AZN-Catalog2014

THE PRO'S ADVICE

JOHN DAVIES CARPENTER

MAKE YOUR CHISELSWORK HARDER

VERTICAL PARING

STEP 1 Vertical paring is the means of cutting wood, across the grain, with the chisel in an upright position using hand power or light striking with a mallet. This skill is important in cutting parts of most commonly used wood joints and for trimming material back to a cut line. Take particular care when paring with the grain, as there is strong possibility of splitting.

STEP 2 Secure the work to the bench with a C clamp taking care to place a piece of scrap material between the work piece and the bench to avoid damage.

STEP 3 For the right handed user hold the chisel blade in a pen-hold grip, index finger at the front with the back of the blade supported by the third finger and thumb resting on the left hand edge of the blade around 25mm back from the cutting edge, or in a position that also enables the little finger and edge of the hand to rest on the work piece. The left hand grips the handle with the thumb uppermost.

STEP 4 Aim to remove only a very small amount of material at each pass of the chisel; depending on the hardness of the wood and the sharpness of the chisel you should remove no more than 0.5 to 1.0mm at each cut.

STEP 5 If you are cutting back to a knife marked line, ensure that you hold the chisel perfectly vertically and always lever forward away from the marked line to ensure that the defined edge of the cut is not bruised or rounded over. To add a little more power to the cut push down on the end of the handle with the right shoulder.

STEP 6 Finally when there is no more than 0.5mm to remove place the widest chisel available in the knife cut and apply pressure vertically until you reach the bottom of the cut. If you attempt to cut too much at this stage there is a risk that the chisel will be forced back over the line.

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