opinions of Benjamins Best chisels?

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

Reply to
jd
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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

Reply to
nailshooter41

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...

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Mac
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Reply to
mac davis

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!

Reply to
JimC

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.

Reply to
Brent

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:

Reply to
John

Guess they go on the "buy" list..

Reply to
jd

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

Reply to
<marierdj

I also have several. I first bought the oval skew, which works wel 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 an other small stuff Doc Ro

Reply to
Doc Ron

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