<HTML><HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3059" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV> <DIV><FONT face="MS Sans Serif" size=2>Many chisels, especially high-end chisels, have a cap on the end of the handle to protect it from damage when it is "hammered on" with a wooden maul.  To do so is legitimate for some wood carving applications, but not for bridge notching.  If you keep the tool sharp enough, there is no need to pound on it with anything, not even the heel of your palm.  With a sharp chisel, a strong forward and downward rotating thrust will do the job, even on a laminated cap.  I find the cap on the end of a chisel annoying for bridge notching.  I prefer a wood turning chisel, as used with a lathe, with the cutting tip ground to my liking.  The longer handle gives a little better control of the "scoop."  </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Frank Emerson</DIV> <DIV><A href="mailto:pianoguru@earthlink.net">pianoguru@earthlink.net</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=jkanter@rollingball.com href="mailto:jkanter@rollingball.com">Jason Kanter</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 3/15/2007 6:54:04 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Chisels</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2>I was going to say "go Japanese" but I see you're already there. No one does better.<BR><BR> <DIV><SPAN class=gmail_quote>On 3/15/07, <B class=gmail_sendername>RicB</B> <<A href="mailto:ricb@pianostemmer.no"> ricb@pianostemmer.no</A>> wrote:</SPAN> <BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">Hi Folks<BR><BR><BR>I'm getting ready to buy a set of really good chisels and before I do I <BR>wanted to check with folks experienced with notching needs and see if<BR>they have any good recommendations.  So far the set I've seen that<BR>impresses the most (from reading about them, not experience) are the<BR>following...<BR><BR><A href="http://www.fine-tools.com/stemjap.htm#zield11">http://www.fine-tools.com/stemjap.htm#zield11</A><BR><BR>Any advice is welcome.<BR><BR>Cheers and thanks<BR>RicB<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR clear=all><BR>-- <BR>=cell 425 830 1561= </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>