HAND WOOD-WORKING TOOLS 423 



the grasp cramped, and control of the saw more difficult. 

 The cut should be started by making a few short and light 

 drawing strokes, so as to get the saw on the line. It should 

 then be moved steadily with long strokes and with the blade 

 at an angle of 90 to the work. 



487. Cutting Action of the Chisel. A chisel is a cutting 

 tool which cuts out pieces of stock in the form of shavings. 



FIG. 201. Cutting Action of the Chisel. . 



The mechanical principle upon which it operates is that of 

 the wedge (Fig. 201). The cutting edge is broad and sharp 

 and the cut acts by a separating process, called " slitting," 

 which is similar to the paring of a potato. The cutting edge 

 separates the fibers of the wood lengthwise with the grain by 

 raising the shaving or chip and tearing the wood fiber on the 

 side. The thickness of the shaving of the wood is deter- 

 mined by the angle at which the chisel is held, the amount 

 of bevel on the cutting edge, the force of the pressure exerted, 



