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Thread: Rehabbing socketed chisels --- handles w/ traditional leather washers

  1. 09-11-2016, 7:20 PM #1
    William Adams
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    Rehabbing socketed chisels --- handles w/ traditional leather washers

    Just picked up a tool chest

    LcUdqV8h.jpg

    First candidate for research and restoration is two chisels (and a spare handle)

    U6LCbz9h.jpg

    Can't make out a name or insignia for all the rust. Planning on getting Evapo-rust and dropping them in.

    Debating on re-using the original handles or making new ones to match another chisel I've already re-handled.

    Any concern for collectability? Historical value? Or just users? The top one seems to be a mortise chisel which I'm very glad of since I've wanted one for a while now.
    Last edited by William Adams; 09-11-2016 at 7:49 PM.
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  3. 09-11-2016, 8:10 PM #2
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    Jim Koepke
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    More pictures of the top chisel would be necessary to say whether or not it is a mortise chisel.

    The handles look like one that came on one of my Swan chisels.

    jtk
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  4. 09-11-2016, 9:11 PM #3
    William Adams
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    This sufficient? Or is another view necessary?

    yiTwkW9h.jpg

    Thanks for the Swan lead!
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  5. 09-12-2016, 1:42 AM #4
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    Jim Koepke
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    Quote Originally Posted by William Adams View Post
    This sufficient? Or is another view necessary?

    yiTwkW9h.jpg

    Thanks for the Swan lead!
    Yep, that does look to be made heavy enough for mortising.

    jtk
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  6. 09-12-2016, 8:50 PM #5
    William Adams
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    Thanks! They've gone into a container of Evapo-rust --- guess I'll just clean up the handles w/ a knife where necessary, then wash off and then refinish w/ walnut oil and beeswax.
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  7. 09-12-2016, 9:52 PM #6
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    Jim Koepke
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    Depending on what kind of dirt is on the handles I have had luck cleaning them with mineral oil furniture polish (oil & wax mixture).

    jtk
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  8. 09-13-2016, 7:24 PM #7
    William Adams
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    You've a good eye!

    Each says:

    THE JAMES SWAN CO.
    BEST TOOL STEEL

    and has the swan logo.

    68a8Yohh.jpg

    Next up is polishing w/ Simichrome and oiling the handles w/ walnut oil and then waxing w/ beeswax.
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  9. 09-13-2016, 7:42 PM #8
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    Jim Koepke
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    You've a good eye!
    A lot of my time has been spent looking and remembering. Except where my glasses might be hiding.

    My mind is like a steel trap, rusty and illegal in 37 states.

    jtk
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  10. 09-25-2016, 6:50 PM #9
    William Adams
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    First one cleaned up nicely:

    etoiyhph.jpg
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  11. 09-25-2016, 7:09 PM #10
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    Mike Henderson
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    Swan is a good brand of chisel. The steel is plain carbon steel but they sharpen up well. The fact that it says " Best Tool Steel" and not "Best Cast Steel" means they were probably made after about 1900.

    The ones made earlier were marked "Best Cast Steel".

    Mike
    Last edited by Mike Henderson; 09-25-2016 at 7:16 PM.
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  12. 09-25-2016, 7:52 PM #11
    William Adams
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    Thanks! Wasn’t aware of that distinction ― that helps a bit w/ the dating.
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