Paul Sellers | Splitting and Paring Tenons

Paul Sellers demonstrates his somewhat unique method for cutting tenos. In this short video he shows how to split and pare tenons and where and when the different techniques should be used. For more information about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with visit paulsellers.com
To see a beginner friendly guide on how to make a mortise and tenon, see our sister site: commonwoodworking.com/courses...

[@realjackofall]

9 years after this was made, it is exactly what I need. I just couldn't understand how and why it would split. I just assumed I wasn't good enough. This gives me a good understanding. In summary - know how to read the grain.

[@timdoyon1964]

Every time I watch a Paul Sellers video, I get so inspired I have to go out to my shop and work some wood. Paul is one of the premier woodworkers of this generation. Awesome video once again Paul!

[@putradwie]

I love this tutorial, how the woods split and make the tenon more efficient. Thank you Mr. Sellers

[@Paul.Sellers]

Yeah, I enjoy doing these. Non pretentious, open for everyone, dead simple. I have cut at least 120,000 dovetails and mortise and tenons in my lifetime working wood by hand. Imagine that. You get pretty quick after a while. Only reason these took me so long is I was talking too much.

[@kiefferlmeridew]

Your method of instruction is absolutely fantastic. Thank you for your time and skill Paul.

[@luminousfractal420]

The talking is good

[@JeffMartinez648]

Literally the best explanation of controlling the chisel I’ve ever seen. It’s based on the wood grain, I’ve never had an instructor teach me that based on watching the wood concept.

[@benjaminallison4644]

That was one of the most satisfying things I think I've ever seen.

[@iansutherland4904]

Published 2012, could have been 1912. I am grateful that you have chosen to share your craft Paul. A pleasure to watch and listen to. Both my grandfathers (passed now) were wood workers with hand tools, A skill that should be passed on, not lost in time to convenience and cost. Thank you.

[@MK-lh3xd]

Beautiful technique. Published 11 years ago, still doing the rounds!

[@Paul.Sellers]

It is both faster and easier, but more than that, it's pleasing to a fault. I know no other method that brings me great enjoyment. Love it!

[@GizmoDuck_1860]

Level 2 Furniture student here who cannot cut nor pare tenons for toffee. I'm very excited to give this a try. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, Paul. You're the only woodworking channel I bother with. A term at my college is, "well, what does Paul Sellers do?"

[@builttolast7286]

Paul: I was watching this in a darkened room and my iPad was rather close to my face. During the Sapele paring section, I was so engaged that I actually blew at the screen to clear a small remaining shaving. I don’t think you could ask for more of a viewer’s attention. Excellent instruction; between your skills and your down-to-earth way of explaining each step of the process makes these tasks approachable for everyone. I am in the process of starting my own channel, which will be dedicated to applying craftsmanship and wood-on-wood joinery to everything we build, regardless of the technique (e.g., hand tools, machine or hybrid approach) and plan to follow your humble approach to information sharing. By the way, I just bought your hand tools book and DVD set; masterfully done: very approachable language and beautifully photographed.

[@davidtraugot1405]

Not just quick and easy, but elegant! A lesson in reading the grain and paying attention. I use a mix of hand/power tools, but hand tools are more pleasing.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Well done all of you who took the bull by the horns and wrestled this one down. It really works and the investment of time trying things out is often worth it.

[@kharnethebetrayer4125]

I have been sawing my tennons, and then paring to refine. It takes ages. This looks so much simpler, so much quicker, and so much neater. I am now going to go away and learn this today.

[@danielschilling2011]

This is by far my favorite video. Great instruction, good camera angles, and good sound. Over all the best wood working channel I've come across as of yet. Now I just need to finish gathering tools and prep them. Then I can finally start my own projects. Thank you Mr. Sellers and production crew.

