Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 12, 2002 05:26am | #1

   First thing to check is the cutting edge.  You need a good sharp chisel before you start.  A sharp edge will make the learning curve smaller and you won't get frustrated as much.  Do a search to see if you can find some tips on sharpening tools.

   Scott

   Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

1. 
   b1gcountry | Dec 12, 2002 06:47pm | #2

   It might be dull tools, but you aren't just trying to chop straight down, are you? You have to chop down, then remove the chip, then chop down some more, then remove another chip, etc. If you just stick the chisel in the wood and start hannering on it, it acts more like a log splitter than a cutting tool.

   Tom

1. 
   BG | Dec 12, 2002 06:52pm | #4

   Maybe I'm not removing the chips frequently enough?  ..or getting chips removed  close enough to my cut line?

1. 
   sbonder | Dec 12, 2002 07:15pm | #5

   what wood?  i notice that i get some chunck popping out on cherry, but mahogany remains perfect.  you might also try a SLIGHT undercut.  That is, not perfectly 90 degrees, just a tad in so that you end up with a shallow v.  the end grain won't provide much if any glue holding power anyway.

1. 
   BG | Dec 12, 2002 07:30pm | #6

   S,

   I had the problem in mahognay first..thought it might be a  bad piece.  Same, same in maple and last night in several pieces of pine I cut up to practice on.  What about width of blade, could that make a difference?  I normally use a 12mm (1/2 " about) to start out with.  The other thing I wonder, am I letting the edge bounce...

2. 
   Alan | Dec 13, 2002 04:42am | #8

   BG,

   I like the advice to try making paring cuts rather than driving the chisel with a mallet.  You will quickly find out if your tools are really sharp.  One of the pitfalls of SS is that you can very easily dub the edge without knowing it; it will still shave hair but won't cut end grain.

   Alan

3. 
   BG | Dec 13, 2002 06:55am | #9

   I just tried some horizontal paring...pretty easy in pine...not so easy in maple.

2. 
   b1gcountry | Dec 12, 2002 07:57pm | #7

   Are you cutting all the way through the waste on one side, or flipping the board over when you're half way through? Try making a paring cut on end grain and seeing how that turns out.

   Tom

2. 
   BG | Dec 12, 2002 06:48pm | #3

   Scott,

   There sharp chisels I'm using, believe me, that is the first thing I took care of..up to 2000 grit.  Even my wife noticed how much hair was missing on the back of my hand...lol.

   I've tried to use a block  of wood to ensure i was staying at 90 degrees, and taken back cuts to open up the space for the edge of the blade to do its work of cutting.  Nothing seems to work...chunks get removed instead..leving holes on the inside.