Popular Woodworking 2000-01 № 112, страница 10
Endurance Test Marples Blue Chip Bevel Edge Chisels P1'" "' n...... There are a few hand tools that woodworkers must have, no matter how high-tech they are. A hammer, a block plane, screwdrivers and a set of chisels. Depending on your woodworking habits you might use chisels once a month, or every time you're in your shop. We've come to appreciate not only the workmanship and quality of Marples Blue Chip chisels, but also the very real dollar value of these tools. We've been using them in the Popular Woodworking shop (and in our homes) for years. While some chisel snobs might quote metal hardness statistics when they talk about chisels, we take the practical approach. These chisels feel good in your hand, take and hold an edge well for most woodworking tasks, can be hit with a hammer or mallet repeatedly, and—with a little bit of shopping—a set of five can be purchased for about $35. That's our definition of a good tool. The polypropylene handles are square-shaped with rounded edges and feel comfortable in your hand, though they don't feel as warm as a wooden-handled chisel. The square shape of the handle gives you an instictive way to orient the blade by feel as well as sight. Another benefit to the shape is that Blue Chips don't roll off your bench, destroying your sharpened edge. The blades are quality Sheffield steel, hardened and tempered to perform well without frequent sharpening. Our biggest complaint with these chisels (and some other brands) is that the factory grinding on the blades is seldom perfectly square, and the backs need flattening before use. Thank goodness you don't need to do this often. Recommendation: You can buy more expensive chisels that look nicer, and hold an edge longer than Marples Blue Chips, but you also will pay two or three times as much. We recommend shopping around for the best price on a four- (H", 1/2", 3/4" & 1") or five-piece set (add a 3/s"). While Marples' boxed sets are a nice touch, the boxes aren't that well made. So if you find a deal on a set without a box, buy 'em, sharpen 'em up, and then don't sweat the details. They'll be ready to use and always reliable. PW RESULTS MARPLES BLUE CHIP CHISELS NICE FEATURES • Affordable • Sturdy and comfortable handle • Quality hardened steel edge RECOMMENDED MODIFICATIONS • Blades require some prep-work when first out of the box • Better boxes for the boxed sets Marples chisels are sold in many woodworking stores and catalogs. Check www.marples.com for more information. About our endurance tests When a new tool hits the market we do our best to tell you what the benefits and pitfalls are with that tool.While this is good information, we know that the question you really want answered is,"How long will the tool last?" That's what this column is for.We regularly pick a tool we've used in our shop for at least a year that has stood up to our regular use.We make sure the tools we've tested here are virtually unchanged from the versions in the store today. So when you see a tool written up in here, it has passed the Popular Woodworking Endurance Test. —David Thiel, senior editor |
