One of our members Matthew pm'd me today asking about the curved chisel I use for carving the braces:
(edit) - we now got Curved Guitar Makers Chisels in Stock!
This is my new favourite chisel!
Unfortunately my original chisel was discontinued by Stewmac - they called it the 'Guitar Makers Chisel'...glad I got two!
The next best available thing is this two cherries chisel - you can get it from tonetech:
https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/s-form-bracing-chisel-10mm.html
but any long chisel will do - I started with something like this:
https://www.axminster.co.uk/henry-taylor-long-thin-bevel-edge-paring-chisels-ax23546
(mine was 19mm width of blade)
You could find something similar at a lower price I'm pretty sure with search...
Please let us know if you find anything!
Measure twice, cut once...
Thanks Mark.
I ordered the 10mm curved guy- hopefully that's not too narrow for the job.
10mm curved chisel came today- he's a bit too normal length to feel like a proper luthier, but it'll be nice to have until I find a long one.
cheers
The one I got from StewMac is ok but the curve doesn’t extend all the way to the cutting edge so it doesn’t give as smooth a cut as I’d like at the end of the cut and tends to split the wood though a lever action. I was going to contact Ashley Iles and ask them to make me one but here’s a thought Mark, maybe you could design it and place a group order for them. And they’d be British! I toured their factory as a student over 30 years ago and it was amazing to see the tools all being forged and shaped by hand. I am sure they’d be interested in making a special given that it is clearly a tool many of us have trouble finding.
Having downloaded the Ashley Isles catalogue they already do some flat spoon chisels that look like they might be pretty handy for brace carving. https://www.ashleyilestoolstore.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=115_116_121&products_id=1680
I've ordered a couple and I'll let you know how they work out.
Darren
I just got a bigger one delivered this week from ebay. It's a long straight blade, but the handle shaft is offset, which isn't what I wanted, even though it was listed as 'curved chisel'.
I'm wondering if a blacksmith could work on the blade?
Mark:
- is any part of your blade straight / flat?
- if you push the tip down, how high does the centre of the handle shaft measure off the workbench?
Some progress here gang:
Ben Crowe (Crimson guitars) at VintageToolShop.com is willing to make some of these chisels next week after NEC show they are attending.
I said to admin Saffy on email that there may be more orders if others see this opportunity, so I guess take your chance! shop@vintagetoolshop.com
Mark, if you see this, could you take some measurements from your original tool?
Peace
Here are some pics of my favorite curved chisel...
The cross section of the chisel blade is 13mm x 5mm
As you can see there is a flat section about 25mm (1") long at the pointy end - I like it this way.
The curve is approx 25mm over 180mm
It is very slightly 'Hollow Ground' as you can see from the close ups of the back of the blade.
Is that a hardened insert? I'm not a chisel expert so I don't know if that is a thing...
Measure twice, cut once...
Amazing- thanks Mark.
I will send onwards, and mention Bailey guitars, so anyone emailing them can refer to this when requesting one.
In case you missed it -
we now got Curved Guitar Makers Chisels in Stock!
This is my new favourite chisel!
Measure twice, cut once...
Ordered my chisel because I will need it when I order my acoustic kit but also need to afford a side bender and can't afford it yet......
There is some logic there - my Fender Mexican Strat may be going and the proceeds of the sale will fund some of the kit and bender....
Measure once........ Measure again......... Sod it - make tea!
In case you missed it -
we now got Curved Guitar Makers Chisels in Stock!
This is my new favourite chisel!
Is that the same as you use mark. I have the tone tech one. It’s ok but too light.
i can feel an order coming on...!
I have too many guitars...said no one in the world..ever!
Nevermind I’ve bought one and a rasp...
I get some great tools and I get to support you in the process....??..bonus
I have too many guitars...said no one in the world..ever!
@david-johnson09 It is the new model made right here in the Bailey workshop to MY SPECS!! Tiny bit heavier than the original as it is a little broader - total weight including handle approximately 200grams.
A beauty aint it?
https://guitarmaking.co.uk/product/guitar-makers-curved-chisel/
Measure twice, cut once...
@frocesterbill Thanks Bill - not a cheap hobby is it? At least if you buy good tools you'll have them forever and you can make as many guitars as you like!
Measure twice, cut once...