I used to think cheap chisels were fine until i wrecked a $200 board

For years i bought those $15 chisel sets from the hardware store. Last week i was trimming a mortise on a nice white oak board and the edge folded over on me. Gouged a 3 inch scratch right across the face. Spent $80 on a single Irwin Marples chisel the next day and the difference is night and day. Has anyone else had a cheap tool cost them more than a good one would have?

2 comments

2 Comments

patricia423d ago

@rivera.holly Try thinking about the time wasted too, not just the money.

rivera.holly3d ago

gouged a 3 inch scratch right across the face" yeah i mean that sucks but like... are we really acting like one mistake means cheap tools are worthless? i've got a $12 set of stanley chisels that have been fine for years. you just gotta keep them sharp and not try to chop through oak like a lumberjack. sounds like you were hammering too hard or the chisel wasn't ground right. i dunno, $80 for one chisel seems like a lot when a $20 one and a sharpening stone would probably last you just as long. maybe you just needed to slow down.