84 Chapter 4 Hand Tools
for the electric drill. The Surform® tool allows
rapid removal of waste material as well as fi nish
smoothing, depending on the technique used by
the operator. To remove waste rapidly, hold the
tool at 45° in the direction of the stroke. When
removing less material, simply reduce the angle.
Reversing the angle slightly makes it possible to
achieve a polished appearance.
Chisels
Two principal types of chisels are used for
woodworking. The socket chisel is made for
heavy work. Its handle is tapered to fi t into a
cone-shaped recess at the end of the chisel blade.
A socket chisel is usually driven with a mallet.
A tang chisel is used for lighter work. The back
end of the blade is tapered to a point, or tang,
that fi ts into the handle. The width of a chisel’s
cutting edge ranges from 1/8″ to 2″. Chisels are
ground and honed to a sharp 25° to 30° beveled
edge for general-purpose work. See Figure 4-52.
Chisels can be used to trim and shape stock,
as well as make wood joints. Make sure that the
stock is secured in a vise. Determine the direc-
tion of the grain. Most cuts will be made with
the grain of the stock. When making very fi ne
cuts, hand pressure is usually enough. A mal-
let should be used for heavier cuts. Do not use
a hammer because the steel face of the hammer
can damage the chisel handle. Turn the bevel
edge of the chisel up to make convex and par-
ing cuts and to start dado and rabbet joints. Turn
the bevel down for better control of the cut when
making concave cuts or when making fi nishing
cuts in wood joints.
Gouges
Gouges are chisels with curved blades.
Gouges are generally used to shape the inside of
bowls, dishes, or trays. See Figure 4-53.
Lay out the shape to be cut on the stock.
Clamp the stock in a vise. Start cutting at the out-
side edge of the shape and work toward the cen-
ter. Use fi rm, even pressure to guide the gouge.
Guide the gouge with one hand and push it with
the other hand. Make sure that both hands are clear
of the cutting edge of the gouge. Roll the gouge as
you cut across the grain.
Spokeshaves
A spokeshave is used for smoothing free-
form shapes, such as boomerangs and archery
bows. Its original purpose was to smooth spokes
for wagon wheels and stocks for guns. The
spokeshave has two handles and an adjustable
blade that cuts like a plane iron. The blade is also
sharpened like a plane iron.
Figure 4-52. A woodshop should be equipped with a
variety of chisels.
Figure 4-53. Gouges are made in a variety of
shapes.
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