Turning cheap Chinese chisels into premium quality chisels

Hey guys I seen these cheap chisels in Aldi and I thought could these be made better, good wee project to get me started as I’ve been ill the last 3 weeks so perfect wee project and thought it make a good video.
Hope you enjoy and if you do end up enjoying consider subscribing.
Thank you.

[@warrencash5577]

Good to see you back and well

[@peterbradbury1592]

You have been watching a true professional woodworker. Great job.

[@PhillWyattProjects]

I've just bought those Aldi chisels they seem good value. Those handles you made look awesome!

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

That's a really nice result. Using more value in brass than the chisels cost is quite funny, though. I use cheap chisels at work, spend time sharpening them, then some git pulls one out of your toolbag and starts attacking plasterboard with it.

[@joewilson4436]

This was a fun video. As you said at the start, my biggest concern was the quality of the steel. It looked like you could cut it pretty easily with a file which shouldn’t be possible with good quality hardened steel (as far as I understand). You mentioned you thought it was 20-30 rc which was surprising to me, is that Rockwell or some other unit? Good chisels are usually 58+ Rockwell from what I undertand. But when you used it, it seemed to hold an edge for at least a little while, so it must not have been that soft (or I really don’t understand the Rockwell scale).
I think it was James Wright who did a really extensive chisel test and tested some Aldi brand chisels that actually performed pretty well, I’m not sure if it was these ones. But maybe the steel isn’t quite as bad as we would expect?
You mentioned case hardening but I was wondering if you might try to retemper it and make them a bit harder. I dunno if that would cause other problems though, like making them more brittle and prone to chipping? Anyway, that would be neat to see if you try it someday.

[@samknox4706]

Stumbled upon this video by chance. Enjoyed it so much I ended up subbing to your channel.
Cheers man.

[@matthewweinberger7023]

might have to pick some up myself

[@KathrynLiz1]

Decent steel for the price....... could probably harden it some more if really needed....

[@jamanjeval]

I have a 5 piece set of Aldi chisels, but they have wood handles out of the box. I sharpened them similar to how you did and they’re fine. I wrap the full length of the blades with cardboard and put tape around that and to close off the end to make sleeves to prevent the blades from getting banged around and dull.