http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/ Hand tools, clamps, measuring, and all that other stuff en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:31:52 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/images/styles/bgreen/misc/rss.jpg http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/ http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3849-burnt-silk-metal-finish.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:28:38 GMT Pups, & Big Dogs,

Yesterday, Philip sent me a link to a thread in Sawmill Creek. I found it fascinating and hope that you all enjoy it as well.

The thread was started by a man named Stanley Covington and here is his first post:

"
Burnt Silk Metal Finish
Last night I finished working up a set of chisels I purchased here in Tokyo for my son. The kanmuri and kuchigane were originally bright steel with clear lacquer. Very unattractive. I refinished them with a very traditional but little-known treatment using silk that you may find interesting. This is not a smooth, uniform finish like hot blue or rust-blue or paint, but is much more interesting and attractive in my experience for this particular application. It is also easily accomplished. Warning: if you aren't careful, you can burn your fingeys, or even worse, if you do it in her kitchen and the range hood is not very powerful the odor may drive your wife temporarily insane possibly forcing her to use your money to buy an all-expenses paid vacation in Hawaii for some lucky attorney (may they burn in hell forever amen...).

1. Remove the kuchigane and kanmuri.

2. Heat them on a gas stove until just past the point where the metal turns blue. A camp stove outside is safest due to the smell. A propane torch will also work.

3. Holding the metal with pliers (I like needlenose), scrub the metal with a steel or stainless steel brush to remove oxidized particles of paint or oil.

4. Reheat. How hot? Idunno. If it isn't hot enough, the silk will not melt/scorch/stick properly. Too hot and the silk will bubble and crater. Somewhere past blue, the metal will turn greyish. That seems to be a good point.

5. Wad the silk into your off hand thick enough to protect it from the heat. Be careful.

6. Wrap/rotate/wipe the hot metal in the silk. The silk will smoke and scorch. If it doesn't, you don't have it hot enough. Remove the metal before it cools enough for the silk to build up too thick a layer or globs will adhere to it.

7. Quench the metal in water.

8. You can leave the metal as it is, or use a SOFT, FINE bristle steel or stainless steel brush to remove loose particles. A bit more polishing will burnish it. Too much and you will cut through to bare metal. If that happens, simply reheat and reapply.

9. Apply oil to the dry metal to prevent rust. The silk carbon will retain oil without softening, and is a very effective rust-preventative.

Warning: don't use this treatment on heat-treated metal unless you want it to go soft.

I love this finish. Some won't. Give it a try.

Stan"

In addition he showed this picture:



to be continued. :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: :thumbsup2: ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools FredWest http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3849-burnt-silk-metal-finish.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3823-dovetails-pws-2010-a.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 05:37:04 GMT Last weekend was the Perth Wood Show. This ran over three days, Friday through Sunday, and displayed many of the local and inter-state stores,... Last weekend was the Perth Wood Show. This ran over three days, Friday through Sunday, and displayed many of the local and inter-state stores, representing all the tool brands - both power and handtool - as well as a sprinkling of Australian toolmakers.

This year I joined my buddy Chris Vesper at his stand ...



(Chris took these photos, which is why he is no where to be seen).

For those that do not know Chris, he is a wonderful toolmaker with some exceptional tools on offer. His sliding bevel is without exaggeration the Best In The World, and once you use one you will never use another. Ask Chris Schwarz, who raved about this tool. CS is one of Chris' heros, and there is a photo of them together on the wall of the booth (hope you can make it out) ...



And while I have the opportunity, let me plug a couple of Chris' tools I got to use - his new square is brilliant - this has a built in tab to hold it level while marking - and his cutting gauge worked superbly. Check out his website! Chris is also an agent for some of the Glen Drake tooks and I also used one of the brass hammers for chisels. I liked this very much - excellent balance and control, and good authority in a small face.

So where did the dovetails come in? Well Chris had invited me to join him at the stand for a show of cutting dovetails. The plan was that my amazing craftsmanship would draw in the crowds and he would sell all his tools like hotcakes! :) Well, the best laid plans ... I can only think that it was my less-than-scintillating patter ...

In truth we had a lot of fun, and I would like to thank all those that came around to chat. We did actually cut dovetails and I must report that Chris has fantastic handskills. He would cut his in half the time I completed mine. Of course I did lead the way and show him how it was done .. :)

Here is an sneeky action shot snucked by Chris ...



And here are some dovetails we produced. Mine are the two on the left and Chris' are the two on the right...



Next year again Chris?

Regards from Perth

Derek ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools derekcohen http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3823-dovetails-pws-2010-a.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3822-chris-schwarz-tools-sale.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:46:42 GMT If you haven't yet heard, Chris Schwarz is selling off about a hundred items from his personal tool collection.

Go to Lost Art Press Blog for all the details as tools are listed. ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools RONWEN http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3822-chris-schwarz-tools-sale.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3821-moisture-meters.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 00:34:28 GMT Over on another thread Anthony mentioned that he uses a Lignomat Scanner SD Moisture Meter to know what his timber holds. I began thinking about it... Over on another thread Anthony mentioned that he uses a Lignomat Scanner SD Moisture Meter to know what his timber holds. I began thinking about it and being curious as I always am started wondering what other models everyone uses. Buying lumber from various dealers and investing a large amount of time in projects without knowing where the moisture content stands could haunt a person for years after, taking a lot of the fun out of it or costing a lot of money if a professional.
Thoughts? ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools RONWEN http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3821-moisture-meters.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3819-most-beautiful-screwdriver-ever.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:16:54 GMT Check out these tools: Elkhead Tools Store (http://www.elkheadtools.com/toolstore.html) Amazingly beautiful, thoughtfully made, and presumably... Check out these tools: Elkhead Tools Store

Amazingly beautiful, thoughtfully made, and presumably extremely functional.

Fred: I think you need some!

They're going to be at the WIA in Cincinnati. Should be fun. And wallet-emptying! ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools Poto http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3819-most-beautiful-screwdriver-ever.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3806-hovarter-custom-vise-site-live.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:02:59 GMT Len just got his website up & running and is taking pre-orders. Pretty cool! Hovarter Custom Vise | Traditional Appearance ? Contemporary Performance | Hovarter Custom Vise ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools RONWEN http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3806-hovarter-custom-vise-site-live.html http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3805-question-about-corner-chisels.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:22:45 GMT I am going to order a Lie Nielsen corner chisel for my ongoing roubo project. They have three sizes, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2, and I only have enough money for one chisel. Can anyone give me any advice on the most useful size? I know it is probaly personal preference but you guys have been so great with help I though I would ask.

Anthony ]]> Other Non-Festool Tools AnthonyM http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/other-non-festool-tools/3805-question-about-corner-chisels.html