Best masonry chisels according to redditors
We found 34 Reddit comments discussing the best masonry chisels. We ranked the 8 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 34 Reddit comments discussing the best masonry chisels. We ranked the 8 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Product link. Also this is regular price. Amazon likes to post inflated MSRP prices no one ever actually charges. Price Zombie will confirm in a few seconds
These are some of the best entry-level options:
If you want to spend a small amount more and get chisels for life, consider these. They are shockingly inexpensive for how good they are.
You don't need to go to L-N/Veritas/Blue Spruce and spend $75+ apiece on the world's greatest chisels to get good results. You can cut perfect dovetails with any of these.
For dovetails, I mostly use 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4". On smaller pieces, sometimes just 1/4" and 1/2". For casework, the 3/4" chisel comes out a lot more.
When clearing tail baselines, I like my chisel to be slightly more than half of the length of the baseline. This way, I get the whole thing in two strokes per side, and both strokes have plenty of knife line available for registration.
Also, if you are going for super skinny pins, especially in thin stock, you may need to go smaller than 1/4". If your smallest chisel is 1/4", make sure that when you lay out your dovetails, the pin sockets are at least that wide. If you find yourself bruising the sides of your tails because you don't have room to maneuver, it's a sign that you need a smaller chisel or a larger pin.
It's also useful to have a much wider chisel than 1/2" for paring and strengthening knife lines. Something in the 1"-2" range. This is less dovetailing-specific, but dovetails aren't the only joinery involved in making boxes.
As for other tools:
Depending on what type of stone you want to work with will define the tools you will need. No matter what you will need safety goggles and a half decent respirator especially if you use any power tools.
Soap stone is incredibly soft and easy to work with and chisel kits are inexpensive.
For harder stone you can look at some better chisels that are still affordable. You can move up in quality once you want to commit. A 3lb sledge and wooden mallet will come in handy.
A rotary tool with diamond bits can also be fun to play with. Goggles, respirator and a spray bottle filled with water are needed.
Start hammering away. You will make lots of mistakes but eventually you will start to see the grain in some stones that will show you what can and cannot be done.
Good luck.
Stanley Sweethearts - https://smile.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488082816&sr=8-1&keywords=stanley+sweetheart
$82 any day of the week. . . best bang for your buck.
That being said, I use Lie Nielsen chisels and I wouldn't trade them for anything. . . a good set of Japanese chisels would be tempting but they run upwards of $900. . . and they're typically metric.
I own a set of Narex mortising chisels and I've see some of their bench chisels. They are ok. . . but pretty brittle. . . and when I held a Lie-Nielsen mortising chisel I immediately wanted to sell my Narex set for just that one chisel. . . however, they're not very easy to sell since they are so cheap to begin with. . . so I'll just save up.
I recently removed some brick from my fireplace and I used this chisel:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NIFBA8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And this hammer:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I33UDUS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I was using some old chisels and a claw hammer and it was getting the job done, but the way I look at it, if I'm going to save us a bunch of money fixing the house myself then I'm going to treat myself with tools. These two tools made a significant difference.
The chisel is a no brainer for the price, sped things up a lot because of the large size, less splintering of what was there, etc. The large size will help you get between the mortar and the current brick you don't want to disturb.
The sledge is optional. Everyone has claw hammers and it gets the work done. But I was amazed at how much more powerful a couple of pounds are when you're driving chisels and knocking out bricks instead of just pounding nails. Don't know how I never owned a sledge hammer before now.
I have multiple sets of chisels but I find I go back to my Stanley 750 (the modern ones) often. You can get a set of 4 for under 100 on amazon. Quality stuff. I use the Paul Sellers technique to chop mortises. I isn't as quick as some but it sure feels good once completed. Like reliving an ancient technique.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8
This set of Stanley Sweetheart chisels is on sale for $83 which is a really good deal. Normally the chisels run around $30 per unit at a place like rockler. I'd put them a step above chisels like Narex (which aren't "bad" by any shot) but still below a brand like Ashley Isles or Pfeil.
