Questions tagged [chisel]

A flat-bladed hand tool usually struck by a mallet to cut and shape wood.

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2 votes
1 answer
91 views

Why can't I flatten the back of my mortice chisel?

The back of my mortice chisel is not completely flat. Specifically, the corners of the cutting edge are both slightly shallower than the rest of the back face, meaning they aren't honed to form a ...
1 vote
1 answer
105 views

Cleaning up bowties

I am new to hand tools and to bowties. After several videos and several attempts, I think I am getting the hang of the inlaying part. The making of the bowties still puzzles me though. Most tutorials ...
17 votes
4 answers
3k views

What criteria would want me to bevel my chisel in a certain way

In my continuing attempts to learn all the things another question stemmed from watching a chisel sharpening video from Paul Sellers. When sharpening his new chisel (he explained that he does this to ...
1 vote
1 answer
183 views

Need help identifying a set of Japanese bench chisels

I ran across an auction of a set of Japanese bench chisels, and there wasn't a lot of info provided (and yes I bid because I'm an easy mark), so I'm trying to gather some details from the photos. The ...
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to properly deburr a chisel

I'm struggling getting my chisels as sharp as I want them to. For example, they "catch" on almost all woods and by no means cut any hairs from my arm. I've bought the plans and built John Heinz's ...
7 votes
3 answers
23k views

To what angle should I sharpen my chisel?

So I got some cheap chisels and they're all ground to different angles and I want to correct this on the bench grinder. I am going to do this free hand, I might build a jig. But I want to know what is ...
2 votes
1 answer
296 views

Are sharpening jigs reasonably universal? [closed]

I'm considering buying a new sharpening system, either the Axminster Ultimate Edge Reverse or a Sorby Pro-Edge. And I'm wondering about sharpening jigs, I've got chisels and woodturning tools, but I'...
2 votes
3 answers
444 views

How do I avoid cutting my fingers on the sides of my chisel when paring?

When paring waste from dovetails with a chisel I often slice up my fingers on the back edge of my chisels. This forum thread discusses this topic with two recommendations: Just let your hands develop ...
2 votes
1 answer
873 views

Creating a shallow recess in Ikea countertop for sink flange

I am installing new butcher block-style counters in my kitchen. The new sink has a flat flange around the edge. (It is made to work as as undermount or a drop-in.) I want to drop in the sink. ...
4 votes
1 answer
621 views

Turning chisel handle templates?

I'm new to turning and I'm looking to turn some chisel handles, but I want them all to look the same. Are there any printable online templates that anyone knows of? Is there anyway I can create my ...
23 votes
4 answers
10k views

How does one aggressively sharpen chisels and plane irons when damaged?

I have a lot of finds from garage sales and from picking out tools from my grandfather's old shop. While he mostly keeps his tools in great working order he had some that I would guess he didn't feel ...
6 votes
4 answers
11k views

How do I sharpen curved tools like gouges?

My uncle gave me a set or carving gouges and chisels that he was not going to use anymore. They need to be cleaned as they have a little bit of rust on them. More importantly they look like they ...
0 votes
1 answer
591 views

How do you create an organic or chiseled edge on a wood slab?

I am working on a live edge coffee table. The two long sides are the live edges and look great, and organic, and natural. The other two sides are boring, flat cuts. I want to make the two short ...
1 vote
1 answer
778 views

Chisel not cutting through grain

I'm a 15 year old boy who likes to do basic woodworking. I got an old chisel that I sharped using an old wetstone. It's pretty sharp but there is a small problem. If I try to (I don't know what it's ...
1 vote
0 answers
331 views

Tool identification (Chisel )

I have a double bevel chisel/knife. Any information about this tool? Thanks]1
3 votes
4 answers
6k views

Where to get end caps for chisels or what to use instead?

