problem w/ chisel

[jacques Lanteigne <jacqueslanteigne@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

* Follow-up to message from: justin rego
* Original date (y/m/d) was: 12 May 2003
* Original subject was: problem w/ chisel

well first, I also work with alabaster and consider it to be
a much softer stone than marble, here my lie your first
probleme.

Usualy the chisels for beginners and if it came with
alabaster would not requirer hi grade steel or carbon
aloyes...  Now to find out if your chisels are make of good
quality steel, you will have to check it by hear...a good
file is usuly made with good steel and well tempered.

Hit it on a solid metal piece and you should hear a hi tone
almost cristaline.  now try it with your chisel, that should
give you a clue. If you don't get the same hi tone you might
consider tempering it of bring it to a blacksmith for that.
In about two weeks I am to meet a blacksmith that only make
that(chisels) for a quarry of lime stone and is now 72 so
there must be a hole lot of experience to be gained by this
visite.

I can give you some pointers on the how to proceed but I am
sure I'll have better explication in time...for now check if
your chisels are good steel or carbon steel, take a piece
that you know is iron to also hear the difference that will
help differenciate the tones. if you are interested in
tempering your tools yourself check with me it 2 weeks.

Jacques