Mortimer the Mortiser is squeaky

[davidtu]

Using Delta 14-651 Mortiser with 1/2" bit on 4x4 douglas fir, driving down 1/2" I am hearing a lot of squeaking. Is that normal? Should the bit be oiled? Didn't see anything in manual on it... if so what sort of oil and how to apply?

Thanks!

[Ken Weaver]

I get squeaking sporadically and best I can tell its from chips not clearing the bit inside the hollow chisel. Smaller "bites" seems to reduce it considerably.

[LCHIEN]

Using Delta 14-651 Mortiser with 1/2" bit on 4x4 douglas fir, driving down 1/2" I am hearing a lot of squeaking. Is that normal? Should the bit be oiled? Didn't see anything in manual on it... if so what sort of oil and how to apply?

Thanks!

You might make sure the auger bit is not bottomed out against the chisel - usually the technique is to set the chisel 1/16th or 1/32nd from the top,
set the auger up tight to the chisel and clamp the chuck, then raise the chisel that last 1/16th or 1/32 to the top to provide clearance. Don't you love pushing the sharp (OUCH!) end of the auger and chisel up?

after having done that any squeaking is friction from the side of the auger against the inside of the chisel - I've applied some oil - not sure if that's recommended.

Mine's a jet but I had the same problem with Delta DP mortising adapter.

[Tom Hintz]

You can get all sorts of odd noises from a mortiser if the bit/chisel clearance isn't right. they are designed to have a gap between them that allows the chips to ride up thei bit inssde the chisel.
See the link below for an easy way to set that clearance consistently.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/setupmort.html

[davidtu]

I made some adjustments to the chisel/bit clearance before my original post, I think that was causing a lot of the initial problem... but when I was still hearing squeaks I thought I'd ask.

I'll double check how I'm setting it up... thanks for the link, read the article, very good stuff there... plus also the one of mortise and tenon joints, which was also of use.

Assuming I have it adjusted correctly, I'll keep a look out for chips jammed between the two.

Thanks to you all!