How To Turn A Chisel Handle - FIGURED WOOD

[@smtitmas]

I have neither a lathe nor the IBC chisels, but I'm going to watch the video anyway because with Rob Cosman and his videos you never know what you might learn.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Well at least you got to see a lot of pretty chisels

[@chuckcagle5324]

Really enjoyed these turning videos. Wish you could do some more turning videos, possibly making some bowls. Thanks Rob.

[@claudepotter7763]

I realy like the way you slow down and explain everything

[@mikeshoops]

First, I enjoy all of your videos, and how you honor our vets. I was a medic then PT specialist but didn’t have to go to Viet Nam. I have turned a number of though built handles and can tell you there is an easy way to get perfect sized ends to your work. I drill a blank or two into 2” square of 4/4 stock. I glue it into the middle of a 3/8” dowel. Then I turn the square using a draw barred 3/8” collet for a Morse taper to the circumference of your handle size. I have a Nova live center that accepts 3/8 dowel stock. The same way, I can match the inside diameter of the ferrule. I have of a full set of collets from the Little Machine Shop or you an get them at Crafts Supply. You can do the same by tapping 2x2 stock to your drive center and live center screws. I get a perfect bushing out of wood that last for numerous turnings and keep your handle on the lathe.

[@billqqq]

Dad turned wood until he was 96, and thats how he would have made them, too. Nice job, Rob, and some beautiful wood.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@dale1956ties]

An old-timer I knew years ago taught me to use a piece of a brown paper bag between coats of oil. It seems to burnish it just the right amount to tease some depth out of the finish. I use it between coats of clear lacquer as well and have always liked the results. BTW I do like your style of teaching. You have a great knack for explaining things thoroughly but in a very conversational manner. It's very comfortable to watch and to listen to. Thank you for sharing your expertise the way you do.

[@Goldchucker1]

Very nice Rob. Beautiful wood. Chuck

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks....I really live fiddleback maple

[@tdkrei]

Nice work Mr. Cosman. Keep on smiling.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thank you, I will

[@bigal6667]

Stay safe. Thanks for everything you do for the woodworking community.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks, you too!

[@MrGunner296]

So much fun! Two lathe lessons for me in the same day! I think you are subliminally telling me I need a lathe, Rob. Krissy just looked over my shoulder and said - yes, you need to make us some bowls!

[@ndothan]

I LOVE the holder for the drill press!!!! Great idea!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

easy to make, give it a try

[@jamespeelecarey]

Expertly done. And you will never get that finished from a carbide tool. I would encourage people with less experience than Mr Cosman to get the tool rest out of the way once you are done using tools, for the sake of safety.

[@brianmiller6304]

I agree with Allan Barber below. There are more woodworkers with out a lathe than with one. Hope to get one someday but I'm waiting until I can afford a decent one. Doesn't have to be a really big one but I don't want to deal with quality issues. I did however order some IBC chisels earlier this week, can't wait to get them. Thanks.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Good decisions on both counts!!!!

[@thedustyshamrock]

I just got my lathe last week and have been YouTubing several videos on turning- each video wishing that Rob had one to learn from. Great stuff! I’ll be using these techniques for my own IBC handles. Thanks, Rob. God bless

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

So was the video in time or too late?

[@thedustyshamrock]

Perfect timing. I wanted the lathe for a while, but finishing the PHP push lamp that I’m posting on IG was a little more inspiration. Gave me another reason to get the CBN wheel and grinding jig from ya.

[@thomashuard7402]

Rob, just received the set of IBC chisels (all 7!) yesterday and was thinking that I could substitute some exotics for the handles that came with the chisels. Although the walnut is absolutely beautiful, having different woods would really make them my own and would help me identify them by sight when I am working with them. This video came at the perfect time. Thank all your team members for their working on the sidelines.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I knew you were thinking that so I posted this for you!

[@hacc220able]

Most excellent - thanks.

[@gilbertomanzanilla4333]

You are Very professional Rob...💯

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching the video?

[@glencrandall7051]

Very nice handle Rob. That maple is stunning. If you were going to make very many I think it would be no problem to make a mandrel so that you could size the ends quickly and accurately. It would be exactly the same a turning pens. Thank you for sharing and have a healthy day.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Yes, I agree.

[@alecreid9983]

G'day Rob, thank you for sharing your skills with us, you videos are extreemly informative and a joy to watch, I look forward to them with great anticipation. You have a natural and expert way of describing things as you go without missing a beat. I not only am watching your work, I also look around your workshop as you are working to see how you have set it up, great work. I have loved all aspects of wood all of my life, I am quite a bit older than you and it is good to see that somebody else never thinks of any piece of timber as scrap. I have 10 grand children and 2 of my grand daughters are taking woodwork as a subject at school, they are making their Pop a very proud man, they use the equipment in my workshop, children are our future and life would be very empty without them, they watch your teachings as well so thank you again. When you are talking I detect a slight accent every now and then, sounds Scot to me but I am probably wrong?. Best Regards, Alexander Reid. Sydney, Australia.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

They have taken shop out of the schools up here. You guys are so smart to keep it in. They are the future.

