Hollow Chisel Mortiser Proper Sharpening, polishing, Set up and Use W Dr Joe

[@BethesdaWoodworks]

I've watched so many videos on hollow chisel mortising, but I've never seen anyone talk about flattening/polishing the 'backs' of the chisels, but it of course makes perfect sense! Why didn't I think of that??? I know what I'll be doing later today. Thanks, Joe!

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I believe my video is the most comprehensive complete video on this topic. I’ve watched a number of them also and I’ve been consistently disappointed that they have been less than complete. I believe my video represents a complete sharpening of every aspect and makes hollow chills or more tossing fun because the chisel glide through the wood. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@JosephHunstad]

I’m so glad that was helpful. If the chisels and augurs aren’t really really sharp hollow chisel mortising is a challenge but when they’re really sharp it’s actually a joy. I have another video that is a close-up on the tip of the auger that you might find useful. Thanks again for your comment

[@peterszutu555]

Been doing hollow chisel mortises for years and totally agree with the importance of sharpening and polishing the tool. I bought an economic set of chisels years ago and tried using them right out of the box. Just didn’t work, getting stuck, hard to get any penetration. So I polished the four sides of the chisel on my 2000 grit water stone and tried again. Huge difference without doing anything else. Now I’ve polished my entire set and will work on the auger and the hollow next. The difference is huge.

[@andyhastings5950]

If I hadn't seen Dr. Joe's and Bob C's video I would have packed mine up and shipped them back as junk. Now I'll use the attachment more and more.

[@jimw544]

Hi Joe. Just bumped into this video. Twenty years ago I got a free mortising attachment with my Delta drill press. Never used it because someone said something negative about it. Well yesterday I install it and found it works great! I'm a hobbyist with a nice 1/3 basement shop and I have no more room for tools. This attachment fits the bill. With knobs and such attached it's not going back in the plastic case. I'll find drawer space for it. Should take but 5 minutes to reinstall on the drill press. Anyway, thanks for the video. Great refresher and all the info in one place. I like that. :). I did see someone stick a ruler using a magnet to the chisel and then measured the distance from the ends of the ruler to the fence to get the chisel square to the fence. But your way work fine also which is how I do it. Thanks again Jim - Atlanta

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you very much for your comment. I’m glad you found your attachment and now with properly sharpen bits. It’ll be super fun to use. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@orrinkelso9295]

I thought my bench top mortiser worked fine right out of the box. I did not do any prep work on the chisels at all. But I did notice that the chisel was hard to push into the wood and the mortise was a bit rough. I will definitely sharpen all of my chisels after watching your great video and will look forward to it working that much better.

[@robertrapp1595]

Thank you for the teaching video. Well done. I have a bench mortiser that almost lost my mind over. Inside I knew a brand new chisel had to be sharpened especially inside, great video.

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you very much for your comment. Yes if you don’t sharpen those chisels properly, it just doesn’t work very well and it’s a problem and it’s just not fun to use difficult, etc.. You get burning wood, a poor result. I believe every step that I discussed in the video is essential to give the very best result and if you go through each one of those steps, I think you’ll find that hollow chisel mortar is a joy to use. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@TheDublin47]

Well they say that you learn somethink new every day. Well to tell you the truth you are a inspiration to all wood workers i have certainly learn how to sharping a mortise chisel after watching this video. Keep up the good work Dr Joe lots of Irish luck from Dublin

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you very much TheDublin47 I am getting ready to film another video on actually the use of this to show everyone how relatively effortless it becomes when things are truly sharp. Thank you very much for your comment. It’s a real shot in the arm for me. Please consider subscribing. Thanks - Joe

[@chrislambert9435]

Thankyou for this Helpful presentation . . . Chris ... from Norwich, England

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your kind words. I hope you found it useful. It is made my use of the hollow chisel miter a pleasure versus drudgery consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your comment. In some ways it makes sense to remove some material from the chisel so that it illuminates the drag is the chisel pushes through the wood. I am concerned however, that the chisel might possibly wander if it’s not supportive throughout the entire cut. I do know that if if you finally polish all four sides of the chisel it moves through the wood with dramatically less effort than you would imagine. I would tend to keep mine in tact but I’m interested to hear how your‘s work when you have remove that material. Thank you

[@anthonybeaver3734]

Great video! I would like to have had a different camera angle for the auger sharpening but still was able to comprehend what you were doing with it. Very informative and a great learning tool.

[@anthonybeaver3734]

Just saw your comment below on the other auger video. Will be sure to watch that one.

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you, anthony! When these boots are properly, sharpen and polished, they work like a dream otherwise they’re quite a pain. I have a second video, with a total focus on the auger and the tip. I’d like to refer you to. Consider subscribing. Thank you, Joe.

[@tinkmarshino]

excellent.. just what I was looking for..

