Pursuant to getting a new Delta mortiser (14-651), I am concerned about how
one ensures that he/she cuts a slot in, say, the centerline of a piece (and
not slightly left or right of that spot). Can one assume that the point of
the auger bit, if placed on the centerline of the piece will result in a
centered mortise or does one measure from the outside flat of the chisel
housing to the edge of the piece to determine distance to the center of the
piece? Because of the clearance in the center of the mortising bit, it's
not clear if that the auger tracks exactly the same as the chisel part. Is
there a jig, template or procedure that could be followed that eliminates
the error from this measuring operation? It would be nice to benefit for
the skills that are present in this newsgroup without spoiling lots of nice
wood to learn the operation of this machine.
Thanks and Regards,
TEF
"TEF" wrote in message
> Pursuant to getting a new Delta mortiser (14-651), I am concerned about
how
> one ensures that he/she cuts a slot in, say, the centerline of a piece
(and
> not slightly left or right of that spot). Can one assume that the point
of
> the auger bit, if placed on the centerline of the piece will result in a
> centered mortise or does one measure from the outside flat of the chisel
> housing to the edge of the piece to determine distance to the center of
the
> piece? Because of the clearance in the center of the mortising bit, it's
> not clear if that the auger tracks exactly the same as the chisel part.
Is
> there a jig, template or procedure that could be followed that eliminates
> the error from this measuring operation? It would be nice to benefit for
> the skills that are present in this newsgroup without spoiling lots of
nice
> wood to learn the operation of this machine.
Note that not all mortises are "centered" between the edges of the
workpiece.
Mark the location of the proposed mortises on your workpiece with a pencil
or use a mortising gauge. Then use the marks to align the chisel, not the
bit.
As you are operating the machine, the left and right limits of the _chisel
edge_ are defined by your marks, the front to back, or width of the
mortises, by the fence.
Tip: ALWAYS reference the same edges of your workpieces with the fence.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 11/06/04
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 08:47:02 -0500, "TEF" <[email protected]> calmly
ranted:
>Pursuant to getting a new Delta mortiser (14-651), I am concerned about how
I bought the Shop Fox mortiser and love it. Be aware that the new
Deltas are Chinese-made now. (So say the specs on Amazon for 14-651)
>one ensures that he/she cuts a slot in, say, the centerline of a piece (and
>not slightly left or right of that spot). Can one assume that the point of
>the auger bit, if placed on the centerline of the piece will result in a
>centered mortise or does one measure from the outside flat of the chisel
>housing to the edge of the piece to determine distance to the center of the
>piece? Because of the clearance in the center of the mortising bit, it's
>not clear if that the auger tracks exactly the same as the chisel part. Is
>there a jig, template or procedure that could be followed that eliminates
>the error from this measuring operation? It would be nice to benefit for
>the skills that are present in this newsgroup without spoiling lots of nice
>wood to learn the operation of this machine.
I clamp a scrap piece in there, setthe fence, bore a hole, and
check with a pair of dial calipers. If it's off, I adjust with the
little screw on the back, bore, and recheck.
But I haven't done a straight mortise yet. They've all been offset
with reveal. As long as all of them are even, 0.001" precision isn't
an issue.
Alternatively, mark the hole and leave the drill bit out of the
mortiser, run the chisel down and adjust for a centered bore. Then
insert (and set up) the bit and you're ready to go.
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"TEF" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Pursuant to getting a new Delta mortiser (14-651), I am concerned about
> how
> one ensures that he/she cuts a slot in, say, the centerline of a piece
> (and
> not slightly left or right of that spot). Can one assume that the point
> of
> the auger bit, if placed on the centerline of the piece will result in a
> centered mortise or does one measure from the outside flat of the chisel
> housing to the edge of the piece to determine distance to the center of
> the
> piece? Because of the clearance in the center of the mortising bit, it's
> not clear if that the auger tracks exactly the same as the chisel part.
> Is
> there a jig, template or procedure that could be followed that eliminates
> the error from this measuring operation? It would be nice to benefit for
> the skills that are present in this newsgroup without spoiling lots of
> nice
> wood to learn the operation of this machine.
>
> Thanks and Regards,
> TEF
You use the back fence to gauge the distance from the edge. Use a scrap to
test and verify your measurement is correct.
"TEF" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Pursuant to getting a new Delta mortiser (14-651), I am concerned about
how
> one ensures that he/she cuts a slot in, say, the centerline of a piece
(and
> not slightly left or right of that spot).
I'd have said "and not fore or aft" of the spot. Anyway - you don't
typically mark the centerline. I mark the outer boundaries of the mortise.
Then you let the chisel points, at the corners, ensure you're on the mark.
> Can one assume that the point of
> the auger bit, if placed on the centerline of the piece will result in a
> centered mortise
Within reason, probably. Meaning nothing a little 120grit or scraper
wouldn't fix.
> not clear if that the auger tracks exactly the same as the chisel part.
Is
> there a jig, template or procedure that could be followed that eliminates
> the error from this measuring operation?
*Always* test things on scrap, milled to precisely the same dimensions...