Hi Folks,

On Mon, 24 Mar 2003, Leo Lichtman wrote:

>
> There are a few ways to fit the taper to the socket. One way I would
> like to mention is to hold the chisel in your hand, and with the
> wood spinning in the lathe, press it gently onto the taper, until
> you see smoke. Then take a light cut to remove the blackened wood,
> and press it on for another try. In a few cycles, you can produce an
> excellent fit.

I am too chicken to do this, even though my electrically powered lathe
is a rather puny, old one. I get pretty good marking just moving the
chisel socket by hand on the stopped lathe. I expect what you do gives a
really good marking, I am just not brave enough to try...
>
> Of course, the lathe should be steam-powered, or water powered, or
> else it needs to be a pole lathe. Or, you could do what I do, and lie
> a little. :-)
>
A lot of the time we joke around about *l*ctr*c tools, but talking about
using a powered lathe in the restoration of an old hand tool is really
ok(though not dwelled on), IMHO. Oldtools has always had a niche in the
charter for those of us that like to restore and build old or
traditional style tools. I don't think we have ever insisted(at least
since January of 96, when I joined the list) that we not mention or
describe using more modern tools when restoring or making the old tools
we love so much. Ralph or Steve can correct me if I am wrong about that.
It's kind of like I would not talk about turning a table leg on a
powered lathe, but I don't think it is off charter to mention using one
to make and fit a new chisel handle to a lovely old Th. Witherby chisel.

I think I would be a lot happier to try the running chisel fit described
above with a pole lathe however!

Best regards, Mike Lindgren