A few awls I recently made.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/DSCF8760.JPG)
The tall ones are scratch awls. The blade is O-1 tool steel that I heat treated to really hard. After using them I think the shaft is a little long. Next time I'll make a little shorter.
Short ones are called bird cage awls. They got the name because the point is either 3 or 4 sided to make drilling holes in thin material easy. The material is than laced into a bird cage. I guess now about all they are used for is making a start hole in wood prior to drilling. The shaft on these are music wire so I didn't have to fool around with heat treating.
Ferules are brass plumbing nuts turned round.
Wood is from the Sarvis or Service Berry tree with the exception of the one walnut. Some have a bit of splalting. Most has curl.
Next little project is making some matching marking knifes for laying out dovetails.
I like them !
Like those too... very sharp... in more ways than one. smiley_thumbsup
They are very handy to have around for woodworking...
Good looking tools. My compliments. :)
Very nice, and they will be a joy to use. smiley_thumbsup
Nice Nice Nice!!!
The awl I always grab in my shop, is long handled.
I like them awl all, but my favorite is back row... far left.
Those look great!
They look great. Making the ferules from nuts is a idea that I am going to steal from you. The cage awl sounds real handy, thanks for sharing. :)
Great skill and Craftsmanship. So nice to see such a fine example of a handmade functional tool in the throwaway world of today. NICE WORK!
Very nice. Does the ferrule still have threads on the inside?
Yes, the threads are still there. I turn the wood to a diameter that lets me turn on the nuts with a firm grip. A couple of drops of CA glue lock the nut in place. Next I turn the nut to almost round with a standard HSS wood lathe gouge. The brass turns about like wood. Final step is I taking the nut completely round with a file and finishing with 400 grit sandpaper.
I make springs with music wire. I have never seen or use music wire that large.
From where do you buy it?
K&S Metals make it here in the US. It can be had up too 1/4" diameter. I get it from Amazon but a lot of hobby shops carry it in the bigger cities. Usually comes in a package with something like 7 sticks 3' long and its not very expensive.
I see your lathe skills are progressing. I wouldn't even know what to do with an awl.
Wow those are beautiful handles. I used to use an awl in tin working. I have used it in wood working for marking but not as often. You do really nice work!
Those are awlful nice, Larry! 8)
Quote from: Lud on January 24, 2016, 06:03:11 PM
Those are awlful nice, Larry! 8)
;D
Very nice! I too use them to help center drip bits or start screws.
Nice, 8)
Those are very nice. smiley_really_happy
Does turning the brass dull your tools fast?
Not that I can tell. Non-ferrous metals work pretty easy with standard HSS woodworking tools.