[@lewisconboy1765]

I used this during my college woodworking class and my tutor told me that if he saw me using this technique again he would shove the chisel up my arse...it worked brilliantly though, so thank you for the demonstration with such detail that i understand almost instantly. i will use it in my own time aha

[@lewis5738]

same but he didnt tell me that bit just didnt like me doin it probs because he knows its good and he diudnt know about it

[@luminousfractal420]

​@@lewis5738 that's why my craft teacher made my life hell, hated that I could do the things and he actually had to do teaching. He banned my cambox because it had a soldier as part of the scene. And when asked to invent something to help the elderly, I came up with a stick with a dimple on the end strapped to a wall and able to slide up and down an inch. Problem: my Nan had issues bending down to turn off the sockets. Solution: raise the switch mechanism up to an easy level. I got told that was useless and he failed me for not doing the work😂 Turns out he was a friend of my father's dodgy foreman, the guy who wanted his hands on my father's business. Started to knock me down early. Thank God we have teachers like this guy in the world. He's awesome.

[@briarfox637]

This became my favorite method of making tenons after learning it from you Mr. Sellers. Thank you for your work and instruction. Good video.

[@imillsie426]

OMG! Just discovered this video and tried the method. More accurate tenons in a fraction of the time . Thank you!

[@NMranchhand]

I have been stumbling around trying to establish a direction in learning woodwork in my Air Force retirement and now I have. Your comments about the acquisition of true skill as the way to derive joy from woodworking hit me between the eyes. All your videos are a safari to me. Thanks awfully. I sure would like to see you conjure the genie of the wood in person one day after I have gained the fundamentals.

[@Paul.Sellers]

It takes a paradigm shift to think in these realms but that's really possible and all the more when we start to examine what we buy from Walmart and other such wasters in these days of austerity. Good can come out of depressed conditions and I am not so certain we won't see that in this era.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Yeah, again. Don't you just wish we could get off the conveyor belt and make tenons by hand. Most of my life I have done them this way. Can't imagine the boredom of using machines all day everyday. Love your woodworking and reclaim what's yours.

[@luciolibanori]

Wonderful class. It's always a joy to see Paul Sellers working.

[@1truefreedomfighter]

Splitting has never made sense to me, until this video. Thank you Paul.

[@danmottesheard5294]

hey Paul. I am a 63 yr old retired machinist that is now in love with woodworking and I can not tell you how much your videos have helped me. I am working on my granddaughter's desk now and able to apply so much of what I have learned from your videos. lots of mortise and tenons and a great pair of Stanley Sweetheart chisels and I'm on my way. thanks for taking the time to doing what you're doing to help people like me.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Thank you for the compliments. This video was produced in conjunction with some upcoming premium online broadcast videos. Stay tuned and we will post more info on KZbin soon.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Glad to hear from you. We are all learning as we work through this together. Thanks for your encouragement.

[@ShannonRogers]

Great job Paul, I'm glad to see you shedding some light on this technique. I do it for all my tenons now.

[@flyman683]

Just did my first ever tenons today using this technique (following your workbench series). Found it cleaner and faster than my unsteady sawing skills. Thank you!

[@joergwiesmann4261]

.....soooo interesting and priseice like a Swiss watch !!! big compliment!!! kind regards from Switzerland and thank YOU !!!!

[@Paul.Sellers]

The important thing is to keep your marking gauge lines all the way to the end. it takes practice but you can do it.

[@IanSlatas]

I just found your videos today and I'm hooked. You offer excellent advice. Thank you.

[@nanaandbump.]

Its so cool to see all of your decades of experience. You remind me of my mentor in my trade. I think there are few things cooler than someone spending a lifetime perfecting their trade. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, you are a true artist!

[@sirjohnbhoy]

Paul...if you dont mind me callin you by your sunday name,im glued to your vids,absolutly great and informative,even got the chisels out of Aldis..great stuff

[@Paul.Sellers]

Sharpness is everything and I would spend some time on that too. Have you seen my other video on sharpening chisels? Best regards, Paul

[@wanmohdilyasismail2784]

2021 my buddy..still follow this paul seller..ur lagend

[@hpeairs]

This is great. I am currently building a Sellers workbench out of "select" construction grade two-by-fours and, when using the chisel method, am finding that the grain often splits with deep furrows because the growth rings are so huge. I don't own a suitable handsaw so I ordered a tenon saw. But I am looking forward to using this technique when I start using more suitable wood for woodworking projects. Thanks for all the great videos, Paul.

