Shopsmith Forums

Since the Shopsmith woodworking school is no more, I'm thinking of going to the Marc Adams school, and starting with the Joinery course. He recommends a nice (read: top quality) set of chisels, his top two recommendations being the Lie Nielson and the Two Cherries brands.

Just curious on what the gang here thinks -- I suspect I'll get a real wide range of opinions ranging from toss-away cheapies to use-em-for-a-lifetime investments, but all opinions much appreciated.

By "chisels", do you mean the "beat on the with a big hammer" to shape crude wood chisels? Or, quality carving chisels capable of doing artistic carving?

I have both. I have a cheap set of hardware chisels for "chopping" crude wood to make mortises, and my Wife has a nice set of Two Cherries carving chisels to do her elaborate carving.

I recommend you own both. You never want to beat up your carving chisels, but you need something in your tool chest to do the crude work too.

My less expensive chisels are all Stanley and my good chisels are "Buck".

They all have steel caps on the handles so that I can use a hammer when needed.

Keep them sharp and you need hammers less frequently.