USE/CARE OF HANDTOOLS & MEASURING TOOLS - OD1621 - LESSON 2/TASK 2
7 Examine the grain of the wood to see which way it runs.
Cut with the grain (figure 82 on the previous page). This severs the fibers
and leaves the wood smooth. Cutting against the grain splits the wood and
leaves it rough. This type of cut cannot be controlled.
(b) To Cut Horizontally With the Grain. Grasp the chisel handle
in one hand with the thumb extended towards the blade (figure 83 on the
following page). The cut is controlled by holding the blade firmly with the
other hand, knuckles up and the hand well back of the cutting edge.
The
hand on the chisel handle is used to force the chisel into the wood. The
other hand pressing downward on the chisel blade regulates the length and
depth of the cut.
The chisel will cut more easily and leaves a smoother
surface when the cutting edge is held at a slight diagonal to the direction
of the cut, or is given a slight lateral sliding motion (figure 82). This
is done by holding the tool at a slight angle and moving it to one side as
it is pushed forward, or by moving it slightly from left to right at the
same time you push it forward. With cross-grained wood, it is necessary to
work from both directions to avoid splitting the wood at the edges. Do not
hurry. Cut only fine shavings. If thick shavings are cut, the tool may dig
in and split off a piece of wood which was not intended to be removed.
(c) To Cut Horizontally Across the Grain. Work must be held in a
vise and most of the waste wood is removed by the chisel with the bevel held
down.
On light work, use hand pressure or light blows on the end of the
chisel handle with the palm of the right-hand. On heavy work, use a mallet.
To avoid splitting at the edges, cut from each edge to the center and
slightly upward, so that the waste wood at the center is removed last
(figure 83 on the following page). Finishing cuts are made with the flat
side of the chisel down.
Never use a mallet when making finishing cuts,
even on large work. One hand pressure is all that is necessary to drive the
chisel, which is guided by the thumb and forefinger of the other hand.
Finish cuts should also be made from each edge toward the center. Do not
cut all the way across from one edge to another or the far edge may split.
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