Wow, am I glad to see summer pass and the cooler months ahead. Two hurricanes in a row has left me in the mood for some relaxing woodworking.
I purchased a mortising machine early this year and haven’t even used it yet. I would like to buy a set of good bits for my machine without breaking the bank.
The archives indicate Clico and Fisch as good brands. The price difference between the two brands is staggering though. The Clico, if I am understanding Woodcafts pricing go for about $82 EACH.
Fisch on the otherhand is about $130 for a four bit set.
Any first hand experience with either brand? The Clico is over my budget if that pricing is correct, the fisch is priced the same as the Tiawanese brands.
Am I missing something?
Larry
Replies
Larry,
I can't comment on brand specifics, but will tell you that there's no reason to buy a set of them unless you have immediate plans to use all of the sizes or there's a significant discount to inspire such an expenditure.
Like many other woodworkers, I usually use the 1/4" and could probably get by with just that one size if I had to.
Other than that, make sure you set up the drill bit and chisel properly to avoid overheating and ruining them, paying attention to their temperature during use.
Many of the folks I know polish the outside faces of their chisels to reduce friction and make inserting and withdrawing them easier. Spraying them with a little Dri-Cote can't hurt either.
Good luck,
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
jazz,
I agree with you, but would add that the size that I use most is 5/16". It's about the right size for 7/8" stock (1/3 of thickness) and I find that it's enough bigger that it ejects chips better than the 1/4" that I have. I use 1/4" mortises on 3/4" stock, perhaps that's what you are working with most often?
For apron to leg joints for tables, I usually use a 3/8" mortise.
Regards,
Ray
Larry,
Two suggestions. First, Fisch imports a Chinese-made mortise chisel that is substantially less expensive and, I believe, better made than their own product. I can't remember the name of this line but it is on their website.
Secondly, another good source is Morris Wood Tools, http://www.morriswoodtool.com.
Good luck.
I use the c r a p out of mine, and can offer you some advice.
At least in my experience (others may disagree), buy the cheapest c r a p you can lay your hands on. Delta, by way of example, has two brands of bits, one made in Taiwan, and one obstensibly made in Austria. I have not noticed any difference in them, and indeed, the quarter inch bits heat up and break, whether they cost $20 or $80, if they are used too much without cooling down.
My two cents.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I too use my hollow chisel mortising bits a lot. The 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 are the ones I use the most. In those sizes, the Woodcraft brand bits seem to be every bit as good as the Clico. I have also had good luck with the bits sold by General of Canada. I believe that both sets are made in China or Taiwan. The Austrian bits sold by Delta don't seem to hold their edge as well. Since I hate sharpening, the low price allows me to throw them away when they are dull. Almost everything I build has at least 8-12 M&T joints plus other types of joinery.
I saw Harbor Freight stocks them in their store in St. Louis. But I never see them in HFs catalog. I forget the price, but not high.
I have the Fisch mortising machine and I use the bits/chisels that came with it. They have performed adequately for me. I have only used the 1/2" and 3/8" so far, I don't see a need currently for the 1/4". I don't think the outside of the chisel heats up from passing through the work piece. The heat is generated by the bit both from friction on the wood and to a lesser degree the inside of the chisel. I have heard through various forums that honing the chisel is the most important part of setup. To that I can say I never have honed a chisel yet mainly because I don't know how. I don't know of a method to hone the inside of the chisel. Is there a tool available?
Lee Valley carries a conical sharpening stone set for the hollow mortise chisels. I believe they have a shaft that you mount in a drill or drill press to use.
Dave
I ended up ordering the Fisch four piece set from Amazon. I may not need all the sizes, but I will have them anyway. The price is 139 so it is not a huge investment.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
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