Chisels

[razorback]

I have an Antique/junk store near my place that has a couple of boxes with 20-30 various old chisels in them. Cold chisels, not woodworking chisels. There are other various bits of metal in them as well such as files, screw drivers etc. My question is how useful can these items be. Should I grab them with the intention to forge them into other items or use them to drift holes and cut off pieces. let me know what you think.

I picked up a couple of old files, a draw knife, an old saw blade and a chisel, today. just not sure what to do with the rest of it.

[Maxximusgrind]

In my opinion,They can be handy both as they are and modified.you never know what kind of project will come up.
Anything that wont melt and is harder than the hot steel is potentially a tool and anything that will soften up and be softer than the hammer may be my next victim.I have seen alot of cool decorative stuff made from rebar.
Now for the disclaimer...Hello my name is Robert and I am a collectaholic.My house is a cluttered mess with no room left-and I want more tools.
hope it helps.
   Robert

[Scott Roush]

I'm new at this, but I'd think you could make all sorts of punches and cutters out of those chisels.


I've been trying to find just such a store. If I can get to one before Robert, I'd like a box of ball peens.


And an anvil.

[razorback]

Thats what I wanted to find as well, Anvil and hammers, but unfortunately they were out of those. Just made an anvil over th weekend and will post pics on another thread soon.

Could a larger chisel be made into a hammer head. Would seem possible, don't you think.

[Maxximusgrind]

I saw one made fom a  steel  felling wedge..made a cool straight peen and I think it was just under 3 pounds.
So I guess,its not so much a matter of what can be done-as it is a matter of figuring out how to do it.Or just coming up with the ideas in the first place.

[skillet]

Old chisels and punches are all goodness. My mentor insists on me making most of my own tooling as a teaching method. Need a slitter to do "that particular thing"? Make one. When I need a punch, or a drift or even a touchmark I make one up from the stash of old chisels and punches. BTW, a small chisel will make a dandy fire steel.  Also look for jack hammer bits at the local rental shop. Excellent stock for hammers and hardy tools.

rick

[razorback]

Thanks Rick.
I think I may try to do a deal on a whole bunch of them. Like you said they are good for turning into whatever you need at that time.