What Is The Difference Between A Timber Frame Chisel Vs. Slick?

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" What is the difference between a timber frame chisel and a timber frame slick?" - This is one of the most common questions we get from our students who are just starting out in timber framing. They look a bit similar, and both have sharp ends, but are used for very different tasks when creating mortice and tenon joints in timber framing.
In this video, Gaius explains the differences between the two, and gives a short demo.
Happy timber framing!

[@ShelterInstitute]

Take your first (FREE!) step into timber framing with our Online Mini Course - onlinecourses.shelterinstitute.com/courses/free?

[@nisamja7424]

Never before read or heard information. Thank you for making the time to teach us something new and exteremely useful.

[@LitoGeorge]

Such a nice presentation and presenter. Kind eyes, wonderful tone and well narrated with great information. Learned a few things, which I find enriching. Thank you.

[@crimsonacreshomestead4553]

Love watching you videos. Getting ready to start building my timber frame in the spring.

[@dhroen]

Thanks for the clear lesson.

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you for watching!

[@scottrivers6472]

Very helpful, thank you Gaius

[@4namolly]

This answered my questions and then some! Very clear thank you

[@suzannesimpson1672]

Love these videos!

[@ozarkscarguy540]

When I bought my Robert Sorby 2" chisel 5 years ago it was at a price I couldn't pass up. It turned out to be an awesome chisel. I have no complaints about it. However, I definitely prefer a socket style.

[@vincentjames1995]

I love this! Well done video. Thank you 😊

[@ShelterInstitute]

Thank you for watching!

[@davem4423]

Fantastic explanation, im in the united kingdom & we dont see the 'slick' very often & i wondered about the difference , also knowing about japanese laminated chisels too , many thanks & a big hello from the u.k .

[@DominickCascianoIII]

thank you Gaius!

[@Tanicly69]

Very informative!

[@ShelterInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SteveMoitozo2]

Well done!

[@alanrutherford93]

I have a heavy, old 2" wide chisel that might actually be a slick. The handle end is angled upward so that it clears the work surface, like you are describing at 8:30. But it has a stubby handle with a ring. I wonder if someone replaced the handle to turn it into a framing chisel. Any other distinguishing characteristics to determine if it's really a slick?

[@johnjude2685]

Which is better for building chisels 01 high carbon steel or 1095 high carbon steel? Thanks for the teaching Sir

[@jeffdeluca1153]

What is s good brand slick and chisel? For a newbie that likes high quality Thx

[@juantransportador]

HELLO from las Vegas Nevada, thank you for the video, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[@dormindont1]

полезное видео , красивый инструмент!

[@leighrawnsley2266]

hi, very nice video. i see that you say get a 11/2" chisel but you don't say what size slick to buy unless i missed that part. i see that sorby have 2 3/8 or 3 3/8 available. Which one of these 2 would you advise to buy to be most useful as i'm just going to try to build my first timber frame?

[@ShelterInstitute]

Our favorite slick size is 1 7/8" because it allows use in a 2" mortice. We actually ask Sorby to dress their smaller slick down to 1 7/8". We also carry the Japanese boatbuilders slick in 48 millimeters.

[@leighrawnsley2266]

@@ShelterInstitute Thanks so much for the reply. That explains why i couldnt find a 1 7/8ths sorby slick in the UK. If i'd have been in the Americas, i'd have definitely been buying tools from you but the uk government arent good to their citizens who import tools as they have an importy duty on the item and then they also have another 20% tax on top of the import duty and they even add these taxes to what shipping costs were paid too. I still really want to fly over and do your course but i simply dont have the funds as we're taxed to death in my country. However, if i do happen to come into a lump sum of cash, i'll be flying over to do your course and then seeing what i can do to not return here.

[@bwcafan]

Do you have a recommendation on the specific specs/size of the various slicks?

[@ShelterInstitute]

Our favorite sizes(what we find ourselves using most often) 2" chisels and 1-7/8" framing slicks.

[@tvrtkozelic7153]

@Shelter Institute hi, I'm a bit confused now. You say in the video that a 2" chisel will widen the 2" mortice and in another comment here you say that for that reason you got custom made 1 7/8" Sorby slicks. Why don't you do the same with chisels? You say here 2" chisel is your favourite size, why not 1 7/8"? Also in the video you say 1.5" is more versatile and you go for it most often?

[@steveo848484]

Should I get a beveled 1.5” chisel or not beveled?

[@ShelterInstitute]

We find the beveled edge chisels to be much more maneuverable inside the mortice, and easier to see around as you work.

[@jeffcollins9850]

Great teaching video! Thank you. I have been wondering about the differences between the two for a while. Made my skin cringe when I saw the black electrical tape on your little finger. Hope it wasn't to deep of a cut.

[@ShelterInstitute]

Good eyes! He is a expected to live…..

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Guess i should have watched the entire video before asking.