The sophisticated wood sculpture has many complex stages, from wood selection to carving, oil sweeping to oil spraying. To create work, in addition to the creativity and skill of the artist, there is also a need to have the right tools. For every type of builder, there are a few necessary tools. One of those is a chisel, which is a simple and multifaceted tool for woodworkers. Thus, it is only essential to know how to carve wood with a chisel.
Basic Styles and Types of Chisel
Chisels, gouges, and V-tools are all chisels to a carver. Though it simplifies the description, it isn’t accurate. The cutting edge of a chisel is a rectangular shape, while the gouge has a curved cutting edge. A V-tool comprises two rectangular profiles brought together at a common point. Before we discuss how to carve wood with a chisel, we must first know the different styles and types of chisels.
- Beveled Edge Bench Chisel– This is the most common and most important set of chisels found in a cabinet shop. It is not too short nor too long. The backs of a chisel should be flat and beveled on the sides to allow maximum access to dovetails.
- Heavy Duty Beveled Edge Chisel – This one is similar in appearance but different in application. This chisel is much like bench chisel but is highly durable.
- Japanese Bench Tools – The blades of these chisels are much thicker. It is a lot sharper at the edges. The increased sharpness of this Japanese bench tools makes them excellent at cleaning cuts through softer woods.
- Mortise Chisel – It is specialized for specifically cutting shallow mortises.
- Paring Chisel – This type of chisel is made for creating joints. It can perform delicate work because of its thin and sharp end.
How to Use Wood Chisel
Before we get started on how to carve wood with a chisel, make sure to keep your chisel sharp and have the variety of chisels we’ve discussed earlier.
- Use a two-handed grip for careful paring. One hand (depends on whether you’re right-handed or left-handed) guides the cutting edge, while the other provides the driving power.
- Wrap one hand around the handle, and use a mallet to drive a chisel when a greater cutting force is required.
- To make an ideal cut, flip the board over to orient the grain properly. Always cut with the grain.
- Face the bevel toward the waste area, and define the perimeter with vertical cuts. Do this when cutting a notch. Then, make slanted cuts from the stock face to the bottom of the perimeter incisions. It should form the notch walls.
- You can already begin removing waste with paring cuts. Just keep the bevel up, and hold the chisel flat. Trim until you reach the desired depth.
- Orient the chisel bevel up and use a swiveling motion for smooth cutting when paring thin slices from end-grain.
- Use a block that matches the rabbet lip as a guide to trim the depth of the rabbet.
- How to carve wood with a chisel to trim along a concave curve? Use a chisel that is wider than the thickness of the stock. Make sure to face the bevel downwards.
Good Chisels is a Must
If you are a woodworker or planning to be, the need to have good chisels is a must. All of the options that we have discussed here, including the things we learned about how to carve wood with a chisel, will surely help you and take your work to the next level. Learn more wood carving tips here!