HF hollow chisel mortiser question

[AlanWS]

I recently got the HF hollow chisel mortiser, and plan to set it up with the XY vise. Setup with out the vise, the 1/4" and 3/8" chisels cut decent mortises. However, the 1/2" chisel cuts a mortise with a substantial curve cut on the walls. It's as if the bit were oversized, so it cuts beyond the edge of the chisel, though I think it's caused by an eccentric bit with a horrible center spur. Filing the spur helped a little but not enough.

Unfortunately, I know I got the last mortiser from my local HF, and I can't find the bits without the mortiser on the website. (I could have sworn I've seen them before though.) Before I make too much of a fuss trying to get this bit replaced, could someone confirm that the 1/2" mortises cut with their HF mortiser are OK? This is not too much too expect, is it? Or is there a simple fix?

I know a better mortiser would be a good solution, but it's not in the running. This one was an option because it was on sale at $100 while I had a 15% off coupon. I need the 1/2" chisel for my workbench project.

[just started]

I really wouldn't care what results other's have had, I would demand that they replace the bad bit with one that works correctly. Just because their prices are not the highest doesn't mean we should accept poorly made merchandise.

[Popeye]

If the other two bits cut fine I'd get them to replace the 1/2" bit. I did the HF mortiser with an X/Y vice and I'd put it up against most other benchtop units out there. You could also be taking too big of a bite. Other than the first hole I never cut more than 1/2 the bit width and generally make a clean up pass along the whole mortise. Or you could just have a bad bit. Make them replace it. HF is real good for making things good at the store. Pat

[LCHIEN]

you can buy auger/chisel pair for around $15, maybe less for chinese made ones.
from you description the auger is either out of roun or something.
Beware there are two sizes of the bushing collar at the top, make sure you get the right one. Surprisingly the collar size is not indicated in most catalog descriptions even though there are two standard sizes.

[Rich P]

Hf SKU

For what it is worth (probably not much other than to confirm your recollection), HF did sell the set (I have it) and the SKU was 47062. Appears to have been discontinued.

Fine Woodworking has a video on sharpening/tune up which may help.

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki....aspx?id=26532

[AlanWS]

Thank you all.

It turns out that searching for these is trickier than some things, and "mortise chisel bit set" are better keywords than hollow chisel, or some others. The best prices are Hartville on clearance, ($8-$9) but the 1/2" bit I need is available only in a set, and I'm not sure the chisel shank size. CMT bits are available at reasonable prices with the 3/4" chisel shank I need. Amazon has better prices, and they're on the woodcraft website ($20) but not in stock locally. Powermatic bits from amazon are also reasonably priced ($20), but I'm not sure of their chisel shank size.

After checking around and failing to find anything locally, I've modified mine more, filing the center spur half away to get it centered. Then I spun the bit and ground it down to the right diameter, and now it does cut much better, leaving a pretty reasonable mortise.

Thanks particularly for the link to the video on sharpening these. While Rockler is out of their sharpening kit, I'm sure I can use sandpaper on a wooden cone for that purpose.

[cork58]

Replace

Replace it at their cost. You do get what you pay for. I buy very little from HF. You should also get a tool for keeping them sharp. Look at Rockler, they have a very good set of tools to use. The one for the chisel is on back order till 5/9 but is a great add on. There is a very good write up on how and when on Woodsmith, last month. I'm doing blind work right not in some very hard places and will tell you sharp means alot for a good mortise, I even sharpen a new chisel.

Just my thoughts.

[AlanWS]

As I mentioned, there are no mortisers or chisels in any of the nearby HF stores, making exchange rather inconvenient. Rockler has none of their sharpeners in stock in the local store or their online store either.

However, following the sharpening instructions on the video, and doing fairly major surgery on the bit, I now have it cutting well and smoothly. It turns out to be pretty easy to turn a conical piece of wood to hone the chisel, using a drill press, block plane, and another piece of wood to press on the opposite side of the workpiece to keep the plane from putting sideways stress on the quill. If you try this, making the cone oversized makes it easier to keep sandpaper in place while sharpening.

Thanks again.