Hi All,
Currently working on some socket chisels, I have a Heinz 57 set, and got to wondering, what size socket chisels, for both paring and dovetailing, etc., do folks use most.
My brother, who does a lot of car body and mechanic work, had mentioned to me last night, that of all of his socket wrenches, he actually use only about 6 or 7 or so, counting both metric and English sizes, the vast majority of the time. (The ones used most, by far were from about 1/2" up to about 5/8" or so and the metrics in that rough size range, almost more than the rest of the sizes put together.) That made me think about chisels.
Thus, for paring and dovetailing, and all other Neander tasks, what sizes of the different types of Neander type chisels do you use the vast majority of the time?
For over 20 years I only had two carpenter chisels that I used, both Stanley Homeowner chisels in size 1/2" and 1&1/4". However, that's all I had, and the woodworking I did was 95+% carpentry, not fine woodworking anyway. I got by with those two, and seemed to get along OK with only two, but it would have been nice to have a 1/4" chisel sometimes. I didn't make a lot of money back in those days, and other tools were a higher priority.
For what it's worth, I still use a 1/2" and the 1" or 1.25" most for carpentry. (Even though I now have quite a few different sizes and types of chisel.)
Thanks and regards,
Stew