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27 October 2018 at 3:01 am #552849
I’m betting you have the same problem that I had for a long time (still do sometimes if it’s been a while and I’m not paying attention).
When you strike with the mallet you have an instinct to tense the arm/hand holding the chisel. This naturally results in it being pulled slightly towards the body. As a result you can do all of the checking and rechecking you want prior to striking with the mallet and you’ll still end up askew.
The solution to this is one part knowing what the problem is, and nine parts practice. Eventually you can train that reflex out of yourself.
If the mortise leans towards you — this is almost certainly your problem. By leans toward you I mean that a straight edge put against the wall of the mortise will be canted with the top closer to you.
It took me a little while to figure this out for myself, as most woodworkers that write or speak on the subject have long ago lost and forgotten that this reflex even exists — but I’ve seen it in several other new woodworkers and it’s always the same symptom. Knowing about it and actively attempting to prevent the reflex will over time correct the problem.
25 October 2018 at 4:00 pm #552829I have a 4.5 with a 40 degree bed and a 4 with a 50 degree bed.
They aren’t really an either or thing. They serve different purposes (in so far as you could do all planing with a 4)
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