| Last additions - Chuck Myers's Gallery |
Variations_Side-by-Side.JPGLondon Pattern Variations129 viewsThree variations on a theme. At top is lyptus handle with 1" ferrule sold by Lee Valley. Center is poplar handle using 5/8" (1" OD) compression nut. Bottom is poplar using 5/8" (also 1" OD) flare nut. There are also a few subtle differences in proportion. I'm still trying to decide which look appeals to me most.Chuck MyersAug 28, 2009
|
|
DSC04029.JPGFile Handle Lineup171 viewsJust for fun, here are all the handles involved in this little adventure. At top is the boxwood handle available from Lee Valley that I used as "inspiration." Below that are the two London pattern handles I made from lyptus, with the second handle mounted on the file. At bottom is the first (in this exercise) handle I made from purpleheart. Ferrules for the lyptus handles are the 1" size sold by Lee Valley. That for the purpleheart handle used to be a flare nut.Chuck MyersAug 23, 2009
|
|
DSC04030.JPGLondon Pattern File Handles Side-by-Side92 viewsHere are the two handles I made. The original has been removed from the file and the sequel mounted.Chuck MyersAug 23, 2009
|
|
DSC04031.JPGSecond Handle Closeup96 viewsI had enough of the lyptus to make two handles, so I went ahead and made a second one. This one lacks the slice tracks I got on the first handle (the result of a catch). Not so embarrassing to put this picture on display as the first was.Chuck MyersAug 23, 2009
|
|
DSC04032.JPGLondon Pattern File Handle from the Top88 viewsThis angle gives a better view of what the top looks like. It's a simple roundover that seems better suited for a push tool than the knob I've used (copied, actually) on chisel handles. This design feels better in my hand.Chuck MyersAug 23, 2009
|
|
DSC04033.JPGTang Insertion88 viewsAnother closeup, this one of the tang inserted into the handle. Using Miller Dowel bits works really well for the drilling. They produce a stepped hole that works well with the tang's taper, providing a tight fit just by driving the handle on. No burning in needed, though that probably wouldn't hurt. The gap resulting from using a round hole for a rectangular cross section is obvious here. This doesn't seem to create any problems in use, but some might not like the way it looks.Chuck MyersAug 23, 2009
|
|
DSC04027.JPGLondon Pattern Pattern105 viewsHere's the handle next to the original that served as the basic pattern. This is one of the boxwood handles that Lee Valley sells. (The ferrule I used for this is also available there . SOTSD) Since this handle isn't intended for striking, I elected to make the handle the same length as the original but with a simple round over (rather than a knob) on the top end to make for a more comfortable grip when filing. I like the way it feels in the hand, so I suppose the experiment was at least a partial success.Chuck MyersAug 22, 2009
|
|
DSC04026.JPGLondon Pattern File Handle Closeup97 viewsThis shot provides a closer look at the handle. I used lyptus for this one because I had some appropriately sized scrap handy and because I really don't like the wood much despite having a rather nice color. It's really splintery and difficult to work with. I kind of figured this was an experiment and that this would end up being decorative kindling anyhow, so why use wood I cared about? Note that I had exactly one catch when doing the turning. Naturally it caused a booboo I couldn't fix.Chuck MyersAug 22, 2009
|
|
DSC04025.JPGLondon Pattern File Handle101 viewsTaking inspiration from Roy Griggs, I realized I hadn't ever tried making a London Pattern handle for anything other than chisels. I liked the relative proportions Roy used for his handle, so I made this one much larger than the handle I made for this file previously. It balances better visually, and also fits the hand nicely for the kind of work one does with a 12" bastard mill file.Chuck MyersAug 22, 2009
|
|
DSC03830.JPGExperimental London Pattern Handles106 viewsI tried several options while deciding on the final handle design for the Two Cherries handles. This was one design, which combined leather washer on the striking end with ferrules made from two different sizes of flare nut. I decided against the flare nuts because they wouldn't accommodate the chisel tangs very well. Don't recall why I abandoned the leather idea, other than maybe I didn't have enough leather on hand at the time. Not a bad look as I revisit it. Maybe I'll use it for future tools.Chuck MyersAug 16, 2009
|
|
DSC04021.JPGPurpleheart File Handle178 viewsThis is a really basic file handle, or at least the turning is. I bought a new mill file and needed a handle for it. Found a piece of purpleheart scrap that would serve the purpose, though it was a little smaller than I would have preferred. Sometimes you just have to live with the dimensions the wood gives you. Ferrule is made from 5/8" flare nut.Chuck MyersAug 15, 2009
|
|
DSC04022.JPGFile Handle in Perspective162 viewsThis gives a little better perspective on size. The handle is attached to a 12" mill file.Chuck MyersAug 15, 2009
|
|
|
|
Image Central 
