Replies

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 31, 2003 07:01pm | #1

   Oak is a hard wood, of course, but the smoking, which is not appropriate, is probably caused by the inability of the chisel and bit to eject the waste material.  Try setting the chisel down a bit from the end of the chisel, about the thickness of a dime.  This will help, even if it does not solve the problem.  Second, at least for me, sometimes I have to stop and do a manual clean-out.  Finally, and this almost goes without saying, I am assuming that the chisel and bit are sharp.  If not, sharpen them, or replace them.  Oil is not something I would use. 

   Good luck.

1. 
   kenewald | Mar 31, 2003 10:04pm | #2

   That sounds like an excellent idea.  I'll move the chisel down a bit and see how it goes.

   I'm building a replica Mormon Handcart and trying to minimize the use of metal fasteners.

   Thank you,

   -Ken

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 31, 2003 10:20pm | #3

   I picked up this tip, which works well, from a FWW article a year or 2 ago. If you are a subscriber, you might check it out. I think it covered sharpening these tools as well.

1. 
   kenewald | Mar 31, 2003 10:45pm | #5

   Thanks, I'll check into it.

1. 
   kenewald | Apr 02, 2003 01:32am | #12

   OK, talked with Jet tech support.

   For Oak, secure the bit 5/32" below the chisel seat and as soon as the bit hits the wood press VERY hard and waste no time cutting the hole.  He said it's normal if it smokes but it would be minimized by going faster.

   He said softer woods won't have the same problem.

2. 
   NormInFujino | Apr 02, 2003 02:11am | #13

   Regarding the holddown issue, it's something that seems to plague most benchtop mortisers.  You might check out the online American Woodworker's Mortiser Review. I also bought the Jet mortiser recently, but haven't had a chance to set it up yet. Based only on what I've read, you do have to be careful about overheating and drawing the temper of the bits on these things, though as someone noted, the Jet has a slower speed motor and should thus be less liable to overheating.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

2. 
   TomFerreira | Apr 01, 2003 06:03am | #7

   s4s

   Try setting the chisel down a bit from the end of the chisel, about the thickness of a dime. 

   Don't you mean set the bit below the end of the chisel?

   TDF

1. 
   kenewald | Apr 01, 2003 05:57pm | #8

   I cleaned all the pitch off the bit and moved it down the width of a dime.  The second I hit the wood, it was smoking.  I went ahead and made all my square holes with my son holding the air blower nozzle right on the bit.  I'm sure that's not how it's supposed to work.

   Should I take the bit back to the Jet dealer .. or am I doing something else wrong?  The bit and machine are brand new.

   -Ken

   Edited 4/1/2003 10:58:30 AM ET by Ken

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 01, 2003 11:36pm | #10

   Ken

      The Jet is rated at 1725 rpm ( I think ). Difficult to over-feed at that rate. Is the oak dry?

      Sounds like dis-tempered bit as s4s metioned to Tom. I have never heard anyone else complain of this from the Jet. I would contact Jet technical and see if they have encountered the problem.

   sarge..jt

1. 
   kenewald | Apr 02, 2003 01:01am | #11

   I've had that oak slab for 2 years, and the guy before me said he had it for about a year.  It was about 2" thick till last weekend.  I cut it down to 1-1/2 sticks then mortised 1/2 way through them.  It smoked on the first hole.  It didn't smoke when I cut it up (with my trusty Skil saw .. it was easier to take the saw to the slab)

   I'll contact Jet tech support and see what I come up with.

   Thank you for your kind replies and advice.  You're greatly appreciated.

   -Ken

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 02, 2003 05:55am | #14

   Ken

      Interesting wht Jet told you. Too slow or fast a feed rate on a TS will get burn. Same with a router. Vary the feed rate and see what gives. Please post the results as I'm curious to see if you have the correct cure.

   Evening...

   sarge..jt

2. 
   AlanTurner | Apr 01, 2003 10:38pm | #9

   Yes, that is what I meant.  It seems the inquirer knew what I meant, even if I did not say it correctly.  But, no fix, it seems.  Wonder if he blued out the bit, drew the temper, and is now trying to cut with steel like a mashed potato.

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Mar 31, 2003 10:29pm | #4

   Ken

      Most hold-downs on Bench-tops aren't necessarily "state of the art". The clamp wilol improve that. s4s is pretty much on target. Sharp and clean of pitch build up being very important. I will add, make sure the chisel is aligned properly with the fence and the stock is not racking when you enter it. Racking usually results in the stock and chisel gettting stuck together. You did not mention this, so problay not.

   Luck...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   kenewald | Mar 31, 2003 10:50pm | #6

   Thanks Sarge. 

   I've got some pitch remover I purchased for sawblades.  I'll use it.