How to Repair a Chisel
Chisels get abused. They get hammered on, used as screwdrivers, pry-bars and thrown into drawers. Its no wonder they get damaged. Chisels are really knives and should only be used as such. They should have a shiny edge at all times to carve and shave wood off like a razor. When chisels get abused, the knife-like edge becomes chipped or broken. When a chisel reaches this point it is useless. Use a bench grinder to repair your chisels.
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Instructions
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Turn on the grinder. Put on your gloves and eye protection. Hold the chisel horizontally, upside down at a 90 degree angle to the wheel.
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Touch the front of the chisel to the front of the wheel, keeping it at a 90 degree angle. You should be looking at the back of the chisel, the angle should be facing down.
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Grind the sharp cutting edge of the chisel off square. Grind until all of the chips, cracks or broken corners are gone from the cutting edge. You should be looking at a blunt square tip when you are finished.
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Tip the chisel down at approximately 30 degrees. Try to match the angle that is already on the chisel to the wheel. Hold the chisel on the wheel, moving it back and forth over the wheel, keeping the angle, grinding the angle back until the blunt edge it gone.
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Tip the chisel up and examine it. If not sharp like a knife, hold it to the grinder, keeping the angle, and grind until sharp.
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Tips & Warnings
Typical chisels have a 30 degree angle. Yours probably does too, but if not, just match the angle as close to the original angle on the chisel.
Always wear safety glasses when grinding. Chisels get hot when you are grinding them. Don't touch the end of it until it cools.
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