[Woodcarver] Problems with Stubai Tools.

[Joe Dillett]

Chris Whillock wrote:
************************
Hi Carol,

You can reach us at stubaidirect.com or call toll free at 1-888-901-8099. We
will be happy to work something out for you. I am not sure what the problem
is until we take a look at the tool.

Regards,

Chris Whillock
US Distributor for Stubai Tools
cj at stubaidirect.com
888-901-8099
********************
Hi Carol,

I've used Stubai tools for enough years to know that their process is not a 
hit and miss. They are high quality tools.

I also know that Chris Whillock is sincere about him standing behind the 
tools he sells. I know he's replaced tools even when the problem was not the 
tool.

When this chipping happens it is generally for two reasons. 1) The angle 
might be to steep making it too weak to hold up under the cutting action and 
2) prying with the tool. If you are cutting pine I assume the breaking is 
not because the angle is too steep. So prying is the likely reason. All 
carving tools are made very strong to operate in the straight forward 
direction. No carving tool stands up to prying action. Even a little side 
movement can chip the very fine brittle edge of the tool. When metal is that 
thin and hardened it still has forward strength but it doesn't have sideways 
strength. So even a slight twist at the bottom of a cut to remove that last 
chip will cause the type of chipping you discribe. 90% of the chipping is 
caused from twisting the tool. The other 10% is from hitting a hard object, 
like another tool, or from the angle beeing too steep.

Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552
(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.com
jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
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**************************************************
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carol Matarazzo" <cmataraz2 at comcast.net>


> I will appreciate any advice ...........

> I bought a set of new Stubai tools several years ago from a fellow who

> taught at a nearby school but has now moved away.  I only recently had one

> of the gouges sharpened for the first time and began to use it.  After 

> about

> 30 mins of use, I noticed considerable tearing in the wood and found   one

> of the wings had several good-sized nicks.  I took the tool to my teacher

> and had it resharpened on the wheel. He had to take it down about one 

> eighth

> of an inch.  Back home, I started to use it again and after about five

> minutes I had tearing again and, upon inspection  ....more nicks - this 

> time

> on both wings.  I am carving pine - quite soft - no knots. I can't find

> anything in the wood that could be damaging the tool.  What could the 

> issue

> be- could it just be a lemon?  poorly tempered or something?  Since I 

> cannot

> go back to the retailer do I have any recourse?

>