Great set if you're looking to upgrade from something like harbor freight chisels.
If I were in your position, I would definitely shoot for a big ticket item such as the sawstop PCS (36" T-glide) with 1.75hp motor. That will eat up your entire budget (plus $219 more). I cannot imagine a hobbyist woodworker who would not be happy with it.
OR you can do lots of little stuff: (take out the things he may already have)
Sharpening: this this this this and this
Chisels: here
Japanese saw: this and this
Caliper: here
Exceptional quality hand plane set every woodworker would love to have if they don't have it already: here. Conversely, you can get the Lie Nielsen 60-1/2 block plane and get the #4 and #5 from Lee Valley (I prefer their version).
If he doesn't have a planer, this is a great one: here
As for festool products, I would highly recommend the Rotex 150 with Dust collector combination
I'm sure i'm missing a couple of stuff here and there but I hope the list helps you get started.
I would second the Stanley Sweetheart chisels as a good, affordable set of chisels. I think they perform great, feel good in the hand, and even look like a quality tool. Amazon has a great deal on the set of four most commonly used sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482187654&sr=8-1&keywords=stanley+chisels
What does the PriceZombie bot say about the 8 piece set:
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-793-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B0051PCQ7Y
If you bash it with hammer and chisel, it will probably break in a pattern similar to the other one beside it. That might be fine, but agate/ chalcedony is generally rather resistant to impact, and it doesn't always break predictably.
Two possibilities: Use a diamond drill bit and water to drill small holes, insert feather and wedges to split it along a straight line.
Or, search out a rock and mineral club with a slab saw, or a local lapidary. Search etsy by region, there tend to be a lot of lapidaries in areas where agate is found.
Small agate can be cut with a diamond blade on a tile saw, but this is way beyond that size.
They have Stanley 750 series stamped on them. http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Series-Socket/dp/B004TK0IG8
I can't comment on the ones in your pic, but I bought the ones above it (you can just barely see the bottom of them) and it was not worth the $10 or whatever I spent. They are softer metal and now essentially garbage for me. I next bought the Stanley Sweetheart 4 piece set for $75 and they are outstanding. (If that's too much for you FWW says these are really good for like $40.) So like I said, can't comment on these but in general, with tools, you pay for what you get. I'd rather spend $75 on something that will last my lifetime than $1 on something that will cost me time to replace, will fail when I need it, doesn't do the job quite as well.
I use Stanley Sweethearts and they're great.
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https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8
This is the chisel set I'm heavily considering. Would also appreciate recommendations from experienced guys/gals.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8
The new stanley sweethearts are also worth looking into IMO https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8
Here are some other brands to look at: http://www.startwoodworking.com/sites/default/files/tool-test-bench-chisels.pdf
Keep in mind that with higher priced chisels you're often paying for it being closer to set up out of the box, and quality of the steel in terms of holding and edge vs ease of sharpening.
Second candleww that Ashley Iles are really sweet. Watch how quickly Dave Barron sets one up for use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENqMrvsR3q8
Lastly, I've seen vintage chisels perform just as well as new premium chisels once they are restored. Brands like Butcher, Witherby, Berg, Stanley are great. There are lots of videos on restoring chisels out there, and it isn't hard to do.
Which stanley's are you looking at? I have these and I love them. I prefer the handle shape/size of these over the narex. Both have great reviews. I never considered the Irwin chisels because I didn't like the handle.
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TK0IG8 shoot the price went up on them by about 10 dollars since i last bought them, but they're very good chisels to have. You really don't need a full set of 8 of them.
i'd recommend getting the 1/8th http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-781-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B004TQGHOE/ref=pd_sim_469_2/188-9502197-5612530?ie=UTF8&dpID=21S6-4OQCyL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=18XVZDRFP6Q1YPHKAX8G
chisel too for getting into tight little corners and what not.
Thanks for the info.
I feel I'm treading water here flip flopping back and forth.
So this is what I have come up with.
