Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Aug 03, 2004 02:47pm | #1

   Stephen,

   I hold the bit down between 1/64" and 1/32" from where it bottoms out in the chisel.  Others may have different preferences. Too little slack, and it will run hot, too much and chips will bind instead of being pulled up the flutes of the bit.

   Having the bit and the chisel sharp will make a difference in how it cuts.  You can use carvers' slip stones to hone the bit's cutting edges and lips, and a pointed grinder on a 1/4" shank chucked in your drill will take care of the chisel's inside edges.  Stone the outside flats LIGHTLY on your bench stone to remove any burrs, you don't want it to be tapered!

   If it is getting really hot, try slowing down the bit speed another notch or two.  Half inch mortises in white oak is hard going.

   Cheers,

   Ray

1. 
   AlbionWood | Aug 03, 2004 08:19pm | #4

    try slowing down the bit speed another notch or two.

   How do you do this with a BT machine?

   "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

   Edited 8/3/2004 1:20 pm ET by AlbionWood

1. 
   joinerswork | Aug 04, 2004 12:37am | #5

   Albion,

   Dunno, I mortise using a drill press; it has step pulleys...Those bench top machines are one speed? 

   Cheers,

   Ray

1. 
   AlbionWood | Aug 05, 2004 02:23am | #6

   Yes, they are direct-drive."Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

1. 
   citrouille | Aug 06, 2004 04:56am | #7

   I hope you guys are not going straight down !

   Plunge about 1/8" and come out, keep doing it till you are at the set depth.

   Give the drill the time to clear the chip, give the chisel a little break heatwise, the harder the wood the shallower the plunges.

   And then there is the horse power question !

   C.

2. 
   jazzdogg | Aug 03, 2004 07:59pm | #2

   Stephen,

   We use a dime as a spacing jig when installing the bit & square chisel in the mortiser - the thickness of a dime seems to be just about the optimal distance between the bottom of the chisel and the bottom of the bit.

   FWIW, clear the chips frequently and watch for overheating during use.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

3. 
   AlbionWood | Aug 03, 2004 08:18pm | #3

   I also do a lot of mortising in WO and 1/2" is definitely pushing the capabilities of a BT machine.  Even if your bit starts out sharp, WO quickly takes the edge off and can even curl the points.  Most of the time I use a 1/4" chisel and make two passes.  Lot less strain on both man and machine that way... I was getting a sore shoulder and stiff neck from pulling that handle to force the 1/2" bit into the wood.

   "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  A. Einstein

   http://www.albionworks.net

4. 
   GT | Aug 07, 2004 01:32pm | #8

   FWW did  a review and proper setup of this type of machine,don`remember which issue.