How To Use A Chisel

When you need to make a precise groove in a piece of wood, like sinking a hinge in a door, a chisel is the proper tool. Wood chisels come in a variety of sizes, but the ¾-inch size is the standard size for most projects. Because a chisel is very sharp, keep the tip covered when not in use and out of the reach of children.

Step 1 - Prepare to Chisel

Use a ruler and carpenter’s square to carefully measure and mark both the area of the surface and also the depth you want to remove. Next, clamp the wood down to your work surface to keep it from moving while you work.

Step 2 - Outline the Area

For a shallow groove, hold the chisel at a 90-degree angle to the wood and use the wooden mallet to tap the end of the chisel to the desired depth. Repeat this step all the way around the surface line you marked in step one.

Step 3 - Chisel the Groove

Hold the chisel with the beveled side toward the wood. Run the chisel in the direction of the wood grain but away from your body. Repeat this step until you have removed all the wood inside the outlined surface area to the desired depth.

Step 4 - Refine the Groove

Depending on your project requirements, you may need to refine the groove. If you are working right to the edge of the wood on at least one side, hold the chisel so the flat side is flush with the wood. Run the chisel along the area to smooth the surface and finish with sandpaper, if desired.