OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

251781 JAMES THOMPSON <oldmillrat@m...> 2014‑11‑22 Birdcage awl
A question from another galoot caused me to look into a drawer this morning
where I saw a few tapershank screwdriver blades. It then occurred to me that a
tapershank birdcage awl ought to work even better than one in the shape of a
screwdriver. A brace works much faster than a screwdriver. So I ground one. And
it’s pretty cool. See the pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November222014?authu
ser=0&feat=directlink-----------------------------------------------------------
-------------">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November222014
?authuser=0&feat=directlink-----------------------------------------------------
-------------------
251790 Brent Kinsey <brentpmed@c...> 2014‑11‑22 Re: Birdcage awl
James, the handle with the "spider knot" is a knockout!

Sent from my iPad

On Nov 22, 2014, at 12:21 PM, JAMES THOMPSON  wrote:

> A question from another galoot caused me to look into a drawer this morning
where I saw a few tapershank screwdriver blades. It then occurred to me that a
tapershank birdcage awl ought to work even better than one in the shape of a
screwdriver. A brace works much faster than a screwdriver. So I ground one. And
it’s pretty cool. See the pictures.
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November222014?aut
huser=0&feat=directlink---------------------------------------------------------
---------------">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November2220
14?authuser=0&feat=directlink---------------------------------------------------
---------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
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251811 Derek Cohen <derekcohen@i...> 2014‑11‑24 Re: Birdcage awl
James posts his design for a birdcage awl ...

https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November222014?authu
ser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Novemb
er222014?authuser=0&feat=directlink


James, I recently posted a design of my own birdcage awl on my website. Hardly
an original shape, but I've not seen it used before here. It may be interesting
to debate the design of this very simple tool.

Pic of mine:   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl_h
tml_m2e279511.jpg">http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl_html_m
2e279511.jpg

And a link to the article:  http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/
BirdcageAwl.html">http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl.html

Regards from Perth

Derek
251812 JAMES THOMPSON <oldmillrat@m...> 2014‑11‑24 Re: Birdcage awl
Nice design, and well executed. I wish you had given a link for me to buy one of
the Czech blanks.

I have made a number of the square shank awls for gifts. I used old square shank
screwdrivers for the blade stock ( I like repurposing old stuff), and the design
I used was a handle much like my chisel handles. Now that I've seen yours, I
think I'll make one like it with 4 flats around the handle, just to be
different.

> On Nov 24, 2014, at 6:30 AM, Derek Cohen  wrote:
> 
> 
> James posts his design for a birdcage awl ...
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/November222014?aut
huser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Nove
mber222014?authuser=0&feat=directlink
> 
> 
> James, I recently posted a design of my own birdcage awl on my website. Hardly
an original shape, but I've not seen it used before here. It may be interesting
to debate the design of this very simple tool.
> 
> Pic of mine:   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl
_html_m2e279511.jpg">http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl_html
_m2e279511.jpg
> 
> And a link to the article:  http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTool
s/BirdcageAwl.html">http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/BirdcageAwl.html<
/a>
> 
> Regards from Perth
> 
> Derek
> 
> 
> 
>
251814 John Holladay <docholladay0820@g...> 2014‑11‑24 Re: Fwd: Re: Birdcage awl
I'm interested in hearing about the process of grinding the point on these
tools.   Are you simply working from eye,  or are you using some sort of
jig in order to get the taper uniform on all four sides?  Also,  are you
attempting to get any sort of a hollow ground effect on the flats?

Doc
251815 JAMES THOMPSON <oldmillrat@m...> 2014‑11‑24 Re: Re: Birdcage awl
Butting in here...  When I grind a screwdriver blade  (the tapered end of the
blade), here is how I do it. I set the tool rest on the grinder to  produce a
slight hollow grind which is pretty much centered on the stock. I press down on
the flat with one finger to keep the stock correctly aligned with the wheel and
flat on the rest as I move the blade back and forth. It goes without mentioning
that the wheel must have a flat face. I cool the piece often because my finger
gets hot. I grind the sides to match the existing taper.

I grind one edge of the flat blade to match the taper of the original blade.
Then flip it over and grind the other edge. When I have 4 matching sides there
is a small square blunt ended point remaining. I sharpen that on an oil stone.
Then I sharpen all four "flats" on oilstones until all 4 corners are sharp. If
you have blued the blade while grinding it, you will need to retemper it.

The end result is a long fine tapered point. I use one of these tools to mark
the centers of my stock before putting said stock int the lathe.

It's easy to make one of these awls, and there is a great sense of self-
satisfaction every time you use it. And they make nice gifts.


> On Nov 24, 2014, at 7:05 AM, John Holladay  wrote:
> 
> I'm interested in hearing about the process of grinding the point on these
> tools.   Are you simply working from eye,  or are you using some sort of
> jig in order to get the taper uniform on all four sides?  Also,  are you
> attempting to get any sort of a hollow ground effect on the flats?
> 
> Doc
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
> 
> To change your subscription options:
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
> 
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archi
ve/faq.html
> 
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/">http://swingleydev.com/archive/
> 
> OldTools@r...
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

Recent Bios FAQ