Would you buy a mortise chisel to square off router-cut mortises?

Apr 29, 2015 27 Replies

Try them all - try a scroll saw. I would be very interested in seeing pictures of your first attempts, no matter which method you use.

To me, the trick is to use a high quality tool and not let it get dull past the point where it takes more than a Hard Arkansas Stone to put the edge back on it. An even better trick is to not have to use them very often

Can a novice keep one sharp? Sure, don't use it. Can a novice put the edge back on a dull one? Possibly/probably/maybe - try and see. Can a novice even use one effectively? Again, you won't know until you try.

Jerry O.

I could be wrong but I don't believe anyone has mentioned a trained rodent. Mouse, rat, squirrel...depends upon the size of the mortice. The downside is that the critter has to be trained to gnaw on command. Upside is that the critter WANTS to gnaw to keep its tooth growth in line.

i remember that quote by John Brown something like this:

"Yes read all the expert's advice, just don't let it get in the way of your woodworking."

Greg Guarino wrote in news:mi01g7$8o4$1@dont- email.me:

Yeah, that's my favorite part of the wreck too.

I'm tempted to see what suggestions I get for a pair of cabinet doors I mis-measured, and made 1/8" too narrow (so I have a 1/4" gap in the middle, which is a tad too much). What I will probably do is just glue a thin strip on the hinge side of each door. But I'm tempted to get fancy, trim the doors on all four sides, and add a 1/4" c*ck-bead all round.

John

Here is a video showing just how easy through mortises can be cut using a regular chisel.

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Jerry O.

I did a little experimentation with regular bevel-edge chisels. They work OK, actually. With a little practice I think I could make neat edges. But I decided to buy a corner chisel and see if that seems more efficient. It's a Narex, a brand that seems to get good reviews, despite being reasonably priced. We'll see how it works. It should arrive today.

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