[@paultay23]

Thanks for that.. first time i have seen your on a lathe...nice tip about the shims and squaring the ends.. Cheers Paul in the UK

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad to help

[@MANJITSINGH-ko2oi]

Hi rob my son so happy with ur chisels that he will order a set once he saves money. lol. I can help him as he sas he wants me to turn handles for him. I love the jig u use to hold blank in the drill press. thank u.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Easy to make the jig, teach your son to turn handles

[@MANJITSINGH-ko2oi]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking that's cool. hopefully he starts to do wood turning swell.

[@rusty1991100]

Really loving the videos Rob! It’s giving me the urge to dig my lathe outta storage!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

DO it!!!

[@brandon152lee]

So satisfying. Can't wait until I'm able to get my own house and get started wood working!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Well, with hand tools only you can do stuff in your apartment or condo or what ever and not disturb anyone.

[@athmostafa2462]

Nice handle looking sir , good tools good result indeed 👌 .

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Thanks 👍

[@austincraft327]

beautiful lathe, green looks good in a wood shop. i usually do use a pen mandrel rod with bushings to do handles, but your right it can be tricky sometimes.

[@michaelcocroft9700]

That's awesome! I just bought a lathe. Keep on with the lathe videos.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

yes I want to but this one is not getting many views. What do you think the issue is?

[@allanbarber4038]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking My guess would be that your audience is mostly 'hand tool' users and people looking for wood turning videos/instruction will be looking at other platforms/channels. Plus I know of several several people that own a job-site or contractor grade table saw (like I do) but do not own a wood turning lathe like I do.

[@michaelcocroft9700]

Put woodturning in the title, for starters. That'd get it in the search for non-subs. Also call it "Turn your first tool handle!" Like the other guy said, your base may not be into woodturning. If you keep making appealing content for it, that may change.

[@norm_olsen]

She's a beautiful one! That's what I love adout IBC chisels... No fixed handle opens up a world of possibilities, not only in the type of wood you choose, but also in the turning profiles (could make them extra chunky or more on the lean side). Have you ever experimented with turning resin impregnated wood for extra heft? Would that even work?) All in all, this makes me want to get a lathe now lol. Great video showing the ins and outs to creating a custom handle!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Not for the IBC handles but I turn resin impregnated wood all the time. Resin impregnated would work work fine for these chisels, I just have not done it..

[@Dombomb25]

Hey rob wanted to know if you sell the ibc chisel without handles

[@roofermarc1]

These ibc's look like some nice chisels

[@chriscroteau4626]

That is a beautiful handle. Haven’t had the pleasure of turning yet. Looking forward to learning how.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

do you have IBC chisels?

[@ronh9384]

Really enjoyed the video Rob. The chisel handles looked awesome and that piece of Fiddleback Maple is gorgeous!! Ron

[@adrianluica6960]

I have never turned wood but I wish for. It looks so addictive. And I also wish to have a week with you in your shop :D that would probably be like 3 years in a school. Love your work. Congratulations.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Sign up for one of our Training the Hand Workshops

[@castle5711]

Beautiful!

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Now I want to turn some more handles, got lots of amazing stock to turn. Rob’s going is going to get some gems soon!!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I have seen your turning, Stick to planing. Maybe you should try cabinet making (Everyone else: Ammed is a good friend, so I have to give him a hard time. He turned the chisel handles in the beginning of this video)

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

RobCosman.com 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@nickcoulter973]

How did you finish your handles Ammed? I want to make copy what you did with the osage orange.

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

@@nickcoulter973 Hey Nick, I do not put on any finish. I will sand up to 2000 grit after that I take a strap of leather and I burnish the wood to a high polish at a high speed on the lathe. I will then apply Renaissance Wax to the chisel handle, the wood is hot from the burnishing which melts the wax into the handle, I then take a rag and burnish it again to a high polish. It works great, if you have never burnished wood to a polish give it a try you will be amazed. Have fun and always be careful!!!

[@davidpisarski5620]

Another great video Rob! I really like these quick project videos.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We are going to try and keep them going. We need project suggestions. Got any?

[@davidpisarski5620]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Mortise and tenon joints would be nice to see.

[@lanecobb4150]

Rob, not sure if this is exactly what you had in mind when you spoke about a skew chisel lathe video a few months back but I loved it. More lathe vids please! 👍

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Appreciate it. Not getting very many views on this video though,lower than normal. Any idea why?

