Setting Up the Morticer
12
The old rule of thumb for chisel auger clearance was known as
“the one penny width”. This was achieved by introducing a pen-
ny between the locating shoulder of the chisel and the adaptor
face, with the auger locked in place and with the chisel pulled
hard down on the auger. The penny was then removed and the
chisel pushed up to the adaptor face and, locked in place, this
established the “one penny width” between the chisel and the
auger, which for general timbers and mortice sizes is quite ad-
equate, see figs 13-14. Traditional morticers normally had a cross
pin in the auger mounting mandrel, to prevent the auger being
pushed back up into the chisel. The mounting method on the
newer morticers is a chuck.
Initial Setup
Introduce the chisel into the adaptor collar, press the auger bit
up into the chuck and tighten the chuck, see fig 11, withdraw
the chuck key. Gently pinch the chisel in place by nipping tight
the grub screw, see fig 12.
Fig 11-12
Setting the Chisel Auger Clearance
It is well worth taking the extra time and care to prepare your
augers to give the correct ‘reach’ when ‘bottomed’ out in the
chuck. This will prevent the auger being pushed back towards
the chisel and altering the clearance setting, see fig B.
Fig 13-14
Penny
NOTE: Select the correct bush adaptor (F) for the shank of the
required chisel and introduce it into the underside of the chisel
head stock. Push the bush up as far as it will go, at the same
time lining up the hole in the side of the bush and screwing in
the grub screw, far enough to prevent the bush from falling
out, see fig A.
Fig A
Bush adaptor
Grub screw hole
F
