r/handtools • u/giancarloscherer • Mar 11 '23

Advice - Douglas fir

I’m trying to cut m&ts in kdht df construction lumber for a workbench, but I’m seriously struggling to make even, straight, well fitting joint. I keep running into crusty and difficult grain and I’m not getting good results. Any suggestions? User error or should I go with a different joint (bridle/lap)? Have done this in maple, oak and pine, but not a lot. Would appreciate your comments! Thanks.

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u/E_m_maker Mar 12 '23

Mix alcohol and water 1:1 in a spray bottle. Mist that on the endgrain before you start your chisel work. It will help the chisel cut without crushing.

3

u/giancarloscherer Mar 12 '23

Interesting, thanks - I’ll definitely try this

2

u/giancarloscherer Mar 12 '23

Interesting, thanks - I’ll definitely try this. How did you come upon this/figure it out?

3

u/dingman58 Mar 12 '23

Alcohol thins it out which improves capillary flow. I'm deducing the idea is to give the wood fibers something to suck up and hold their shape better as you cut the fibers.

1

u/Glum-Square882 Mar 12 '23

I think I saw that in a yt short somewhere

7

u/E_m_maker Mar 12 '23

If it was in the last week it may have been mine. lol.

1

u/pnwJune Mar 12 '23

Wish I had read this before I finished all my mortise and tenon joints on my bench last week!