i have a set of Irwin Marples Chisels and i am curious if the plastic
handles can be removed and new wooden handles be installed?
has anyone ever removed the handles from this exact model chisel?
i have a set of Irwin Marples Chisels and i am curious if the plastic
handles can be removed and new wooden handles be installed?
has anyone ever removed the handles from this exact model chisel?
Member
I made new handles for a couple sets of Record Blue Chips and suspect theres no substantial difference in this regard between the two. As I said I turned my own handles so am unsure whether you could buy them ready made...I sort of doubt it. Making them wasn't difficult. I used bronze bearing material (what I could get a t my local h/w) for the ferrules which are plenty stout and look good. To remove the old handles I think I sawed them off and split what remained. I wasn't difficult once most of the mass was gone.
...we could not handle the adze with half his skill:the improvement of tools had lowered the need for personal ability. W. Rose
Contributor
Why do you want to change the handles? If one of the handles broke, or if you just want the experience, I'd say "go ahead". But I wouldn't invest a lot of time and effort into a set of Irwin chisels. They're decent chisels but not generally considered "top-of-the-line". It'd be something like over-improving a house in a bad neighborhood. You'll never get your money back.
You could purchase some older, good quality, chisels without handles - you'd get them at a discount because of the lack of handles. Swan, Whiterby and a few other makers would be good candidates.
Mike
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.
Member
To me, the Marples/Irwin handles are a bit too long when using a mallet. I cut about 1" off of a couple of mine and it improved the balance when I'm wacking away at 'um. They were a great set of starter chisels and I still use mine frequently.
-Jerry
Contributor
I replaced the handle on one and also modified the blade ..
Remove the handle (just wack it off) and you will see this ...
The end result was ..
Articles to read: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...ailchisel.html
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...tTreating.html
Regards from Perth
Derek
Member
OK Derek,
After reading your post, I sauntered downstairs, wacked the shortened blue plastic handles off a couple Marples chisels, and replaced them with wooden handles that I had saved from another project. Admittedly, the chisels do look better, but the cool thing is that they fit my hand much more comfortably. Not bad for the 15 minutes time spent!
-Jerry
Contributor
Pictures, Jerry, pictures!
Regards from Perth
Derek
Member
OK. Picture.....Originally Posted by Derek Cohen
Pictures, Jerry, pictures!
Regards from Perth
Derek
Contributor
Very nice!
Regards from Perth
Derek
[OP]
Member
those both look really good!
i really like dereks, the way the handle blends right into the chisel.
derek did you make your handles or buy them?
Contributor
Kevin, all you need to do is visit around Derek's site a bit and you'll find that he def made his handles. It would be well worth your while to check his site out when you have the time as it is truely an awesome resource. Thanks Derek for providing such great information!
Member
Amazing transformation in appearance, Derek...
I know my Marples don't compete with my L-N's but seeing your beauties makes me wonder if their "rating" would be higher if they came with such beautiful handles. You know, the subjective portion of any analysis... must be the engineer in me...
One can never have too many planes and chisels... or so I'm learning!!
Excellent results and you've made them more comfortable to boot.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Member
Here is another option. No lathe required. I find these very comfortable and will be replacing the blue plastic handles on some Stanley 5002's with these.
Last edited by Nixon Roger; 05-09-2011 at 2:37 PM.
Roger Nixon
Contributor
Stop it already, I don't have room for a lathe. You are making me want to start turning wood handles. I have some old chisels that are similar in make but I hate the handles.
Great site Derek....
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