> I recently placed my first order from Harbor Freight. I
>ordered three items. The first two arrived after 3 weeks, and the last
>should be sent in a week.
>
> I ordered the 8-piece HHS chisel set (47066-0VGA). The price
>is typically $29.99, but when I placed my order, it was $32.99. I
>sighed about the price increase, but figured for that price how could >I go wrong? >
> Well, after placing the order, I noticed the item was again placed on
>sale, for $29.99. I sent them e-mail, and they said they would credit
>my account for the difference. T'was nice that this was painless. > >
> As for the chisels - I had a cheapo AMT for years, and bought
>the Jet JWL-1236 last year. I have a few nice tools, augmenting the
>"free" set that came with the Jet. I am a amateur, and don't have a
>lot of experience. But I can describe the Harbor Freight set for those
>who are interested. I haven't used them yet.
>
>What did I get?
>
> Eight chisels in a wooden box. Labeled "Windsor Designs" and
>marked "Made in China." Each is about 16 inches long, and the blade is
>6 1/2 inches long. The blades are about 2 inches longer than the
>cheapo set I have. The shape of the handle is a little like my Robert
>Sorby oval skew, with the tang tip rounder, which means my hand can't
>fit around it as comfortably as it does the Sorby. Because of the 10"
>handle and the weight of the metal, some feel "top heavy."
>
>The eight chisels are:
>
> 1" Roughing Gouge
> Heavy steel, about 1/4" thick. This one just has a slightly
> greater curve than a spindle gouge. I have a non-HSS roughing
> gouge that has a taller cut/deeper gouge. This one is shallow
> by comparison.
>
> 3/4" Roughing Gouge
>
> Like the above. Same thick steel. The curve is slightly less
> that the one above. It has the same curvature as the spindle
> gouges I have.
>
> 1/2" Parting Tool
> This tool is a little strange to me. I don't see it mentioned
> in my books. The point is V shaped, and it's flat on top, and
> the two edges are beveled. Most of my scrapers have a steeper
> bevel. Still, the metal is 1/4" thick, and I can regrind it easily.
> It's 5/8" wide.
>
> But I'm not sure if I should use it as a scraper, or as a skew. > > 1/8" Parting Tool
> This is a beading/parting tool. A V point, but no bevel on the
> edge. But the steel is 1/4" thick by 5/8" wide. It's only
> 1/8" when 8 equals 4.
>
> 1/2" Skew
> 1/4" by 5/8" - same stock as the last two tools. Just reground.
> The corners have a square edge.
>
> 1" Skew
> 1/4" by 1" - like above, but wider.
>
> 1/2" Round Nose Scraper
> 1/4" by 5/8" - so this is a 5/8" roundnose scraper.
>
> 1/4" spindle gouge
>
> 1/4" round stock, with a 1/16" shallow cut. It's not a deep
> cut in the gouge. The groove has a nice edge halfway, then the
> edges are slightly "damaged" for the second half, as if the
> grinding wasn't crisp..
>
> In general, the steel is very heavy. Four of the tools have the
>same 1/4" by 5/8" stock, and can be reground to make other shapes. >
> The roughing gouges can't be reground as easily. I don't do
>spindle work much. I'll compare them to my other roughing gouge and
>report later. I wish the 1/4" spindle gouge was more recessed, so I
>could use it as a small bowl gouge. However, because of the
>shallowness of the grove, I can make it a scraper. It's thick enough >to handle this. >
> In summary, the measurements describing the tools are often
>inaccurate. But the thickness of the metal is substantial. I can use
>them as is, or regrind 6 of the 8 tools if I need other shapes. I can
>always make a longer handle.
>
> For $29.99, it's hard to go wrong, even if you have a basic
>set. I can make a Raffan spear-shaped scraper, a radius skew, oval
>skew, flat-end scraper, dovetail scraper, or whatrever othger odd shap
>I need. And as Gene, Mike and others have said, it's a great set to
>practice sharpening on.