Replies

1. 
   k9s | Sep 28, 2003 06:25am | #1

   I've had the most success with 840 rpm on my 5 speed DP. Get clean cuts without burning. Any faster gets things to smoking.

1. 
   user-349587 | Sep 29, 2003 12:11am | #3

   Thank you for the reply. I was cutting the holes in clear pine 1/2 inch thick. I was using the Grizzly 5/16th bit. I seems like this wood had a lot of resin in it as I had to dis assemble bit and chisel every fourth or fifth cut. I had the drill press set on 990 and that appeared to fast.

1. 
   user-349587 | Sep 29, 2003 12:28am | #6

   Do you guys know where you get the conical stone to sharpen the chisels. I saw it in one of the catalogs.

1. 
   k9s | Sep 29, 2003 03:17am | #8

   Do a google search for slip stones, I think a gouge slip is what you are looking for. Use on the inside of the chisel only. I've also had good luck with wiping down the outside of the chisel with Topcoat. Aids in release from hardwoods.

   An addition to Ron's quarter trick. I use a dime (I must be cheap). Anyway I've read that you want the drill to lead the chisel about 3/32''.

2. 
   dsiddens | Sep 29, 2003 06:34am | #9

   Horseman,

   I got my set two of conical, diamond sharpeners from Lee Valley. When I first got to playing around with my JET bench top unit I had a terrible time. Eventually I go on those hollow chisel sets with a variety of abrasives and really cleaned up the metal. When I first put the diamond cones to work I found that I really used the coarse one 'cause the angle of the hollow chisel from JET was steeper than that of the cone. But all is well now.

   Doug in western NC

1. 
   Elcoholic | Sep 29, 2003 11:02pm | #10

   Tried the dime trick but found it too loose.  The auger bit was wandering leaving a scalloped edge on the mortise wall.  I set them by feel, just loose enough so they don't squeel.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 28, 2003 07:08am | #2

   horseman

      Most mortice machines are 1725 rpm. Your drill press will not exert the downward pressure as those machines though. K9S has the correct approach. You probably need to get some scrap stock and start at 1725 rpm. Move it down (up if necessary) to next lowest, etc., etc. till you find the "sweet spot".

      Keep this in mind. Different species of stock might require different rpm's to get the best results. Slower seems to be more suited to hard-wood and faster for soft-wood. The moisture content of a particular wood will come into play also. So, experiment and make mental notes to get the best results in the future.

      Whatever you do, keep the chisels sharp and keep the pitch build-up off them. This is especially true with soft-wood on the pitch scenario.

   Have fun...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   user-349587 | Sep 29, 2003 12:12am | #4

   Thank you for the reply. I was cutting the holes in clear pine 1/2 inch thick. I was using the Grizzly 5/16th bit. I seems like this wood had a lot of resin in it as I had to dis assemble bit and chisel every fourth or fifth cut. I had the drill press set on 990 and that appeared to fast.

2. 
   user-349587 | Sep 29, 2003 12:27am | #5

   Do you guys know where you get the conical stone to sharpen the chisels. I saw it in one of the catalogs.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 30, 2003 08:34am | #12

   horseman

      Conical stone or about anything else you might need.

   http://WWW.highlandhardware.com

      Lee Valley, Woodcraft, etc. probably have them also.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   ron61 | Sep 29, 2003 01:30am | #7

   I assume you know the the bit needs to be set where it is cutting the wood before the chisel squares the corners.

   I had trouble with mine until someone told me to use the thickness of a Quarter as a guide to set the depth of the drill beyond the chisel.

   Who Ever Has The Biggest Pile Of Tools When You Die Wins

1. 
   user-349587 | Sep 30, 2003 04:31am | #11

   Whoops Grizzly says  leave the chisel a 32nd before bottoming out and the drill will set itself. I do not think the drill was down far enough. I have never used a mortising chisel before, but as you said I will experiment.