I have a couple of patternmakers chisels and gouges - perfectly flat
backs - 20-22 degree cutting angle and they never see any timber
harder or more knotted than was used for making patterns, soft even
grained etc  (I use them on Thuja or Aust Red Cedar and they have to
be sharp)

I have just finished framing up some benches in old recycled
concretealyptus (some of it was Corymbia - spotted gum and knowing
where it came from was probably cut around 1860) and I was tempted to
use a jackhammer on some of the rebates.  Mortices were drilled out
useing a brace with 14inch throw and it was bl**dy hard work..  How
to quickly tell if the snail on your augur bit is single or dual lead
- get started with a twin lead in this stuff and grind to a very quick
halt.

This timber will never see those sort of chisels but good quality
bevel edge or firmers with 30 or 35 degree bevels will handle it

Neil

----- Original Message -----
From: "paul womack" 
To:"Michael Blair" , "oldtools porch" 
Cc:
Sent:Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:59:49 +0000
Subject:Re: [OldTools] Thin paring chisels

 Michael Blair wrote:

 > For really thin shavings, I have several Berg and Sandvik chisels
that I
 > grind to 15 degrees. They'll take it and hold it in my experience.

 What woods are you using? I'm guessing that
 experience wouldn't hold true for our
 Australian friends ;-)

 BugBear

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