Sharpening:
https://www.amazon.com/DMT-D6EF-Dia-.../dp/B000GD3V3E
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PVXRJ0..._ZkHazb3N619JN
Chisels:
Stanley 16-791 Sweetheart 750 Series Socket Chisel Set, Brown, 4 - Piece https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TK0IG8..._MlHazbXRPYNVR
Included the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1", add the 3/8" in separate.
That or the Narex set of 4 and the 5/8 from LV.
For some reason the Narex set looks more "robust" as the hornbeam handle on the sweetheart seems fragile...but after looking around more everyone says the sweetheart chisels are better than the narex. They seem to be identical to the ones on LV as on amazon for 30% less.
Craftsman Table Saw Model # $150
Shop Fox model #G8826 fence system $275
Freud P410 Premier Fusion 10-Inch 40 Tooth Hi-ATB General Purpose Saw Blade $80
Wilton 15” drill press $100
Parks 12” planer $600 This requires a little road trip
Atlas 6” jointer $150 Model #
Delta 10” bandsaw, Powerkraft radial arm saw and Rockwell contractor table saw $200
I would resell one of the tablesaws Just pick the nicest one and sell the other.
Oneway Multi Gauge $97 This is for setting the jointer perfectly and the dial indicator can be removed to make planer setting jig as described by Bob Vaughan (see youtube) or fine woodworking 107.
Angle block set for machine setup $30
Bessey Bar Clamps $14x3 plus maybe $10x3 for bars Say $75 total
Stanley sweetheart chisel set of 4 $80
This leaves $243 left for misc things like drill bits, planer/jointer knives or sharpening F style clamps a cordless drill, random orbit sander, sand paper ect.
Great.. Now I want to save my money and buy one, just so I can go around breaking up big rocks into little ones :-) But I'm afraid the budget is more likely to support: http://smile.amazon.com/Wedges-Shims-Pkg-Sets/dp/B00383GNCU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452887239&sr=8-1&keywords=feathers+and+wedge (They work too, but are more work.)
This is what I did. I got a used rotary hammer off craigslist for about the same price of a 4 hour rental and got this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WA99IW/
I'm like you. I hate working on someone else's clock. Tore out tile in my kitchen and dining room.
In my experience, scraping attachments for reciprocating saws are too flimsy and the blade travel on these saws are too much for easy handling in tile removal. Mishandling can easily result in broken blades. Reciprocating saws are good for what they are made to do: sawing. Rotary hammers are good for what they are made to do: hammering. See the trend?
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-791-Sweetheart-Socket-Chisel/dp/B0051PCQ7Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543097182&sr=8-2&keywords=stanley%2Bchisel%2Bset%2Bsweetheart&th=1
Keep an eye on camel camel camel
Also on amazon.
I ordered them off of Amazon. [here's the link](http://www.Stanley.com/ 16-793 Sweetheart 750 Series Socket Chisel 8 Piece Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051PCQ7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_jZgTzbJB9H7CF)
I'll call the number provided for Stanley on Monday and see what they think.
Thanks for asking the question because I was wondering about decent chisels on a budget. I'll probably pick up https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TK0IG8/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1JK4X4CB9PRRD&colid=XSR4TUQ1ES94&psc=1 based on the recommendations. Hope the BF loves his gift whatever you get!
That interestingly enough doesn't seem like cement board, and more like particle board - this is actually advantageous to you as that's easier to pop off, and should have drained a lot of moisture out of the glue when it was laid so as to make it even easier. Would definitely recommend a wonderbar. Would also consider a wide headed cold chisel such as this https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-328-4-Inch-2-Inch-Bi-Material/dp/B000NIBFSU/ref=br_lf_m_hxd8u47vjd4f485_img?_encoding=UTF8&s=hi
If you're really struggling, then perhaps get a hold of a hammer drill (basically a mini jackhammer) with a tile masonry removal bit.
This sort of job isn't easy, it is time consuming, it is hard work. The right tools make it easier but a lot more expensive. The trick is to get under the tiles and pop them off, or to vibrate them so they pop off in the case of a hammer drill. Make sure you wear a respirator and earmuffs when/where necessary. The dust from this kind of stuff is exceedingly bad for your lungs.