As usual, I've scoured the internet to learn what I could about mortising by hand. Of all that I found I found these videos the most helpful. Both are of Frank Klausz, a master cabinetmaker originally from Hungary. He really seems to be a great teacher so I must plan on obtaining some of his videos.
This one is from FineWoodworking.com. It even shows how he allows for a haunched tenon...
http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=26994
This one is from a Woodworking in America demonstration and is just cool. You can see everything that happens under the surface when you chop a mortise. You can even hear Roy Underhill talking in the background! The fact the Mr. Klausz completes the mortise without breaking the glass makes this not only a woodworking demo but a pretty good magic trick.
I did read a post from Tom Fidgen about mortising just recently. He's working on a sharpening station for his workshop.
Well, here's how I did...
First, I set my mortising gauge to the width of my chisel.
After centering the gauge on the back of the drawer divider I marked the areas for the mortises including their lengths. I'm sure there are many ways to clamp a piece like this but this is how I did it...
Using a hand screw with a holdfast was very adequate and I was able to clamp pieces into position very quickly.
The chisel is positioned between the lines and held square to the sides of the piece. This is easier to do when you position yourself like I am here. I followed the same chopping sequence performed by Frank Klausz in the video and took care to make a shallow initial pass first to define the mortise. Be sure to leave the ends alone until you're almost done. After that I whacked the heck out of it until I reached my depth of 3/4" to 1". I finished by defining the ends of the mortise, making sure they were square to the edge.
Making one mortise took about 3 to 5 minutes. This is just a bit longer than it would have taken using my mortiser. Not too bad. My experience with this is consistent with my other findings. With sharp tools and the right techniques working by hand is much easier and faster than you think. It's definitely warmer.
-RM
7 comments:
Nice post on one of my favorite activities. I remember being surprised just how quickly I could complete a mortise by hand. I have the same marking gauge as you and I always struggle to get is set just right. Lately I have been following Fidgen's advice and just marking the near side wall and letting the chisel define the other side. I was nervous about tear out at first but surprising it wasn't a problem.
That's probably a good idea. I need to try that since I forgot. I'm not too fond of that marking gauge either. I'm thinking that one can't have too many marking gauges. That way you can "set it and forget it!". Know of any good plans out there to make your own?
Even with the captcha you still got spammed!!
I still hog out most of the mortise with a drill then finish with a chisel. That being said, I am anxious to try out my L-N mortise chisels on a bed frame.
I thought it was interesting to find a woodworker going by the name, "Brunette Escort London". If it sounds too good to be true...
Nice work. I would recommend, though, the use of a wooden mallet instead of the one you used. There's an example of how to make one here (Lee Valley: http://www.leevalley.com/shopping/TechInfo.aspx?c=2&type=a&p=43969) or I remember Phil Lowe had an article in Fine Woodworking not too long ago on making one (solid wood head).
Lately, I've been using my drill press to get out the bulk of the wood and then following up with my chisel. I might just use a chisel if I was using my 1/4" chisel like you were though!
I know! Thanks for the link. I've seen that before. It's so easy I don't have a good excuse for not making one already. I did make a small one for my son's toy and it turned out really nice. I turned one on the lathe but it's just for bench chisels and not big enough for mortising. The rubber mallet is just the best thing I have at the moment.
I tell you what, gimme a few weeks and I'll make one!
Merry Christmas!!!
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