Chisel

Chisels cut, shape, carve, and chip away at various materials. They’re incredibly useful and among the most versatile instruments in any tool kit. But one chisel isn’t made for every task, and you may need several if you’re working on numerous projects. To help you determine which tools you need, we’ve gathered the 20 different types of chisels that you need to know about if you’re serious about your craft. From woodworking to masonry, these chisels can be used in almost every setting imaginable. The 20 Different Types of Carpentry Chisels 1. Paring Chisels Unlike most chisels, you shouldn’t hit your paring chisel with a mallet. They are thin, long, flexible chisels that are meant for shaving off tiny amounts of wood to create precise-fitting joints. 2. Mortise Chisels Mortising chisels are made to create a special hole called a mortise. A mortise is made for a tenon joint, and the holes are square or rectangular so that an interlocking piece (the tenon) will fit. These chisels are made thick and strong so that they can withstand the hard hits it takes to make a hole in solid wood. Luckily, you don’t need these chisels in a wide range of sizes. One or two should do, with ¼-inch and ⅜-inch being the most common sizes. 3. Framing Chisels Framing chisels are large, heavy-duty tools intended for making deep cuts in wood. They’re meant for the heaviest woodworking, so they’re built extra-durable with reinforced handles that can take repeated heavy blows without mushrooming or s...

A chisel looks deceiving. On the surface, it appears to be a simple tool that has a few purposes. But this simple tool can do a lot of things. It can be handy in carving and cutting materials ranging from stone, metal, and wood. It is a fixture in construction sites and woodworking shops. Chisels are commonly used by professionals and hobbyists alike. History of Chisel Tool The tool gets its name from the Later on, those tools would evolve. First, flints made of copper and later on, bronze, were developed for working on materials like soft stone and wood. Intricate sculptures in ancient civilizations elsewhere in the world, such as Central and South America, reveal how chisels were used extensively by our forefathers. What Is a Chisel? A chisel has two primary parts—the blade and handle. Commonly forged from a piece of steel, the blade typically has a cutting bevel at one end and a socket or tang at the other. The handle, meanwhile, is often made from hardwood or synthetic material. It is also often contoured to provide the best grip for the user. The blade of the chisels comes in different width sizes. For mortising in small doors, a chisel with a width of ¼ inch should be sufficient for the task at hand. But the larger cousin, the ½ inch variety, is long enough for most mortising jobs. What Do You Use Chisels For? Chisels are also widely used in the aviation industry, particularly in the manufacture and refurbishing of turbine blades. At home, chisels are used for renova...

Introduction A chisel that's in good shape and only in need of a new edge can be sharpened in very little time. But if your chisel is really dinged up, this method would be way too slow, so we'll also show you how to speed up the process by prepping your chisel with a bench grinder. Tools Required • Dust mask • Grinding wheel • Leather gloves • Rags • Safety glasses • Sharpening stone • Star wheel dresser Materials Required • Lubricating oil • Plate glass • Wet/dry sandpaper The first thing you’ll need is a piece of 1/4-in.-thick glass. The exact size isn’t important. A glass shelf, which you can buy for about $10, works well. Glass is extremely flat, so it’s ideal for sharpening. Next comes the sandpaper. Use high-quality sandpaper-pick the most expensive paper at the home center. The cheap stuff cuts too slow and wears out fast. Look for a combo pack that includes 80-, 150- and 220-grit paper. You’ll also need spray adhesive for sticking the sandpaper to the glass. A low-tack adhesive is best (it’s available at art supply and craft stores), but the standard spray you’ll find at home centers is also OK-just follow the directions to make a ‘temporary bond.’ When you change paper, use a solvent to remove glue residue from the glass (lacquer thinner works great). Low-tack sprays leave much less adhesive behind than standard sprays. ⓘ Glue Sandpaper to Glass • Prepare your sharpening surface by cutting a sheet of 80-grit sandpaper to fit your glass. • Spray a small amount of ...

A sharp wood chisel can cut mortises, shave rough surfaces, chop out corners and scrape off glue. We'll demonstrate these techniques and show you how to sharpen your chisel. The wood chisel is an indispensable member of your tool set. We'll show you how to get the most out of it. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine You might also like: TBD Time An hour or less Complexity Intermediate Cost Less than $20 Wood chisel basics You may not need one often, but when it comes time to carve out a recess for a hinge or strike plate, nothing beats a razor-sharp chisel. We’ll show you basic chiseling techniques and sharpening tips so you’ll be ready for any chiseling task with a woodworking chisel set. Start with a new sharp 3/4-in. chisel for all-purpose use. (Keep your old dull chisel handy for jobs like cutting nails or scraping caulk.) Buy one with an impact-resistant plastic handle. You can pound on these with a hammer without damaging them. Good-quality chisels don’t cost much, and if you have a little extra cash, buy three—1/2-in., 3/4-in. and 1-in.—for a good starter set. Even new Technique 1: Mortise cuts Photo 1: Mortise cut Face the bevel down. Push or tap the back of the chisel to remove thin slices. Control the depth by raising and lowering the handle. Start recesses or mortises by outlining the area with a sharp utility knife or by making a series of shallow chisel cuts perpendicular to the surface. Skip this step and you risk chipping wood outside...

Photo: Ben Brusie Metal hand tools with either a straight or beveled edge, chisels have been around for thousands of years, standing the test of time as a woodworking essential. They’re used to shave off excess wood, fashion intricate wood joints, and carve out custom designs. Wood chisels are a necessity for making fine furniture, and all serious woodworkers need a quality set at their disposal. But buying the wrong type of chisels for the job—or an inferior product—is a waste of money, so we performed hands-on testing on a number of models to home in on the best wood chisels available. Use this guide to learn the vital factors and features to look for when shopping, and check out our specific product recommendations. • BEST OVERALL: • BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: • BEST INTRO CHISEL SET: • BEST ALL-PURPOSE CHISEL: Photo: Ben Brusie How We Tested the Best Wood Chisels All of the following woodworking chisels were tested in the manufacturing process for real kitchens by a professional woodworker in a Michigan cabinetmaking shop. In choosing these chisels, we considered first and foremost the overall finish of the blade, whether the casting is square or pitted, and the quality of the metal. After all, a well-finished blade will affect the quality of the work. For versatility, we looked for sets that had a good number of different-size chisels. And, although it’s best to sharpen chisels prior to use, we considered how well the chisels worked right out of the box. Our Top Picks We...