I'm having a problem when I chop out the waste for my dovetails. I'm currently working on 6 drawers for a vanity. The drawers are poplar with through DTs.

I've been using a coping saw to remove the bulk of the waste, leaving about 1/16". I strike the base line with a chisel on both sides and then begin to chop away the waste starting about 1/32nd (halfway) from the baseline.

I've tried using Ian Kirby's method of angling the chisel to remove less in the middle and just keep chipping away. I've also tried keeping the chisel at 90 degrees.

Either way I'm getting tear out (divots) in the middle of the piece. I'm using 3/8" or 1/2" freshly sharpened chisels.

Any suggestions????

Thanks, Mike