They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have any
experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

jd wrote:
They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have any
experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

You should do a quick search of this group's archives for answers. I
have many of them and like them a lot. Not as much as my Taylors or
Sorbys, but they do a have a place on the wall. Their larger gouges
are a steal, and as far as the smaller ones go, i have 3 of the 3/8"
spindle and bowl gouges with each one ground differently to suit my
needs.

The handles are too short on the bigger tools as they put the same one
on everything unless you are buying the really small stuff, so plan on
turning your own handles on anything over the 3/8 gouges. The steel
isn't polished well and in my opinion needs a quick trip to the buffer.
Other than that, I think you get about 90% of the more expensive tools
for about half the price. I haven't noticed any more frquent trips to
the grinder when using these tools.

As always, YMMV.

Robert

On Wed, 28 Jun 2006 08:24:01 -0400, "jd" wrote:

They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have any
experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

I've bought a couple of their scrapers and the bowl gouge set from penn State
Ind. and am very happy with them...

The steel seems of good quality and they are heavy, which I like...

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lx198.html
Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

jd wrote:
They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have any
experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

I fully concur with the others who have replied to you. I have found
the Benjamin's Best tools to have only one drawback and that is the
length of the handles. I find this a challenge as I enjoy turning
handles and individualising my tools. I find that they sharpen well and
that they hold their edges likewise. I have not bothered to buff them
but a few moments with Miss Baldor wouldn't hurt. If you like keeping
your tools looking their best I would much rarther spend a few
enjoyable moments puttering in my shop than spending money. I think
that their price reduction is due to their minor cosmetics as well as
the fact of the way that they are marketed. I'm not questioning how
it's done just enjoying the fact that I save enough money so that I can
order more chisels and tools that I need. Just enjoy them and have fun!

Yes, for the money you can't go wrong. I own three of the bowl gouges
and a rounded side scraper.

I don't find the handle length a problem, but I have noticed that the
tool comes out of the wood handle quite easily. My father and brother
have noticed the same thing. Some epoxy or simular glue takes care of
that problem.

I bought the 2-inch roughing gouge a couple of months ago from Penn
State Industries and am quite pleased with it. Solid HSS. The handle was
not loose as others have mentioned. Needed a sharpening out of the box.
I would not hesitate to buy their other lathe chisels on the basis of
this experience.

J.

jd wrote:
They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have any
experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

Guess they go on the "buy" list..

--JD
"jd" wrote in message
. ..
They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have
any experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other
chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

I have been using two of them for a year. They are working fine.

"jd" wrote in message
. ..
Guess they go on the "buy" list..

--JD
"jd" wrote in message
. ..
They're listed in rockler's catalogues, and are inexpensive. Anyone have
any experience (or a reason why they cost 1/4 to 1/2 as much as other
chisels)?

thanks
-_JKD

I also have several. I first bought the oval skew, which works well
and stays sharp for a decent time. Recently bought a 5/8 bowl gouge,
which I am learning to use. I did burn the edge when resharpening,
but that's my technique, I think. Also bought two of the skew gouges,
which seem to be Sorby knockoffs, but work pretty well on pens and
other small stuff.
Doc Ron