Cabinet Maker's Screwdrivers

 I've wanted a set of Gunsmith type screwdrivers for a while now. Decided I was probably not the only person that might want a really nicely made set of drivers that did not have the pitfalls of the previous drivers I had owned for cabinet making.

What were the pitfalls? 

Well number one the taper tips that would mar the sides of the hardware screw slots. When I was a full time furniture maker I had set up screws I would use to position and prove out hardware locations. After finishing the piece I would then use the screws that came with the hardware so the slots wouldn't be so beat up from the initial installation.

Magnetic tips. If you used steel wool in any of the rub out steps in finishing your project then every time you put down the screw driver debris from the steel wool would cling to the tip.😒

Drivers that roll and fall off your workbench. This aggravates me to no end. The older I get the worse I abhor screwdrivers that do this. Square handle drivers aren't as prone to this but also are not as nice in hand either. If I'm doing this I want the best of both worlds.

I spent a lot of time thinking about the configuration of the screwdrivers and the processes required to create a set that are as beautiful to behold as they are nice to use.

The picture shows 2 sets of these drivers. One with Olive wood handles and the other with handles of a green pearl acrylic polymer. I'm offering these in the same handle materials available for my chisels

The tips of these screwdrivers are in the gunsmith style with hollow ending in a parallel tip. Sized to fit the screw sizes I mentioned very well.

The handles are a modified version of my chisel handles. A bit larger diameter and a larger hosel rise for apply force need to drive screws.

The video shows the anti roll feature of these drivers. The geometry of these drivers creates that tool that's not really prone to rolling but a strategically placed flat on the bottom cause it to settle as you can see in the video.

The first couple sets of these sold very quickly. If interested in acquiring individual or sets of these tools you can contact me thru the email link located at the Contact Info button at the top of the page.

Ron

Chisels for Kumiko

 While paring kumiko In the past I’ve often thought that I could create a tool to make this task a bit easier and possibly more ergonomic as well. Recently I had a customer/friend contact me to inquire as to whether I would be interested in creating such a chisel for him. 

I made a list of the criteria we put together for this chisel:

(1) Wide blade for easy registration on the jigs typically used in kumiko work.

(2) Shorter blade so the pressure point of your hand is close to the cutting contact point. Something butt chisel length.

(3) Shorter handle as compared to a bench chisel so the end would fit comfortably in your hand and provide a way to push with the butt of your hand.

(4) A lower bevel angle to make for a better paring cut.

(5) Lower heat in the tempering process to leave the chisel a bit harder than standard. Paring and chopping are very different task. Leaving the steel in the blade a bit harder promotes a sharper edge better for paring than chopping.

(6) All sharp edges on the chisel blade where one’s hand may come in contact are broken/softened to make the user experience more pleasant and less wearing on the hand.

Below are pictures of the product created using this criteria. Woods are Desert ironwood, olive and figured resin infused maple.

Ron

New Additions to the Tools Available Page

 Recent additions to the Tools Available Page as of January 28th, 2021. 

To purchase visit the "Tools Available page"

Pair of  Resin Infused Curly maple 18 degree Skew Chisels, 3/8" wide

 

 

Resin Infused Cherry Awl with removable blade feature and lye aged finish.

 

Most Recent Set of Dovetail Chisels

 I recently completed this set of Dovetail chisels using Resin Infused Curly Maple for the handles. I also implemented a new ferrule design. The change is not obvious as it is concealed in the handle. The new ferrules feature an integrated threaded stud that actually threads into the handle and once thread locked it becomes integrated into the wooden handle.

 

 

This new feature allows all the components to become one thing and makes the final assembly a bit more predictable as well.

 

You may also notice a bit of a different shape in the handle. As new ideas emerge I prototype and add the details that prove to be an enhancement.

I had intended to list these chisels on the Tools Available page today but a former customer discovered that I had these in process and contacted me about purchasing them. Chisels are SOLD.

Ron

New Items Added to the Tool Available page on 9/2/20

The last Awls I added to the Tools Available page sold out quite quickly. I've just added 3 more of these awls to the tools available page as of 9/2/20.

To access that page follow this link. Tools Available

If you have any questions please contact me at ronbrese1@gmail.com

New Tools Available Page

All Awls are sold. 

The awls featured in the last post sold quite quickly so I set about making another small batch of these tools in various woods. I also thought this might be a good time to create a page specifically for the tools that I have available for sale at any given time. Tools Available link.

When looking at group pictures of these tools I can't help thinking that they look a lot like lollipops in a candy store.  Such an array of color courtesy of Ma Nature and some judicious shaping and polishing.

I decided to see how an awl made from Desert Iron wood would be. There is a large variation of color in this material and this case it's a very earthy color of orange. I was instantly smitten.

As mentioned in the last post these awls have a feature that allows for removing the blade so as to re-grind, or sharpen if you may, the tip. These are furnished with the appropriate allen key and an extra set screw.

The Tools Available page is available at this link or from the page listing at the top of the main blog page.

Ron

Awl Issue Resolved

I have more awls than any one person needs. That's because I have an issue with awls. When the tip of an awl becomes less than sharp it will skid and not hold locations as compared to a sharp tipped awl. This is especially a problem on end grain when marking centers in preparation for turning blanks. Because the blades are permanently fixed in those awls it's not an easy thing to regrind a perfectly symmetrical tip.

I guess if I really wanted I could fashion a jig to accomplish this task but as of late I've just made a new awl.

The obvious solution is to make an awl with a removable blade that is then easily chucked into a drill and spun against an abrasive to create a newly sharpened tip. This past week I've made a prototype of such an awl and have also made a small production run of removable blade awls.

Tools that have replaceable features can easily become clunky and awkward to look at so it was important to me to retain elegance while incorporating this feature. I'm quite satisfied with the result.

The only difference is a small 6-32 set screw recessed into the ferrule opposite the side with the "B" makers mark. In use your hand never knows it's there but when you need to sharpen the tip......well there you go.

Of course it will be necessary to supply these awls with an allen key and extra set screw. A 6-32 x 3/16" long set screw can go missing pretty quickly if dropped. Don't ask me how I know.

Once removed and sharpened one just aligns the small notch in the blade with the set screw hole, slides the blade all the into the top until it bottoms out, and then tightens the set screw and once again it's solid as a rock. The set screw has an extended tip that engages the slot and locks the blade.

The three awls that I have in this offer are Macassar Ebony on the left, 

Olivewood in the middle and resin infused curly maple on the right.

These awls are $78 each, plus $7 shipping and handling to anywhere in the lower 48 states. Basically $85.00 shipped.

If interested contact me via email at:

ronbrese1@gmail.com