Often, chisels bought new will have end caps, as shown in the image below. However, I have a number of old chisels and gouges that lack end caps. What can I use to protect their edges and protect ...
10 votes
3 answers
3k views

Sharpening - grit progression

When sharpening tools such as chisels and plane irons, I do little and often, stopping work, 20-30 strokes or so on a 3000 grit water stone (this is enough to get a burr the full width of the blade), ...
1 vote
1 answer
487 views

Making a 8 Sided Wooden Pyramid

I am trying to create an 8 sided pyramid out of a solid piece of cherry that is 1" thick. The size of the base of the pyramid can be seen in the attached photo: (all dimensions are in inches) https://...
4 votes
3 answers
262 views

Recommended tools for a lathe

I am making a homemade lathe with a drill. I have previously done some wood carving and looking to get into some lathe / turning work. I have a few chisels from some wood carving and wondering what ...
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is the "paper test" actually relevant to sharpening chisels and planes?

It is pretty common to see references to the "paper test" for checking for sharpness of an edge -- the idea that you should be able to lightly rest the blade against the edge of a piece of paper and ...
3 votes
2 answers
306 views

Reinforcing/repairing a soundboard

So essentially I was making a bowed lyre (jouhikko/tagelharpa), which requires a thin spruce soundboard. I am going to make it by gluing three boards together as shown in this YouTube video: https://...
5 votes
2 answers
195 views

How would I go about recreating this surface?

I saw this surface on a bench and I would like to attempt to recreate it: I have the vague idea I could try to do this with some kind of chisel, but I have no idea how to get started or if I'm even ...
1 vote
3 answers
1k views

Is there such a thing as a woodworking chisel with a high-speed steel tip?

I do metalworking in addition to woodworking (as a hobbyist in both cases). As I was sharpening my chisels, I was thinking I would like it if the edges held up a bit longer. Reflecting on that a bit ...
4 votes
5 answers
527 views

How to avoid damaging the ends of mortise holes when chiseling?

I've watched a couple of videos of making mortises. What technique should I use to remove (bulk) waste from the hole without damaging the ends of the mortise hole? Clearly levering against them ...
0 votes
2 answers
98 views

Make a gift card holder with no power tools [closed]

completely new woodworker and I wanted to make the object shown on the website and video below, without power tools, I understand that chisels can be used but can someone explain me how and which ...
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can I use sculptor chisels with a lathe?

I got a tiny (almost "toy") lathe, for turning wood. The problem is the chisel I got with it was totally a toy; total crap made of some bendy, soft iron I ruined on the first try. The lathe, tiny as ...
6 votes
5 answers
4k views

Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?

I have a chisel set and drill bits that have never been sharpened after purchased and I want to purchase sharpening equipment, but I'm confused by the variety of options. So far I've found 3 possible ...
7 votes
1 answer
201 views

What angles should I be honing to for what type of chisels/planes/uses? [closed]

I'm new to honing/sharpening and am a little confused about which angles I should be trying to hone my chisels/plane blades to (given the type and their usage). Any general rules of thumb that I can ...
22 votes
4 answers
3k views

How do I sharpen a chisel/plane blade?

I'm getting started with woodworking and am looking to refine my technique for sharpening chisel/plane blades. Currently, I just have a cheap double-sided water stone, but am now looking to get a "...
10 votes
1 answer
5k views

How do I chisel against the grain without splintering?

I've been practicing chiseling lately. I had to cut a corner out of a 3/4" thick piece of pine and I was feeling good so I gave it a shot. The position of the corner meant I had to cut against the ...
11 votes
3 answers
534 views

What should one consider when purchasing an intro turning chisel set?

I'm a total beginner when it comes to turning, but am interested in doing more of it both to help augment my woodworking (e.g. everything from custom button plugs to chair legs etc) as well as to do ...
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does it matter what type of mallet I use with my chisels?

Somewhere I read that you should use a round mallet to hit a square chisel and a square (I assume this means flat-faced) mallet to hit round chisels because otherwise when you strike the chisel you ...
3 votes
1 answer
784 views

How to harden a steel chisel/blade? [closed]

I wonder of some sharpening technique can reduce chisel efficiency, so maybe after giving the chisel a nice cut it worth re-hardening it so it will last a longer in time. I know I can heat it and ...