In order to chisel a cylindrical-end or pivot-end for a shaft, rod, or spindle, the end intended for the spindle portion is made tolerably flat and square to the length of the bar, and a circle is scribed upon the extremity, the diameter of the circle being equal to the intended thickness of the axle part or pivot. A circle for such a purpose is shown on the end of the bar denoted by Fig. 807. To mark the length of the desired cylindrical end a vee-notch is filed entirely around the bar at a proper distance from the extremity, and the notch is made previous to any other shaping of the end being effected, except slightly preparing the extremity for scribing the circle. One edge of the notch will become the shoulder of the pivot, therefore the exact intended place of the shoulder is carefully ascertained; because from this the total length of the pivot-end to be made is marked, and whatever superfluous metal exists at the extremity can be then known. In order to make the notch exactly right-angular to the length of the bar or axle, the scribing which is to show the place for the notch must be done with a scriber and a square, the blade of the square being put to the place for the line, while the pedestal is put into close contact with the sides of the bar.

After the notch is properly and deeply made by means of a rough three-cornered file, or with an edge of a half-round one, the chiselling commences by using a grooving chisel, and enlarging the vee-notch until it is nearly deep enough to reach the cylindrical end which is to be produced; consequently, this grooving cuts off all the four corners adjoining the vee-notch.

When this is done the piece is ready for a planing chisel, if the end is not more than an inch or two in length; but if longer, one or two other deep grooves or notches should be made around the end in addition to the one at the intended shoulder. After the proper number of grooves are made, the planing-chisel is employed to cut off the remaining projections, the direction of the cuts with this chisel being at right-angles to that of the grooves ; consequently, the planing-chisel is driven in a direction which is parallel to the length of the shaft or bar.

During the chiselling of the grooves, the bar is held in a vice with the length horizontal, the portion which is chiselled being as close as possible to the vice-jaws, and the long end of the bar being supported with one of the author's screw-props. If the bar is short it may be thus held also while using the planing-chisel; but if long enough to reach the floor the long end should not be held on a screw-prop, but allowed to rest on the floor, as denoted in Fig. 822, in order to obtain as much resistance as possible at the place of cutting.