All About Woodturning Chisels

Woodturning chisels are essential tools for woodworkers, carpenters, and craftsmen. They come in various types, each designed for specific tasks.

All Steel Chisels

Rugged tools designed for heavy jobs such as roofing and large framing joints.

Advantages:

  • Extremely durable
  • Suitable for heavy-duty tasks

Disadvantages:

  • Too heavy for delicate work
  • Harder to control for precision tasks

Bevel Edge Chisels

Excellent for working into corners, such as cleaning dovetails.

Advantages:

  • Great clearance in tight spaces
  • Versatile for fine woodworking

Disadvantages:

  • Not ideal for heavy-duty work
  • Needs frequent sharpening

Butt Chisels

Short and easy to control, perfect for fine trimming and final fitting.

Advantages:

  • Excellent control
  • Ideal for detailed work

Disadvantages:

  • Limited reach
  • Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks

Carpenter's Gouges

Designed for making hollows, trenches, and concave shapes.

Advantages:

  • Perfect for shaping and carving
  • Versatile for curved cuts

Disadvantages:

  • Requires skill
  • Needs regular sharpening

Carving Tools

A wide selection of knives, gouges, and chisels for creative work.

Advantages:

  • Great for artistic detail
  • Wide variety of shapes and sizes

Disadvantages:

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Maintenance-intensive

Chisel Sets

Tool packages including the most commonly used sizes.

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective
  • Convenient variety

Disadvantages:

  • May include rarely used sizes
  • Quality can vary

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Corner Chisels

Helps square corners easily and precisely, especially useful for mortices.

Advantages:

  • Precise corner work
  • Ideal for mortice clean-up

Disadvantages:

  • Niche use
  • Requires practice

Japanese Chisels

Well-balanced for both fine and heavy work, commonly used in Japan.

Advantages:

  • High-quality craftsmanship
  • Versatile performance

Disadvantages:

  • Expensive
  • Requires skill to master

Mortice Chisels

Built for chopping out mortices and cutting joints.

Advantages:

  • Strong and durable
  • Ideal for deep cuts

Disadvantages:

  • Less precise
  • Needs frequent sharpening

Paring Chisels

Long and thin, offering precise control for fine work.

Advantages:

  • Excellent for delicate tasks
  • High precision

Disadvantages:

  • Not for heavy-duty use
  • Fragile edge

Woodturning Tools

A wide selection for shaping and detailing on a lathe.

Advantages:

  • Great for intricate designs
  • Essential for woodturners

Disadvantages:

  • Requires experience
  • Regular maintenance needed

Cold Chisels

Used to cut and shape hard materials like metal.

Advantages:

  • Cuts hard materials cleanly
  • Very durable

Disadvantages:

  • Not for wood
  • Needs careful handling

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned craftsman, having the right chisel for the job makes all the difference. Explore Axminster Tools’ range of woodturning chisels to find the perfect fit for your next project.

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Get in touch!

If you’ve used a certain type of woodturning chisels for one of your projects, or have bought one of our chisels, we'd love to hear from you. Comment below or send us a photograph and tell us all about what you've been up to, or what you've bought.

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