at the tip or is it possible to mix powdered steel in with the resin? (wait... Is that what JB Weld is?) And what about flint knapping the edge instead of sharpening it?

[@tombaker3794]

I started watching, continued watching, continued to hang in, and kept asking myself "why?", but then I remembered - I forgot to take my meds this morning and this was rather therapeutic, put me in a happy place.

[@mariashadows1328]

"Hot glue gun is out of glue" omg the halt to all projects! I feel this so much😂😂😂😂

[@kaydenupshaw2401]

Try making a plexiglass chisel that might hold a shape edge better

[@furthernorthfab]

Trying is still winning.

[@antii85]

I was thinking if it would be possible to make a Handdrill (like the one you restored) out of epoxy 😍

[@TwiLightVids]

Give those chisels to Andy from Shawshank Redemption 👍

[@DanSeaber-Shinn]

You’re a madman......I LOVE IT 👏🏻🤟🏻

[@John_Malecki]

I appreciate that my friend hah

[@bobbyhall3636]

Hi John. My only experience with woodworking, is that I once used a toothpick. Remember those spy movies when they took a key and pressed it into some clay (or whatever) to make a mold of the key? Would that work? Thanks from Houston!

[@CeeJayThe13th]

You can definitely make some very detailed molds with clay (check out Crafsman Steady Craftin) but the problem here is more the material he was using for casting. Apparently, it won't take an edge well enough to use as a chisel.

[@SpeedysWoodshop]

Looks like fun!!!

[@spencerdunn866]

Could you use steel putty to make an edge for an epoxy base you can make? Just a theory

[@ML-mq7zq]

What about epoxy hammer. Or turn some epoxy into a tool on the lathe. Love using my lathe.