[@JosephHunstad]

There’s nothing like using sharp well prepared tools. I hope you found that video useful. It makes using a hollow Chisholm Mortimer a joy versus a pain. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@tinkmarshino]

@@JosephHunstad Oh yeah.. I have used chisels for the last 73 years.. I thought this would be easier for me now.. But the dang thing wouldn't work.. Now I see my mistake.. it was so obvious.. I have subscribed now and can't wait to go through your video's

[@commonla13]

Extremely helpful. Thank you for putting this video together.

[@sethwarner2540]

Great comprehensive show! I would have liked to see a close-up of the bit in action, expelling the chips effortlessly!!

[@JosephHunstad]

Hello Seth. Thank you for your comment. Yes a close up video showing chip ejection would be cool but I didn’t do it but trust me it works great when properly sharpened even with hard maple. I built a dining room table with my daughter we had 150 Morrises to make it worked like a dream.

[@Argyll9846]

Great video on tuning up the chisel morticer - can't say I've seen a better one. My new morticer and chisels arrives next week and I'll be ready to whip it into shape before using it.

[@JosephHunstad]

When the bits are tuned up it is really a pleasure. It takes some time, but itsreally worth it. Thanks Joe

[@andrewlipic8414]

Thank you for making this tutorial.

[@JosephHunstad]

You are very welcome. It’s remarkable how well these mortising machines work when the bits are properly sharpened they become a joy to use. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@Dazza19746]

Excellent advice, I had a shocker of a day, with tenon machine and my new Japanese 10 mm mortise bit I waited 4-5 months for! Smoking and cutting super rough, destroying timber! I sharpened up to 16000 on the shapton from 1000, took a while at 1000 to 5000 then 8000 and 16000 not too bad. take the edge off the water stones folks! Especially on the little chisels! Or your hands will be all little cuts and honing with blood! Just shaped a piece of 10 x 10 timber for inside edge , popped it in drill and hit inside bevel with honing paste, polish up edges of drill bit. Cutting clean and easy! I actually thought I’d picked up a bit of cedar instead of the thermally modified hemlock I’m using it was that much easier! But it wasn’t!! Thank you doc ! Tomorrow will be a better day 👍🏻

[@KeithAubrey-v6p]

Great video, very informative. I have a bench top morticer, and until recently, I never realised the importance of sharpness and polished finish. Please could you comment on the orientation of the chisel in terms of chip ejection face. Should this be parallel to the fence or at 90 degrees to the fence. I have read articles with arguments for both! You are certainly one skilled man, thank you.

[@JosephHunstad]

Hello Keith. Thank you for your great comment and question. Yes, you can put the ejection port either directly opposite the fence or in line with the fence. Your call. I typically have it opposite the fence so I can see the quality of the chips that are eject in to be sure I’m not feeding it too fast and causing the chips to burn. Consider subscribing. Thanks, Joe.

[@jenniferb2740]

Can’t wait to see the finished product.

[@JosephHunstad]

I am making an English Garden Bench of Mahogany. It will be beautiful. Check out my latest video on wicked sharp hollow chisel mortising bits! Thanks Stay Safe JPH

[@alessandrosuppini943]

Thank you Joseph for the detailed demonstration on how to properly hone the chisel and the auger bit. I’ve heard that it might help to file 1/32 of an inch from each side of the chisel starting from 1/4 inch from the bottom to facilitate the chisel entering the wood with no jamming. Have you tried this method?

[@andyhastings5950]

I honed a very slight recess, maybe 1thou. But it was really the overall honing and rework of the augers that made the difference. I didn't think the auger work as going to do much, wow was I wrong. It's at least 40% of the overall improvement. PS: I don't see how you could remove 1/32". Especially the 1/4" without screwing it up.

[@steveworkman355]

Great information! Now I know! Thanks

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your comment. Yes when your chisels are sharp, mortising is a pleasure. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@Eddys_World42]

Would you mind please posting in your description links to purchase the equipment you used?

[@JosephHunstad]

very ssorry for the delay. I listed the diamond sharpening cones and the Shapton Stones from Rob Cosman. Let me know if thaat is good anything else givee me a shout thankk you. Consider subscribing. Thanks Joe

[@christophercastor6666]

Nicely explained sir! Something sounds off with your machine though. Maybe it’s a vibration that’s amplified by the recording, but it’s definitely something I would search for and attend before going much further. Sounds like a bad bearing from here. I am a subscriber now thanks to this video and I look forward to seeing what else do you come up with. Stay safe in the shop and I look forward to seeing more of your experiences soon. -CYC

[@JosephHunstad]

Hello Christopher! Thank you for your kind comments and thank you for your observation. I haven’t noticed that bad bearing sound, but I’m going to check it out. Because it’s a direct drive with the spindle connected to the motor shaft. The only bearings would be the internal motor bearings which obviously I could replace. After I check it out I will try to give you a shout back. Thanks for subscribing. More videos to come. Take care, Joe.

