# Carpentry: What tool is used to cut notches in wood? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-what-tool-is-used-to-cut-notches-in-wood/240834 "2004-04-19T15:20:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-what-tool-is-used-to-cut-notches-in-wood/240834/21 "2004-04-19T18:16:08Z")
The last time I had to do something similar to this, I used a saw for the sides of the notch, and a big ol’ flat blade screwdriver and a hammer to chisel out the base. While there’s certainly something to be said for the right tool for the job, you really don’t need to get fancy here at all. But if you’d rather not do that, then I’d still say that a chisel would be a better choice than a saw for the bottom. If I’m picturing this project correctly, the sides of the notch would be across the grain, while the base would be with the grain, correct? Because saws and the like are not usually a good choice for going with the grain. I’ve found that unserrated blades work best there. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-what-tool-is-used-to-cut-notches-in-wood/240834/22 "2004-04-19T18:31:12Z")
Use a coping saw. You can turn the blade 90 degrees so the frame is at a right angle to the direction of cut. Use a drill to remove the wood from the notch, leaving you with just a sloppy end to trim square. The coping saw frame will easily fit inside the notch you’ve already cut, letting you cut from side to side. Then clean it up with sandpaper. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-what-tool-is-used-to-cut-notches-in-wood/240834/23 "2004-04-19T19:39:33Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > Common sense and carpenters in the same sentence? It is to laugh! 🙂 > > I was taught by a super persnickety German cabinetmaker who taught me that I should exercise the same level of workmanship on those parts of a project that will never be seen as on the visible parts. It makes things a bit slower but I know that every part of anything I make is well done, and I have had occasion to take apart older furniture and the same thing applied back in the day. > > But come to think of it, a good rough wood rasp might be all you need. You’re right, and I apologise for even suggesting that anyone would do something that crude! A far, far better alternative to the hack job I suggested would be a twice rounded dado. Carefully use a straight bit to rout out the end of the notch, then use a corner round bit on the other piece to precisely match the fillet left by the straight bit. Remember to set stops for the router cuts. 😉 All in good fun. For what it’s worth, I’m glad to have had the experience of being raised by the son of one of those persnickety Germans and to have helped him on a few jobs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpentry-what-tool-is-used-to-cut-notches-in-wood/240834.md?page=1)