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55 Woodworking Cuts & Joints for Beginners: Build Your Skills Step by Step

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  55 Woodworking Cuts & Joints for Beginners: Build Your Skills Step by Step Learning woodworking can feel overwhelming when you’re just starting out. There are different tools to understand, techniques to practise, measurements to get right, and countless cuts and joints to learn. That’s why BlueWood Handyman has created the 55 Woodworking Cuts & Joints for Beginners series — a step-by-step collection designed to help beginners build their woodworking skills from the ground up. Whether you’re interested in DIY, carpentry, joinery, or simply want to become more confident working with timber, this series gives you a practical place to start. Start with the Fundamentals Good woodworking starts with the basics. Before taking on complicated projects, it’s important to understand how to make accurate cuts, control your tools, prepare timber, and create reliable joints. The 55-video series breaks these skills into individual lessons, making it easier to focus on one technique a...

How to Cut a Chamfer with a Chisel | Step 1 of 55 - Woodworking for Beginners

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How to Cut a Chamfer with a Chisel | Step 1 of 55

Part of the 55 Cuts & Joints for Beginners series.

In this first lesson, we’re starting with one of the most important foundational cuts in woodworking — the chamfer.

This is a simple but powerful exercise to build control, accuracy, and confidence using a chisel.

🎯 Aim of the Lesson

To learn how to mark out and cut a clean chamfer using a chisel safely and accurately.

📚 What You’ll Learn

  • What a chamfer is and where it’s used
  • How to mark out using a combination square
  • Correct chisel grip and body positioning
  • How to control the cut safely
  • How to achieve a consistent 45° chamfer

🧰 Tools & Resources

🔧 Tools, PPE, and materials used in this lesson:

  • Chisel (sharp)
  • Combination Square
  • Timber (practice piece)
  • Pencil or marking pen

👉 View Full Tool & Resource List

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📏 Step-by-Step Process

  1. Set your measurement
    Set your combination square to 8mm.
  2. Mark your lines
    Draw a parallel line along the edge and down the face of the timber.
  3. Mark the waste area
    Clearly mark the section to be removed.
  4. Grip the chisel correctly
    Hold near the blade (not the handle) for better control.
  5. Position your body
    Keep your elbow anchored on the bench for stability.
  6. Start cutting gradually
    Take small controlled cuts — don’t rush.
  7. Maintain the angle
    Aim for a consistent 45° chamfer along the length.
  8. Work with control
    Use steady pressure and controlled movement.
  9. Adjust for difficult areas
    Slow down around knots or harder sections of timber.
  10. Refine the finish
    Keep working until you achieve a clean, even chamfer.

🧠 Key Learning Points

  • Sharp tools make the job easier and safer
  • Control comes from body position, not force
  • Take your time — this is practice
  • Good fundamentals now will save problems later

❓ Quick Quiz

Test your understanding:

  • What angle is typically used for a chamfer?
  • What tool is used to mark out the chamfer?
  • Why should you take small cuts instead of large ones?
  • Where should your hands be positioned for safety?

👉 (Optional: Add your Google Form Quiz here)

📺 Watch the Full Video


Next Lesson: Continue with Step 2 in the 55 Cuts & Joints series.

Location: London, UK