[@buddhalovechild]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@JosephHunstad]

Hi Keith, Thanks for your nice comment. Consider subscribing. Thanks, Joe.

[@jameskane419]

Dr. Joe: Wonderful video. I make things like Morris chairs and couches with a mix of 7/4 hard maple legs and arm rests with cherry rails. Through mortises are in the hard maple. I have a Powermatic floor model mortiser much like your Jet. With proper sharpening, as per your video, can I cut through mortises in the 7/4 hard maple with (say) a 9/16, 5/8, or 11/16 hollow chisel bit? In the past, I have made 3/4 and even 1 inch wide mortises by "nibbling" away with a 1/4 or 3/8 bit in 3 passes. Thank you. Jim Kane

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you very much for your comment. The key with these is to rehome them after each use which I routinely do. I know I have drilled three-quarter inch mortises through mahogany and walnut but those are softer woods than hard maple. I would take a scrap piece and start with 9/16 you’ll probably do fine. Be sure your more to set up is correct so you have a small gap between the auger and the chisel. Consider subscribing. Thanks again Joe

[@jameskane419]

@@JosephHunstad Dr. Joe: I have subscribed. Thanks for the reply. Jim Kane

[@orrinkelso9295]

I see you have the Marples chisels. How do you like them?

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your question. Yes I have a set of marbles chisels they’re good and every day type useful hand tool. They do except a keen edge and stay sharp relatively well. IBC and Lie Nielsen are some truly outstanding chisels particularly good if you’re doing hand cut dovetails. It’s funny as our hand tool skills progress. We begin to appreciate the nuances of very high-quality Tools. Don’t get me wrong. The Marples blue Chip have served me well for years.

[@randypowell4799]

great video ThAnks

[@JosephHunstad]

Thanks for your nice comment Randy. When those chisels and augers are properly sharpened and polished, hollow chisel mortising is a joy. It makes all the difference in the world. Enjoy your woodworking. Consider subscribing. Thanks. Joe.

[@markmaclean5297]

Would love to know where you buy your diamond cones from

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your question. I believe they’re available both from Rockler and woodcraft. Take care - Joe

[@JosephHunstad]

They are available from Lee Valley tools for sure. Take care - Joe

[@andyhastings5950]

Great video on sharpening, better that Bob Cosman. However his video of set up is better. Recommend both videos.

[@JosephHunstad]

Thank you for your comment Andy. Please consider subscribing. I am a fan of Rob Cosman and I’ve spoken with him a number of times and I own a number of his beautifully made saws and other tools. Thanks Joe

[@andyhastings5950]

@@JosephHunstad I was so impressed I subscribed at the three minute mark. As one who performs to rescue old tools for my shop I've only purchased a few small items from Bob. I'll be going back through your earlier shows. Thanks, Andy

[@JosephHunstad]

@@andyhastings5950 Thank you for your nice comment. Take care Joe

[@andyhastings5950]

@@JosephHunstad I received my DP motiser adapter today. Lots of tune-up work. Between you and Bob I know I'll conquer it.

[@JosephHunstad]

@@andyhastings5950 Hello Andy. When you get it done send me a picture I’d like to see it take care Joe

[@joe1569]

Old school guy.

[@amezcuaist]

The video fails in an important way .The sharpening of the Auger part was done behind your hand ,and the close ups were blurred. So the Idea was Good but the Execution was Poor . Nevertheless the importance of sharpening first off is the best idea .A very useful video for that .But I would clamp the auger to keep it still .

[@JosephHunstad]

John, I agree with you completely. That’s why I made another video that shows close-up sharpening. I realize that I was in the way it is a typical issue when it’s a totally one-man show which channel is. Consider subscribing. Check out that other video. Thanks Joe.

[@oviknowsbest8002]

Your hands are in the way so we can't see how you're sharpening the auger bit.

[@JosephHunstad]

YES YOU ARE CORRECT that is why I did another video to demonstrate the auger filing Sorry I'm a one-man show. please look at: studio.kzbin.infoH9YHwXjqDqU/edit

[@tobyb9922]

Shame the camera is behind you. Your sausages are nearly always in the way

[@JosephHunstad]

@@tobyb9922 hello. You are totally right and that’s why I redid the video actually there’s another video that’s basically a close-up of everything that I do get my fat sausages out of the way check it out thanks consider subscribing. Joe.

[@jeffshorey9986]

Your have no clue

[@JosephHunstad]

Hey buddy, I appreciate your comment but I don’t understand it. Could you expand on that? Thank you so much. Take care. Joe.

[@kingofcastlechaos]

I have been doing this for a living almost 50 yrs and the man making the video has a clue about the subject matter. Learn how to structure a proper reply and watch your spelling. You sound like an apprentice I had in the 80's- he washed out with us but went on to be a chef at McDonald's if memory serves me, so get your act together.