153
THE PRO’S
ADVICE
MAKE YOUR CHISELS WORK HARDER
JOHN DAVIES
CARPET FITTER
HORIZONTAL PARING
STEP 1
Horizontal paring is the technique of removing waste mate-
rial once the limits of the cut have been defined by either sawing or
vertical paring with a chisel. By following this procedure the risk of
damaging splits is minimised.
STEP 2
Secure the work in a vice or clamp to the bench.
STEP 3
For the right-handed person grip the handle of the chisel with
the end tucked into the palm of the right hand and the thumb and
index finger on either side of the handle.The right hand applies the
power to the cut. Tuck your elbow into your side to give you more
controlled power.
STEP 4
The left hand controls the precision of the cut either by placing
the four fingers of the left hand on top of the blade and the thumb
underneath, or for very fine work place the thumb on top and index
finger of the left hand underneath close up to the cutting edge.
STEP 5
Before making any horizontal cut across or down the grain
always ensure that you have sawn down to depth before you start
to remove the waste material. To minimise the risk of splitting at
the far edge of a through housing it is a good technique to work in
from both sides to the middle.
NOTE:
Take care when setting out your cutting lines to use a knife cut
or a gauged line, this is more accurate than a pencil line.
TIP 1
If you have to strike the chisel it is much better to use a mallet
than a hammer, because the larger striking face of the mallet can be
brought down on the end of the handle without having to look at it,
leaving you to concentrate on what the cutting edge is doing.
TIP 2
With only a few exceptions the chisel should be used with
the bevel facing upwards or away from the user.
TIP 3
If you need to use a mallet when making a series of vertical cuts
position the work over the leg of the bench to minimise vibration and
to work more effectively.
TIP 4
Resist clamping the work in a vice unless you have supported
the underside. Do not be tempted to use a hammer or mallet on wood
held in the vice.
TOP TIP
Drill out waste material from deep mortises before ‘cleaning
up’ with a chisel.
