HS&B Co 11" x 1/4" Socket Type Wood Chisel

[lauver]

Gang,

I recently acquired this chisel and must say I am somewhat smitten by it; I'm planning to mildly refurb it and put it back to work.

Here's a couple of photo's:




Here's what's stamped on it:
HS&B Co
Our Very Best (i.e. OVB house brand)
Made in U.S.A.
Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co
"S" (appears to be an owners mark, i.e. a different font and different location)

There is quite a bit of interesting history on this hardware company, and a few pdf catalogs on the internet, but I have been unable to estimate the approximate time frame or the OEM of this chisel.

Any information, theories, or 1st had knowledge would be appreciated.

[Papaw]

A beautiful piece! Doesn't need much refurbishing.

[jimwrench]

 Agree with Papaw,thats a purty chisel.

[gibsontool]

Nice looking piece, looks similar to a set of Stanley Everlast chisels that I have.

[lauver]

Gang,

It's not visible in the photo, but the shank is bent in two axis and the tip was ground at an angle.  Nothing major, but it does need to be straightened, squared, and re-sharpened before it goes back in service. 

Sounds like quality time in the shop to me

[Plyerman]

Nothing more satisfying than taking an old tool that is slightly out of kilter and putting it back into working condition.

[1930]

Man that is a good looking tool

[Nolatoolguy]

Looks great.

What are your plans to straighten it out?

[lauver]

Nola,

I usually use my big vise and 3 shoulder bolts hanging over the vise jaws. 

I put 2 shoulder bolts on one jaw, spread so as to cover the length of the bend, and 1 shoulder bolt on the opposite jaw at the center or high point of the bend.

Then insert the tool, between the two jaws and 3 bolt and slowly squeeze the jaws together.  I find that I have to over straighten the tool just a tad to compensate for the springiness of the tool steel  (i.e. over correct the bend). 

Then remove the tool and check it for straightness.  If the tool still has some bend to it, it's back to the vise & bolts for another round of straightening.  Like most things, there are physical limits to this method.

Make sense?  Clear as mud?

It's really a very simple method once you see it done or do it successfully; it works well on screwdrivers, prybars, scrapers, chisels, punchs, flat wrenches, and many other bent things.