[@lanecobb4150]

RobCosman.com Well, maybe because you are best known as the hand plane and dovetail guy, not as lathe expert/turner guy? Perhaps because chisels and their handles aren’t as sexy as hand planes and dovetails? Lord knows it wasn’t for lack of quality and content. All that was right up there as usual. And I for one was glad to see something other than planing and sawing dovetails. Refreshing it was. 🤷‍♂️

[@inspectr1949]

I see now that you have a set of bushings for making these handles, are you marketing them?

[@davidpalmer5166]

I've have a set of Stanley 740 socket chisels from the 40s, (no tang). What would be a good wood to use? They currently have oak with thick leather mallet surface. Thanks for ALL you do.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Since your are pounding on the wood with a socket chisel you need a tough wood. Hornbeam, hard maple, European beech, Whit Oak, hickory, ash all would work well

[@ksross08]

Thanks Rob for this. I think you just talked me into replacing my handles on my chisels!!!

[@keith121261]

So where do you get the chisels from rob cosman

[@richardgoebel226]

I have a mini-lathe so I do mostly turning between centers as you are doing in the video. As far as how many RPM i have simple rules: The slowest speed you can safely and cleanly cut the wood. Sand at the slowest speed to minimize accidental heat build up which can crack exotic woods.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Good rules, i like them

[@dougmanter8002]

I'm glad you mentioned it. I was going to suggest that you have some bushings made. Similar to those used turning pens.

[@inspectr1949]

Exactly bushings specifically made for these particular chisels made for any basic pen turning mandrel and then Rob could market them as well.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We have been considering it for years

[@felipehuibonhoa7338]

Thank you for this video. Learned a lot.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markschultz9227]

Love the idea of turning these handles. Suggestion...have your machinist create bushings for both ends to be able to turn down to finished diameters of top and bottom. Then offer them for sale so we all can turn handles for these chisels. Thanks again!!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

That has been on our to do list for a long time. Hopefully we will get to it soon

[@michaelshick4612]

Hey Rob, what are the CFM’s on your Vacuum? Looks very strong!!!

[@susanlucas3860]

michael from brisbane australia. I love your videos, i would be interested in seeing how you sharpen your skew chisel ?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I will put it on the video to do list

[@ottomaselli7762]

Hi, whats you opinion on turning resin impregnated wood ?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

We like and use them

[@thiagotiberio838]

Wonderful work, Rob, thank you... and more lathe videos, please!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

BUt we are not getting a lot of views on this video...any clue why?

[@thiagotiberio838]

RobCosman.com that’s interesting-I could only guess that either 1) not as many people own a lathe, or 2) chisel owners may not want to replace their handles. The first you could test with a poll, while the latter could be tested by posting a lathe project video, something with a more popular end product, perhaps... Anyway, hope viewership increases, because your videos are the very best!

[@jeffdutton1910]

do you find you get a better cut with the skew in one direction vs. the other?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

No both directions are equal, if you are comfortable enough handling the skew in both directions

[@jeffdutton1910]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking the only place in my workshop where I can stand upright is between the ceiling joists...that severely limits the amount that I can adjust my stance. Comfort is a very precious commodity. :)

[@Mark-jd1fr]

You should develop an in person turning class. I would jump at that. Seattle wood be a great place to break it in.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Well I dont do a ton of turning I prefer the cabinet making and use my turning to make knobs and such for furniture

[@daveprusmack2925]

Would it be possible for you to do a video or put out plans for your tool cabinets? I’d love to build my own but I’m not at the point of skill to just go on estimation. Thank you and thanks for your lessons

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

That is on my online workshop. You can join and then you have access to the entire build

[@ga5743]

Sweet looking handle Rob curious to know why you don’t put oil on the ends of the wood?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

You could if you wanted inside the hole you drilled too, but it wont be seen

[@johnhollick5672]

What oil was it you used on chisel handle please?

[@MrAtfenn]

i had a question all ready to go and you answered it for me. i've been turning alot lately and really enjoyed getting a couple things reinforced. i may have missed it if you said but what is that vibration i was hearing caused by?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

The vibration is caused by the turning stock not yet being perfectly round, its slightly oval therefor the chisel vibrates if you lay the chisel on the stock. As the oval shape spins around, it vibrates the chisel and this indicates you have not yet achieved a round cylinder

[@rongkaizhao7416]

Where can you buy the chisel cores?

[@Scatterpattern]

Hi Rob. Have you turned any handles for your Lie Nielsen mortise chisels?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

No I have not . Socket chisel handles are a little more tricky in that you have to match the handle cone perfectly to the socket or you wont get a good fit.

