How to Use a Chisel
Chisels can be used by being tapped lightly with a mallet, or they can be worked by hand. Follow these guidelines to be sure you've chosen the right chisel for the job.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Butt Chisels
- Cold Chisels
- Deep-mortise Chisels
- Firmer Chisels
- Mallets
- Mortise Chisels
- Paring Chisels
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1
Look over the workpiece for knots and nails.
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2
Clamp the workpiece so that it doesn't move.
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3
Make sure that the cutting edge of the chisel is sharp. A dull chisel is hard to control and makes the job harder than it needs to be.
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4
Stand with both feet on the floor and don't overreach.
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5
Use a wood or plastic mallet with a large face. Never use a steel hammer.
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6
Position the chisel with its bevel side up for deep cuts, convex curves and in places where the chisel can be nearly level to the work.
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7
Position the chisel with its bevel side down for concave curves and fine shaving and in confined spaces.
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8
Face the bevel toward the waste side for square-sided cuts.
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9
Tap the chisel lightly while holding it at an angle of 45 degrees.
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10
Point the chisel away from your body.
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11
Chisel across the grain and then with the grain - otherwise, the chisel will split the wood.
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12
Make smooth finishing cuts by hand without the mallet.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Never use your chisel as a wedge or prying tool, or you will damage the cutting edge.
Don't use a wood chisel on metal.
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Comments
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u d 4k up,.
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Bodacious
Aug 03, 2007
Hinge Plates - Chissel several notches to keep the depth even and so YOU control the cut, not the wood grain.
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Bodacious
Aug 03, 2007
Hinge Plates - Chissel several notches to keep the depth even and so YOU control the cut, not the wood grain.
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Nov 22, 2005
Never use a dull chisel, it will make the task almost impossible and will tend to slip and could cause serious damage to your work piece or the operator.
