Narex Czech Steel 8-Piece Chisel Set

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Narex Czech Steel 8-Piece Chisel Set. This manual provides essential information for the proper setup, operation, and maintenance of your new chisels. These tools are crafted from fine-grained, tempered chrome-manganese steel, hardened to Rc 59, and feature lacquered European Beechwood handles. The set includes chisels in sizes 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 26mm, and 32mm.

Please read this manual thoroughly before initial use to ensure safe and effective performance.

2. Safety Information

• Always wear appropriate eye protection when using chisels to guard against flying debris.
• Chisels are extremely sharp. Handle with care to prevent injury. Keep fingers away from the cutting edge.
• Ensure your workpiece is securely clamped before beginning any work.
• Use a wooden or plastic mallet for striking the chisel handle. Do not use metal hammers, as this can damage the handle and ferrules.
• Always cut away from your body and hands.
• Store chisels safely with edge protectors when not in use to prevent damage to the blade and accidental injury.
• Keep chisels out of reach of children.

3. Package Contents

Your Narex Czech Steel 8-Piece Chisel Set includes the following sizes:

• 6 mm (approximately 1/4")
• 8 mm (approximately 5/16")
• 10 mm (approximately 3/8")
• 12 mm (approximately 1/2")
• 16 mm (approximately 5/8")
• 20 mm (approximately 13/16")
• 26 mm (approximately 1 1/32")
• 32 mm (approximately 1 1/4")

This image displays the complete Narex Czech Steel 8-piece Chisel Set. The set includes chisels of 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 26mm, and 32mm widths. Each chisel features a polished steel blade and a lacquered European Beechwood handle with two ferrules. The blades are marked with the Narex brand and their respective sizes.

4. Setup

Your Narex chisels are accurately ground at a 25-degree bevel from the factory. However, like all quality edge tools, they require final sharpening and honing before their first use to achieve optimal performance and a razor-sharp edge.

1. Flattening the Back: The back of the chisel blade should be perfectly flat. Use a sharpening stone or sandpaper on a flat surface (e.g., float glass) with progressively finer grits (e.g., 220, 600, 1200, 8000) to lap the back of the chisel. Focus on the first inch or two from the cutting edge.
2. Sharpening the Bevel: Using a sharpening jig or freehand, sharpen the primary bevel to your desired angle. The factory grind is 25 degrees, which is a good starting point for general woodworking. You may refine this with a micro-bevel at a slightly steeper angle (e.g., 30 degrees) for increased edge retention.
3. Honing and Stropping: Progress through finer grits of sharpening stones or sandpaper to hone the edge. Finish with a leather strop charged with honing compound to remove any burr and achieve a polished, keen edge.

A properly sharpened chisel will shave hair from your arm and cut end grain cleanly.

5. Operating

Narex chisels are versatile tools suitable for various woodworking tasks. Always select the appropriate chisel size for the task at hand.

• Paring: For fine, controlled cuts, hold the chisel with both hands, guiding the blade with one hand close to the cutting edge and applying pressure with the other. Use a slicing motion for cleaner results.
• Chopping: For removing larger amounts of material or cutting mortises, position the chisel and strike the handle with a wooden or plastic mallet. Ensure the chisel is held firmly and vertically or at the desired angle.
• Waste Removal: Use the chisel to clear out waste material from joints or recesses.
• Grain Direction: Always consider the wood grain direction. Cutting with the grain generally provides cleaner results and reduces tear-out.

6. Maintenance

Regular maintenance will prolong the life and performance of your Narex chisels.

• Sharpening: Re-sharpen your chisels as soon as you notice a decrease in cutting performance. A dull chisel requires more force and is less safe. Follow the sharpening steps outlined in Section 4.
• Cleaning: After each use, wipe down the blades to remove any wood sap or debris. A light coat of camellia oil or similar rust preventative oil can be applied to the blades, especially if storing for extended periods or in humid environments.
• Handle Care: The lacquered European Beechwood handles are durable. Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture or extreme temperature changes. If the lacquer wears, it can be reapplied or the handle can be treated with a wood finish.
• Storage: Store chisels in a protective roll, box, or rack to prevent the edges from dulling or chipping and to protect against corrosion.

7. Troubleshooting

• Dull Edge: If the chisel is not cutting cleanly or requires excessive force, it needs sharpening. Refer to Section 4 for sharpening instructions.
• Chipped Edge: A chipped edge can occur from striking hard knots, embedded foreign objects in wood, or improper storage. If a chip is minor, it can often be ground out during the sharpening process. For larger chips, more aggressive grinding may be necessary to re-establish the edge.
• Rust Spots: If rust appears, it can often be removed with fine abrasive paper (e.g., 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper) and a rust-removing agent, followed by re-oiling. Prevent rust by keeping blades clean and oiled.
• Loose Ferrule: The handles are designed with two ferrules to withstand mallet work. If a ferrule becomes loose, it may be possible to re-seat it by gently tapping it back into place. If the handle is damaged, consider contacting Narex for advice.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

For information regarding warranty coverage or technical support for your Narex Czech Steel Chisel Set, please contact the manufacturer directly. Refer to the packaging or the official Narex website for current contact details.