[@richardstardust2355]

As always, a joy to see you doing some perfect work by hand(s). Thanks Paul

[@Sawsquatch]

What a joy it is to watch you work, sir! Your skills are buttery-smooth, and your delivery is silken, and clear. Thank you!

[@gamingSlasher]

Its a joy seeing you work the wood and you really seem to nail all the important things beginners need to hear. Your an excellent teacher and a great human for passing on your skills and experience.

[@leroy5007]

You are a wonderful teacher

[@barryjordan8406]

Excellent video. Just got my first antique Stanley 750 1/2" chisel, and yes, I'm new to using chisels for fine wood working, but this video gives me a great direction to shoot for. Thanks Paul. I'm finally subscribing.

[@MrLambertinho]

thanks for the vid. It's nice to see someone who shows how to do woodwork without a scary array of daunting expensive machinery, which can make you wonder whether woodworking as a hobby is going to completely empty the bank.

[@Yes-Man]

Thanks very much. This video probably spares many people from even more mistakes :D

[@tombeyer6408]

Thank you for all your demonstration videos. I have learned a lot from you and in fact you have made it so I understand how the wood works in conjunction with my tools and how I should use them. I do really appreciate all you are doing.

[@5lowethechamp964]

What a great demonstration. Thank you paul

[@edman2740]

Sr I'd love to be an apprentice of yours ... its mesmerising the way you explain just about everything !

[@haroldschultz5864]

That technique is brilliant , I'm anxious to try this . Can you imagine the time and wear and tear on the elbow by not having to use the saw ? Thank you for the tutorial Paul . God bless .

[@chrisgoudzwaard97]

This is very usefull, I'm in my second year of woodworking and this method has worked for me very well.

[@Paul.Sellers]

About to post a blog on this issue so we will see what we can contribute to enhance our endeavour.

[@VarunVargheseMuriyanat]

This man is a legend

[@kurtpedersen8276]

awesome video - I am planning on getting a set of chisle's and have been watching how to sharpen video's including Paul's. I really like his down to earth style.

[@Paul.Sellers]

That's great and that's what this is all about. Well done!

[@john73738]

Thank You for these videos. I am learning a great deal from you. Found a great use for some of my scrap 2x4.

[@f.demascio1857]

I mis-read this a "pairing." Great methods & explanation.

[@shawneekinkel]

I learned a lot! thank you for sharing your beautiful trade.

[@ViktorStorniHauer]

Thank you very much for all youre videos Master!!!

[@RGRGJKK]

Pura vida Paul great and beautiful woodworking technique

[@bradleyberthold4606]

Awesome skills with a chisel, I need to practice that more. And maybe sharpen my chisels even sharper

[@IAmPraki]

Yeah, I see it now. When the grain is running parallel, all it takes is a couple of whacks and a bit of paring. Sawing could never be so quick. I will give this technique a try. Thanks Paul.

[@pappamcgoo]

Hi Paul. Thanks to your teachings tonight i cut my first mortise. Once i got the technique right it was fairly easy but it could have been easier if i could get my chisel sharper. I'll work more on that tomorrow. Thanks again.

[@stephenpduncan]

Another great video. Thanks Paul.

[@bati800]

just great. simple and effective

[@MrJono1999]

This method of cutting tenons looks so satisfying. I think I shy away normally because it feels difficult to get a good quality square edge. I am definitely going to give this a go now. Superb video Paul. @Rag'n'BoneBrown you might find this interesting too.

[@deemdoubleu]

Fantastic stuff Paul.

[@summerswoodworking]

Awesomely done mate!

[@kingyfpv4787]

You make it look so easy

[@jonathanvisser3516]

Wow you let it look so easy man. practice make perfect right??. I am going to use this at the shop, and I know my chisels have to be crazy sharp. I am so happy with the machinery in the shop.

[@lincolndickerson1293]

So full of premium content

[@richard2mitchell]

I don't know why but i had fun watching this.

[@Paul.Sellers]

Perhaps I should have made this clearer. When I am not talking or demonstrating this technique is very quick. Much quicker than sawing. However, it is not always possible to split because of difficult grain. In those circumstances it is best to saw.