[@thedustyshamrock]

Where do you get the 9.6mm drill bits?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

McMaster-Carr

[@thedustyshamrock]

RobCosman.com thank you

[@mwaltaf1]

Where do you purchase the hardware?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

robcosman.com/collections/chisels

[@hugoakerlund5114]

Saving up for some chisels now. But I can't decide between the IBC and Lie nielsen chisels. But quick question, there's nothing stopping us from making completely custom handles for the IBC chisels right? As long as you accommodate for the aluminium parts?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Well you probable need a lathe, but no there is nothing stopping you. That's the beauty of the IBC chisels. LN makes great chisels and products and I recommend them. I just dont think most folks like the socket chisel design as the handles keep falling out of the socket.

[@darinhalvorsen]

I know the song and dance about safety gets old, but I am wondering about the lathe. I get the no loose clothes and flying debris if the wood breaks. I’m curious about the chisel in the hand. Is it common/possible for the chisel to be grabbed by the wood and be torn out of hand? I heard your recommendation about holding the tool lightly, so I wondered. Thanks for your videos, Rob. Between you and Paul, I feel like I have second and third dads.

[@waterfordrs22]

A run back with a skew chisel can make you jump out of your skin, but for the most part, it’s more bark than bite. When planing you have a shearing angle cutting long grain, the fiber isn’t fully supported relative to end grain. Also, whether a planing or peeling cut, the tool is presented at a high cutting angle, as in slightly above the centerline, that makes it tough to get a real leverage catch. The kind of catch you would get with a bowl gouge turning face work is more dangerous. If he cut with a part of the edge too far from the fulcrum, the tool would run backward in the opposite direction, basically cutting a thread. The fulcrum is where the tool touches the rest. The catch is pretty much forcing the tool to rotate on axis, until the part of the edge being used to cut comes to rest on the fulcrum.

[@waterfordrs22]

With respect to holding the tool lightly, if you use a death grip, you’re less safe and I’d you’re tense, that can show up in your work. Most turning tools, the handle is braced to your side. Your index finger acts as a depth collar on the tool rest and you can move your body laterally, parallel to the bedways to move the tool. Good footwork Is helpful.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Ditto all that Robert said

[@TheHardwoodGrove]

Hi Rob this is from the Bell family

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Hello bells, you guys ring my Bell!

[@blueknight9748]

when making these handles ,,,does the grain direction matter?????

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Only for looks. You want to orient the grain or figure for the most pleasing outcome.

[@1deerndingo]

That's one of the beauties of those chisels - you can personalise them. I notice that in just this video you can take close shavings on a lathe, a shooting board and a band saw. It must leave your better half wondering why you haven't been able to take a shave from the face yet? :-)

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

She loves the mountain man look

[@clemensmartin3896]

Kind of curious why you chose not to burnish the handle with shavings before the oil

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I don't think its necessary to get the look I want

[@inspectr1949]

Had that exact lathe made by General in Canada for years so sorry I sold it, in the turning world someone is always coming up with a better mouse trap so it seems but not in this case.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

They turn up pretty regularly on the Canadian Government surplus site

[@BobBlarneystone]

That's a handsome modification for those chisels. For some tools, I texture the handles with tiny annular grooves by using a nutmeg grater This gives an instant positive grip for the hand but doesn't feel 'grabby' or clumsy. Also I advise removing the toolrest when sanding.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Both great tips.

[@Quagmire88]

I need to practice more with the skew. I can use it pretty well but always end up getting a nasty catch at the very end of the project haha. Its a shame people go right to scraping. There is no skill in that and they never learn how to turn.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

The skew is similar to a plane blade on wood slicing the fiber leaving a smooth surface, Scraping is similar to rough sandpaper on a piece of wood.

[@TheHardwoodGrove]

We miss you

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

XOXO !!!!!!

[@Zhendroh]

where do you get threaded chisel blades?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

For sale on our site rob Cosman.com

[@duncdonut]

Alyooomineeeeeyum cap?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Wow you spelled it correctly!!!!!!

[@carlantaya175]

You could have the guts of your handle 3d printed, put it in your handle and when cutting down to it there's no risk of hurting your chisel.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

That WAY outside my technical capabilities. 3D printing? I can barely use my iphone!!!!!!

[@carlantaya175]

Says the man who teaches people to make any number of 3D objects out of material that's properties change with the weather.

[@АлександрЧумак-м2о]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@taylormedia1000]

Absolutely beautiful, but NOT easy

[@tnekkc]

IBC chisels look pricy to me. I make a chisel handle every day..

[@jungbechtospk40]

Woodglut scripts contain most of the woodworking plans you can find.

[@bennym1956]

Sure, let me spend $1,000s on equipment to turn a chisel handle...makes sense giggling

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Well if you’d only like to turn a single chisel handle I recommend getting a membership to a community shop that has a lathe. Isn’t turning something you’d like to be able to do?

[@diederichabels8119]

I did the same with Stodoys plans :)