JoJo, to get those pressure flakes to run across the face of the rock, the things you need most is to get the platforms well over toward the face that the flake is going to come off and put the force on the rock as if you are pushing the flake from it's butt end right out it's distal end, like pushing a train. There are some variables to that, the biggest of which is the type of pad you are chipping on. If you are using a slotted pad, almost all the force will need to be in the direction the flake should travel. It takes a lot of practice to keep the angle perfect as you build pressure. The rock will try it's best to twist on you so that the direction of force changes and becomes angled to take off a short flake. If you are using a soft pad, there is no need to put all the force into the intended flake path. you can build up a lot of pressure in the direction of the intended flake path and then with the wrist begin applying additional pressure across the intended plane of the flake. That sideways pressure will begin the detachment, and the soft pad will prevent the flake from tailing out quickly. The flake can even run across high places in the rock or across a rounded preform. Slotted pressure flaker pads do not do well at shooting flakes over humps and down the opposite side of the hump like a soft pad will do.
It looks like your rock in the above photo is pretty flat on the face. Either flaker pad should work just fine on it, but remember that pressure application on each is a bit different.
Keep chipping and showing the results. You're doing well.
WA
