Hand tools

[Sam Cook]

Hey all, 

I was wondering if people would be interested in a pledge/pledges for some new hand tools. We have a lot of good quality tools in the space but more and more we're being let down by hand tools. 

Most of the hand tools we currently have are donations/lends and frankly for a lot of stuff we just don't have a good tool. 

What I propose is one or two good quality wood working kits (saws, files, chisels, etc), the same for metal work (hack saws, metal files, maybe a tap/die set) and then a complete screwdriver set, a socket set etc. 

If nothing else I think we really need 

- A set of wood saws (that aren't blunt/rusty) at least a good tenon saw and panel saw

- new hacksaw blades 

- a full screwdriver set (both precision and larger sizes)

I don't know what people think about this but I think it would be worth doing, possibly combined with going through the existing tools and getting rid of those that are dead (for example the screwdrivers that have been heavily warn). 

I'm sure there are other tools that could be useful (planes, spokeshaves, socket sets).

Anyway I don't know how people think we should go about this - either clearing out the crap from the workshop and replacing or making a list and getting it all then adding to what's already there. 

Anyway thoughts? 

S

[Charles Yarnold]

I had planned to try and organise this, but haddn't spoken up yet to avoid getting ?wv ...

Well Volunteered Sam! \o/ 

But in seriousness, I would very much be up for a group effort (maybe a hack day) of going though tools, getting rid of broken and unfixable (yes most tools can be fixed, but we need the people to fix them before a year is over), cataloguing them and buying in new tools.

So, +1 from me!

Sol

[Sam Cook]

Hooray I'm not alone in this. 

I think a hackday might be a good way of doing this, a lot of the tools can probably be bought locally anyway if they're not too expensive. 

If we can it would be really nice to buy some tool kits, this seems easy for mechanics tools but not much else. Main pro to getting a tool kit would be that (at least in theory) that there will be specific spots for each tool. 

S

[Akki]

Could I also add a sub-pledge of sorts for a decent (set of?) diamond
whetstone(s) so we can keep the chisels (and other blades possibly) in
tiptop condition?

I know it looks like some people have been regrinding some of the
chisels in a vain attempt to keep them sharp... I'm not sure this has
really helped, though.

I'd be happy to help go through the tools too, like Sol has
suggested.

~Akki

[Sam Kelly]

I've had some success with the stone I found in the space (using water) but wasn't able to lay my hands on it last time I tried. I'd be delighted to take part in a sharpening session, and can bring my good waterstone in for the day if it's useful.

[Adrian Godwin]

One problem we have with hand tools is that we want everyone to be
able to use them, but though they're not usually as dangerous as power
tools, they can still be damaged by abuse.

We could perhaps agree on whether we consider hand tools as being
disposable or not. If they are, choose the quality and cost
accordingly. If they're not, consider how we can ensure they're used
thoughtfully so that good quality tools aren't ruined accidentally.

-adrian

[Russ Garrett]

On 1 January 2012 19:06, Akki <beloved...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Could I also add a sub-pledge of sorts for a decent (set of?) diamond
> whetstone(s) so we can keep the chisels (and other blades possibly) in
> tiptop condition?

These, I am told, are both cheap and effective:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LPDNLW/ref=asc_df_B000LPDNLW5927234

I've ordered a set for the space.

--
Russ Garrett
ru...@garrett.co.uk

[Adrian Godwin]

Useful. Also, wasn't there an oilstone in the stuff that Glen got from
Crystal Palace ?

-adrian

[Steff]

On 1 January 2012 21:03, Adrian Godwin <artg...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Useful. Also, wasn't there an oilstone in the stuff that Glen got from
> Crystal Palace ?

If not, there's always this sort of thing:
http://www.thetoolvault.com/product.php/sn/FAIOS8C which is fine for
cheapie-to-mid-level tools (obviously don't use it on your incredibly
precious Japanese chisels).

S

[Akki]

Used that one in the space. It's not nearly tough enough and was
wearing down quickly when I was sharpening the few chisels that
weren't too bad.
~A

On Jan 1, 10:21 pm, Steff <st...@steff.name> wrote:

> On 1 January 2012 21:03, Adrian Godwin <artgod...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Useful. Also, wasn't there an oilstone in the stuff that Glen got from
> > Crystal Palace ?
>

> If not, there's always this sort of thing:http://www.thetoolvault.com/product.php/sn/FAIOS8Cwhich is fine for

[Sam Cook]

Whilst I think getting some whetstones will be a good idea and lessons certainly should be given I think with a lot of our tools they may beyond repairable (or at least repairable in a sane amount of time) my aim was more to get a set of tools in a known state (i.e. working) and then work hard at maintaining them, rather than trying to keep a set of tools that are a) very old in some cases and b) of unknown quality to begin with. 

Also any tools we do get as a result of this should really be marked up with hackspace h's and given specific positions on the racks to help keep them here. 

S