Specialty Chisels 15 Sharp Problem-Solvers for All Sorts of Tricky Cuts
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Specialty Chisels 15 Sharp problem-solvers for all sorts of tricky cuts. By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk Many of us remember the set of basic bevel-edged chisels Toolbox/Jobsite Companions woodworking. Likewise, we may A sharp chisel is essenti al for a variety of chores, such as morti sing that started our pursuit of �ine hinges, adjusti ng trim, and cleaning up cuts. In additi on, "jobber" chores that required the touch chisels help ensure that your good set stays safe at your bench. ofrecall a different encountering kind of the chisel. �irst Short butt chisels are easy to control and to stash in a But selecting these newcomer pocket or pouch. If you prefer a longer blade, FastCap’s folding specialists for our chisel arsenals handle shields the edge from receiving (and causing) damage, can be tricky. Although a chisel is but is sturdy enough to withstand metal hammer blows. fundamentally a simple tool, over For quicker morti ses, a corner chisel registers against the lip the years it has morphed into of routed morti ses and fi nishes the corner with a tap. overwhelming,myriad con�igurations and selecting to suit the WoodRiver Butt Chisel Set wrongspeci�ic ones tasks. can The be choicesexpensive. can be 152169, $59.50 Here, I've turned the focus WoodRiver Corner Chisel on function. Seeing what each #143717, $14.99 tool is used for can help you appreciate certain attributes FastCap PC-1 1-Inch Pocket Chisel, and shine a light on the ones $28.25, Amazon.com that you need to make quicker, cleaner cuts on your projects. Photos: Ralph Anderson Dec/Jan 2015 woodcraftmagazine.com 69 1 Henry Taylor Swan-Neck Chisel, ⁄4" Medium-Duty 58S07.01, $33.50, leevalley.com M o r ti s e r s Mortising chisels were designed to handle the abuse of being malleted into the wood and then levered to remove waste. Modern machinery has eliminated the need to own a full set, but having a few can help you tackle chores that would blow out your bench Sorby 332 Morti se chisels, or require a pricey jig. 1 Chisel, ⁄4" Sash chisels rank as middle- #154358, $43.50 weights in the mortising chisel arena, but these former window- Morti sing chisels sport harder handles and thicker blades in makers are nicely suited for order to withstand the rigors of chopping and prying out chips. most furniture-scale joinery. A swan-neck chisel can help clean waste from deep morti ses. With thick blades (typically ground with 30° bevels) and unbreakable handles, sash to remove the materal that's chisels can easily handle typically left after hogging out shaped scraping tool can help shallow mortises with just a the waste with a drill press. cleanyour mortiser. the bottoms This of oddly blind mallet. For deep mortises, this Consider adding a swan- mortises, such as those used is the chisel you'd reach for neck chisel to complement for locksets or small tenons. Heavy-Duty M o r ti s e r s Referred to as "framing" or designed to take a serious frames and wooden boats. It is "registered" chisels (depending also handy for less ambitious on the size and shape of the essential when tackling large- projects, such as shaving the blade), these hefty blades are scalepounding. projects This such type as of timber chisel is walls of larger mortises after removing the waste at the drill Heavy-duty morti sers are a perfect match for substanti al morti se press, or for cleaning up joints and tenon joinery. Although designed to stand up to mallet on outdoor projects after using blows, the large chisel can also pare tenon a circular saw. In addition to shoulders and cheeks. mortising, a freshly-honed framing chisel can also be enlisted for delicate paring cuts. When selecting a chisel, look for a socket handle (as on the larger chisel shown). Socket handles are more durable than tang handles Pinnacle Socket Firmer Chisel, 2" and are easier to replace. 154598, $132.50 A corner chisel makes Sorby Corner 3 quick, clean work of squaring Chisel, ⁄8" 85S07.03, $76.50, up the corners of both deep leevalley.com only downside is that the tool canand beshallow tricky mortises. to sharpen. The 70 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2015 1 Takahashi (skew), ⁄4" right 156764, $52.00 japanwoodworker.com Detail Chisels 1 2 1 Bachi Nomi (fi shtail), ⁄ " Takahashi (skew), ⁄4" left 155904, $52.98, 156093, $53.00 Japanese tool-makers produce a japanwoodworker.com japanwoodworker.com wide array of specialty chisels. Cherry-picking a few blades can into�lesh otherwise out any bench inaccessible chisel set. corners,For �itting treat joints yourself and to getting this trio of push chisels. As the name suggests, these tools should be hand driven, like the paring offer a comfortable grip for chisels below. The long handles blades are short (for better The angled ends of these push chisels can reach into corners that are one- or two-handed cuts. The cutting control) but the long too ti ght for regular bevel-edge chisels. The fi shtail chisel can be used necks extend the reach of the for right and left corners. Skew chisels should be bought as a pair. blades so that they're comparable to Western bench chisels. paring end grain, trimming takahashi, or skew, chisels tenon shoulders, or cleaning for getting into tight spots in makeThe them angled a great blades addition of the to inside corners. Similarly, the mortisesor �ishtail and chisel, blind is handydovetails, any workshop. Use them for without damaging the side walls. �lared end of the bachi-nomi, Paring Chisels Despite obvious physical chores, but while the smaller differences, paring chisels have plane can sneak into tighter paring chisels enhance control one thing in common: they are spots, the longer chisel is easier to whenThe nestled long handles below on the some user's designed to be driven with hand control (and easier to sharpen). shoulder, which allows steering 1 2"-long Narex offers the edge while simultaneously used for a variety of shaving a reach⁄ and registration not powering through wide shavings. pressure. These tools can be foundThe 9 when using shorter- trimming plugs, and removing bladed bench chisels. glue.chores, Selecting such as the �itting right joints, parer(s) involves balancing convenience Paring chisels are intended to make shavings and control. For example, the like a plane. Arm yourself with diff erent sizes to chisel plane and bent paring chisel accommodate various chiseling challenges. can be used for similar 1 Narex Paring Chisel, ⁄2" 10S09.84, $33.00, leevalley.com WoodRiver Cranked Neck Chisel Plane Set, #151240, $41.99 WoodRiver Bent 1 Paring Chisel, ⁄2" #157917, $19.99 Matsamura Paring 1 Chisel, 1 ⁄2" Barr Timber Framing #156024, $141.00, 5 Slick, 2 ⁄8" japanwoodworker.com #149506, $192.50 Dec/Jan 2015 woodcraftmagazine.com 71 SUBSCRIBE! 2 YEARS for $29.99! go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE -or- Complete the form below and mail in an envelope addressed to: WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE PO BOX 7020 PARKERSBURG WV 26102-9916 □ Payment Enclosed □ Bill Me Name Address City State Zip Country E-mail Best-ever DECORATIVE FINISHES Build Better Send in now to get LUMBER RACK Done Right with a CUT LIST Projects, Techniques and Products Build this 2 Years for $29.99! classic SPICE BOX And learn how to… Dovetail a case Divide a cabinet into compartments or go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE Create a cornice By providing my e-mail address, I am indicating I’d like to receive information about my subscription and other offers from Woodcraft Magazine via e-mail. Outside of the U.S and Canada add $30 for postage. Plus… Foreign orders must be prepaid. Payment in U.S. Funds only. 4 more projects Famous furniture.