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choosing the right sized chisel for a mortise

1K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  wormil 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Okay, this may seem like a silly question, but I am working on my first piece of furniture that utilizes mortise and tenon joinery. Let's say you are making 1" square mortises and started by drilling out the material to the proper depth. In order to clean up the remaining material, would you use a 1" chisel or a smaller chisel, such as 3/4"?

I am sure there are differing opinions on this, but I just wanted to get a taste of people's preferences. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
I would use either a 1 inch chisel, or a much smaller chisel (1/2 or 3/8). A 1 inch chisel will give you equal "bite" on the cutting edge, so there is less chance of the chisel unexpectedly turning. A 3/4 inch chisel would embed one side of the cutting edge more than the other, so the side with less contact could slip. Using a smaller chisel, you would work each corner in the mortise individually.
 
#4 ·
Ideally, you would use a 1" square mortising chisel.

Historically, the work-flow goes like this:

Assume that a 1" wide mortise is appropriate for the application. The marking gauge would be set to the width of the chisel.
The same gauge is then used to strike the thickness of the tenon on the end of the piece to be joined.
 
#5 ·
Well, you just want to take the corners out, so assuming the
drill is 1" I'd use a 1/2" wide chisel at most in order to work
on one corner at a time without the stock on the neighboring
corner interfering. Depending on how clean the sides of
the mortise need to be, you'd either chop out most of the
waste then sneak up on the lines making paring cuts, or
if it's a quicky just chop away.
 
#6 ·
Make your mortise the size of the chisel. This procedure of drilling out first is a new "invention" and completely unnecessary. Once you've marked the length, put the flat side of your chisel just short of that mark, with the bevelled side facing into the waste. One shot with the mallet, then move the chisel back slightly. Two whacks with the mallet. Move chisel back. Three whacks with the mallet. Before you know it, you're done. A quick clean up of the sides and you're finished.
 
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