AusBonsai

hi people

i have a slight prob with one of my tools, the branch cutter has opened slightly at the top instead of over lapping slightly to get that clean cut.

they are still overlapping at the bottom so its just the top section, i was thinking of just using a hammer but have thought that these tools would be tempered and will chip quite easily, thats the last thing i want to happen as the set is quite expensive.
any ideas on get them back overlapping i will be very greatful


jamie

I have twisted and bent my cutters back into shape with spanners and a hammer. I broke one pair doing this but that was the cheapest set.
Tom has an article on fixing tools over at bonsai vault. I think he just grinds till they match though???
http://bonsaivaultforum.freeforums.org/ ... -t830.html
Might help a bit

I re-condition old / broken tools. Post a pic, i'll let you know how I would fix them.

thanks for the link brett, i will check it out, it is basically a small twist but i am not happy with it.

i will get a pic up soon mitch.

jamie

Dont buy cheap tools.....hope this helps !

Cheers,
Leigh.

Leigh Taafe wrote:Dont buy cheap tools.....hope this helps !

Cheers,
Leigh.

Seconded now go and buy a new pair.
Jamie if you are sharpening them yourself!!. Remember the machining starts from way down on the blade. That is where you sharpening should start.
With a fine stone, and the motion is always one way. Over the years I have had to repair many.
Mostly the women's because when they got home handy hubby would say they need sharpening as they overlap. the same with the scissors as they were loose,so a good whack with the hammer. No matter how many times you tell people they are biting tools, so they need the over bite,the scissors need the looseness so you do not ruin them trying to cut what they were not meant too. It still happens.

The reason for a new pair they will never be the same, but do make good root pruners.

Cheers Pup

Leigh Taafe wrote:Dont buy cheap tools.....hope this helps !

Cheers,
Leigh.

i wouldnt call them cheap tools, they are joshua roth..

i get what ya saying bout the overlap pup, the reason why i want to fix them is that they are practically brand new, i have only had them for about 2 months!

they still overlap at the bottom of the cutter, just at the top there is a 1mm gap, surely they can be fixed? without having to buy a new pair. they ended up like this from trying to clean up a stub on a clero


jamie

Jamie - sorry for not being so helpful! Just wanted to make a point - not to you in particular - just to the general bonsai public - you REALLY do get what you pay for with bonsai tools. Even your $80 Japanese branch cutters are not that great - they are good - but not great. Anything cheaper than this is just going to be pretty average.

Now that the damage is done - no point rubbing your nose in it! To tell you the truth, I wouldnt know how to fix them - I have never tried - but, then again, I am in a different situation to most in that if I damage a tool - I usually just get another one off the shelf. But experience has taught me that I shouldnt bother with cheap tools.

Cheers mate!

Leigh.

Oh - Joshua Roth - well that would explain it.

Joshua Roth tools are an exception to the above rule, particularly if you bought them in Australia, as you dont really get what you pay for. Joshua Roth tools are a cheap Japanese tool that are exported from Japan to the USA (add freight and dealers margin), then if they are sold to an Australian reseller (add freight and margin) then sold to you (add freight) .......you get the idea.

Cheers,
Leigh.

cheers leigh all good i know what ya saying, i know these arent top of the line but they arent the cheap crap either, im not really in the situation right now just to go and get another pair unfortunatly, im still paying for this set

and yes it is a good point you make that cheap tools are cheap tools and will eventually break or not do the job properly to begin with.

i will see how i go in fixing these and go from there.

jamie

Hi Jamie,

Not everyone can go out and buy two or three hundred dollar cutters, and most beginners wouldnt even think of doing that. That is why there is a market for cheap tools.

My advice for anyone buying tools is to think about what you want out of your hobby, how many trees you will have, how long you will be doing it, etc etc. Then go out and buy the best tools you can afford. But, be aware, that the less you spend, the shorter time your tool will keep you happy.

Cheers,
Leigh.

to right there mate

if i could of afforded the masakuni? tools i would but at $6000 a set it will take me about 5 years to pay off

You love your bonsai mate - stick it out with your Joshy Roths for the next 6 years, in the mean time - go to the bank and set up a Masakuni Savings Account - throw a few bucks in each week for 6 years - then ...... BOOYA! Masakuni at Jamie's place! How good would that be?

Jamie wrote:to right there mate

if i could of afforded the masakuni? tools i would but at $6000 a set it will take me about 5 years to pay off

My wife would've killed me before I made the first payment!

Leigh Taafe wrote:You love your bonsai mate - stick it out with your Joshy Roths for the next 6 years, in the mean time - go to the bank and set up a Masakuni Savings Account - throw a few bucks in each week for 6 years - then ...... BOOYA! Masakuni at Jamie's place! How good would that be?

now that would be a treat, it would have to be a secret account though if the missus found out she would use the wire cutters on something they werent designed for