Replies

1. 
   furnituremaker | Aug 26, 2006 05:17pm | #1

   When making thorough mortises I prefer to mortise all the way through from one side.

   Whether using a router or hollow chisel mortiser tear-out can be completely eliminated or at least minimized by keeping three things in mind.

    

   1         . Start the cut from the face (visible) side. This way any tear-out will be buried within the joint

   2          Very sharp tools are a must.

   3          Back up the work piece. Placing a piece of scrap beneath the cut will eliminate much if not all of the tear out.

    

   I have made through (visible) mortises both with a router (up-cut spiral bit) and a hollow chisel mortiser. I prefer the router because it will give a much crisper line.   The corners will have to be squared up with a hand chisel.

    

   In instances where the through mortise is deeper than your tooling, (as in my Fantasia Bed) you will have to machine the joint from both sides. It can be tricky but not impossible to keep the two cuts inline. Again three things to keep in mind:

    

   1         Make sure your router or hollow chisel mortiser is cutting at a true 90 degrees.

   2         Be extra careful to machine your stock square

   3         Reference both cuts from the same side of the stock.

    

    

   Good luck.....Darrell

    

    

    

    

1. 
   oaksplinter | Aug 26, 2006 06:08pm | #2

   Thank you for your assistance.  I will try both options.  I have the mortising equipment and the router.  Thanks again.