[@bobomonkey702]

That was perfect. Thanks Paul.

[@charlesschuster7963]

It all works so well ... if your chisels are as sharp as his are. I see your nod to sharp chisels and your chisel sharpening video in comments below. If the saw cuts were made with a table saw, why not cut the tenon by continuing to use that table saw? No problems with grain, quicker, no chance of cutting too deeply...? Thanks for the demonstration.

[@ronaldwprovo6111]

Like your information have all my Dad sew and chisel.

[@luminousfractal420]

Wood whisperer 👍 All my problems seem to be due to rushing cuts and not conversing with the grain like that. (my father was a master carpenter but didn't pass on much info 😂)

[@ikust007]

So beautyfull... Such an artist. Love it. Tx

[@imKenyo]

thanks for sharing it , very useful thanks

[@benvolio1987]

great video as always

[@DaveBardin]

A wonderful lesson.

[@twasblind316]

I wonder who clicked dislike? LOL This is a great instructional video.

[@erikbahen8693]

they were trying to click thumbs up but missed

[@BillyBoy7380]

Hay Eric, if you happen to know that guy, tell him he can change it.

[@JonJon-gu7xy]

Great Video. Much thanks.

[@CortVermin]

i used this trick on my dovetail template. now i can start a nice fire with a lil piece of oak :) i guess noone fell out of heaven with mastercraftsman abilitys. except for mr. sellers ;)

[@Kikilang60]

Thanks. Nice sharp chisels.

[@balbino108]

Very Good! Thank You!

[@smfield]

I use a curf knife to mark the shoulders and cheeks and have found that it can force the split away from the grain.

[@tolkomig]

Great video, Paul! Two things that are not reflected in the video: 1) when you make your test cuts you put the chisel not in parallel to the gauging line, right? 2) do you intentionally select not the widest chisels for such relatively broad tenons?

[@Paul.Sellers]

Yes, there is. I am using a 1" wide chisel. Wider chisels are less common and take much more effort to sharpen the wider they go. I use a 1" chisel for most of this type of work. It's the right weight to strength ratio and it is most likely that none of those watching the video will own a wider chisel. I want people to be able to put into practice what they see without going out to buy. I don't think that many craftsmen used chisels much wider than 1" for general work. Thanks for the question.

[@jamartin1]

Nice! Thank you!💜

[@johnfitzgerald4274]

Thank you.

[@d.i.d]

Great video... as always ;)

[@stochasmvid]

Lovely!

[@abidmalick6232]

Brilliant

[@mrq7502]

Hey Paul! I love your videos, they have inspired me to take up more traditional woodworking. I did my first practice hand chop mortise and hand paired tenon using oak but as i was pairing from the side, i got splitting? Could this be from not reading the wood grain correctly or from not having my chisels sharp enough? That being said, would you say its better to saw the tenons vs splitting and paring? Also id be real interested to see you do some work on other woods to see how they differ in hardness, like working on Maple, Hickory, Walnut, etc. Thanks again for all you do!

[@Paul.Sellers]

I think it’s a question of trying both but if in doubt saw. There is not doubt, once you mastered the splitting technique it is very fast. But you do have to develop the technique and this only comes by practice.

[@Ebigted]

hi Paul great video what weight is your nylon hammer

[@atsipan]

beautiful

[@d1want34]

now i need to buy a vise!

[@peterpindel8299]

Now that i watched you're video i can do it probably.

[@221Dw]

Nice video

[@derf9465]

I'll stop sawing and try this next week when I build a bed.

[@learnerlearns]

Truly a splendid lesson SIr! Great close-ups and good examples of "reading the grain." It took me a long time to comprehend this method when my father taught me so long ago, but he was not as patient a teacher as you. Question: Is this an excerpt from your DVD teaching series? It certainly is well-produced with good lighting and camera work. If it is part of your DVD series, I believe I will get a copy.

[@michaelchurchill1889]

Great work Sir, what kind of vice hardware?

[@Dustin396]

Cool show man. Like from me!