Good morning guys!
Im making a large storage box and decided to use what I think are called "box joints" - wide, interlocking joints like dovetails, only square. Ive been making practice joints on scrap to get the feel of it. Its going together pretty well, but Id like to improve the fit - I dont think Im using my chisels correctly. Basically, I saw the sides, remove most of the waste with a coping saw, and then use a chisel to cut along the line made by my marking gauge.
Heres where I need to improve: the chisel seems compress the wood at the line, making the joint slightly deeper than intended. That impacts the fit of the joint. I place the bevel of the chisel facing the waste side of the line. Then hit it with a mallet until it cuts about 1/8" deep. If I hold it vertically, I get the compression. If I angle it so that chisel's edge is cutting OUTWARD into the waste (overcutting?) it does pretty much the same thing. If I angle it so that the chisel is cutting slightly INTO the joint (undercutting?), its a bit better but then I get a V-shaped groove that Im concerned may not glue up well.
Can someone please describe how I should be handling this chisel?
Thanks very much.
Fred