playing with a parser

[DoctorSpoon]

Before CNC routers were invented a very simple bit of technology did the job - a parser. I was filming a folding knife maker at Taylor's Eye Witness in Sheffield yesterday and Grace who I work with had a go. Here's the bits; a breast plate, a bow, a couple of parsers and the template - this one's a shield:

a better view of the business end

Grace having a go (not very successfully)

Steve showing her how it's done

The result was not ever so tidy but I'm sure you can see where it's going

There's a little bit of video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlF6OTEDaXQ showing it in action too. Such a simple but effective bit of kit when you can use it!
Nicola

 

[Eric_Methven]

Flipin eck! That's just brilliant Nicola. I can think of at least a dozen applications I can use that technique for. Thanks so much for posting it, and for all the really, really useful stuff you post here.

Eric

 

[ganstey]

Looks cool

Am I right in thinking that it works by the 'chisel' ends flying around inside the stencil chipping out the shape?

Its one of those things that I'd love to have a go at, but can't imagine I'd ever use it in 'real life'. Fantastic to see some of the old techniques/crafts being kept alive though.

Excellent video as always, too!
G

 

[Wayland]

I love simple ideas like this......Brilliant. :notworthy

 

[DoctorSpoon]

Am I right in thinking that it works by the 'chisel' ends flying around inside the stencil chipping out the shape?

That's the one. The legs are springy, so you squeeze them together and put the little chisel bits inside the template. As you twiddle, the springyness pushes them outwards so they follow the edges of the template. As Steve says, he picked out one that had too narrow a cutting edge so it wasn't clearing out the centre of the template - it should cut it all away.

We hadn't planned to film that, we were actually there to record their last pen knife maker who works there - most of their production nowadays is kitchen knives. Whilst waiting for the solder pot to come up to temperature Grace found the parser in a box and asked how it worked.

 

[Eric_Methven]

See, you could very well have inadvertently started a new revival. I wonder how many other craft skills have been re-discovered just by being nosey.

Eric

 

[brancho]

Now thats cool stuff.

 

[weaver]

I have seen drawings of those in old woodworking books but never photographs or the tool in use.

Thanks! :You_Rock_

 

[ganstey]

That's the one. The legs are springy, so you squeeze them together and put the little chisel bits inside the template. As you twiddle, the springyness pushes them outwards so they follow the edges of the template. As Steve says, he picked out one that had too narrow a cutting edge so it wasn't clearing out the centre of the template - it should cut it all away.

We hadn't planned to film that, we were actually there to record their last pen knife maker who works there - most of their production nowadays is kitchen knives. Whilst waiting for the solder pot to come up to temperature Grace found the parser in a box and asked how it worked.

Cheers for the clarification Nicola. Very interesting indeed...

G