Carpenters use many different types of chisels as cutting tools. Each type of chisel has a particular and variety of uses. They use these tools to boring, grooving, joint cutting etc. A chisel has three basic parts like handle, blade and tank or socket. Primarily the blade is used for cutting and the handle is used for hold the blade. On the other hand, the handle is attached with blade using a tang or socket. Normally handles are made of ash, beech, box wood, plastic, or metals. In working time, when the carpenters have to apply force on chisel, they used mallet not a hammer. The different types of carpenters cutting tools i.e. woodworking chisels are shown below.
- Firmer Chisel
- Bevel edge chisel
- Mortise chisel
- Gouge chisel
- Curving chisel
- Pairing chisel
Firmer chisels
The firmer chisel is one of the most significant chisels in woodworking project. It comes with rectangular type blade. They are thick and stronger. The carpenters use this chisel for heavier works. They can able to deep and large joints with a little force. Both the tang handle and socket handle firmer chisels are available in the market.
Bevel Edge Chisels
Normally the bevel edge chisels are used for finishing dovetail joints. They are beveled on the sides, so they are able to access to dovetails very easily. The bevel is flat ground at 30° whereas the backs are flat. They are versatile, elegant and strong.
Mortise chisel
Mortise Chisel is more narrow than firmer chisel. It is also strong and used for heavy chopping and removing the waste wood. Normally the handle is made of ash or beech with a steel band at the top whereas the blade is made of steel. The steel band prevents the handle from splitting.
Gouge Chisel
The gouge chisel has a curved blade. It comes in different styles, sizes, shapes and thickness. Therefore we are able to give a desired shape of a woodworking project. Normally the blade is made of chrome vanadium steel whereas the handle is made of natural ash, wood. Both the tank and socket handle gouges are available. These chisels are used for carve grooves and trenches into the wood. These gouges can also be classified as different name such as spoon gouge, back bent gouge etc. You will able to make a nearly right-angle cut with them. Some of the common sizes gouges are 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, and 7/8″.
Paring Chisel
Paring chisel is a thinner chisel and has a long blade which is suitable for accessing into long joints such as housing joints and tight spaces. It is used for cleaning grooves and joints to make a finest work. As these chisels are very thin, so there is no allowed for any forces without hand pressure.
You should always consider your safety, when using chisels. You should select a sharp one not a blunt chisel. If you use a blunt chisel then it tends to slip on the wood surface and can cause a serious accident. Moreover you should not keep yourself in front of the cutting edge; always keep you behind the cutting edge.