OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
& TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM
Bit burns or smokes
Excessive drill bit runout or
wobble
Drill binds in workpiece
PROBABLE CAUSE
1. Chips not coming out of hole.
2. Dull bit.
3. Feed rate too low.
1. Bent bit.
2. Chuck not properly installed.
3. Bit not properly installed.
4. Worn or loose chuck.
5. Worn spindle bearings.
1. Workpiece twisting or moving.
2. Excessive feed pressure.
REMEDY
1. Retract bit frequently to clear chips.
2. Sharpen or replace bit.
3. Feed faster.
1. Replace bit.
2. Remove chuck and install properly.
3. Remove bit and install properly.
4. Replace chuck.
5. Replace bearings.
1. Support or clamp workpiece.
2. Reduce pressure and clamp workpiece.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Quick Setting the Fence/Chisel/Mortise Position
A quick set method for achieving the correct position of the fence is as
follows:
Mark the center line of the mortise. Lower the head so that the bit point
just pierces the center mark, but not so hard that the workpiece cannot
be “spun”. Hold the head in place using the head height stop bushing.
Adjust the fence position by sliding it up against the back of the
workpiece, adjust the fence parallel with the front edge of the table and
secure the fence in place. Clamp the workpiece in position using either
the quick release vise, table hold downs or column mounted hold down.
Then proceed with squaring the chisel with fence using a square.
Quick Setting of the Mortise Depth
Put a mark on an easily accessible end of the workpiece to be
mortised, at the depth you require. Loosen the height stop lock knob so
that the bushing sits on the stop plate and follows the head movement.
Pull the head down, and put the end of the wood against the chisel.
Position the head so that the chisel points or the bit point are at the
depth required. Tighten the height stop lock knob to hold the head in
position. Loosen the depth stop lock knob and raise the depth stop
bushing and position it to the underside of the stoip plate and retighten
the depth stop lock knob.
Release the height stop bushing and raise the head until you have
sufficient clearance between the chisel and the workpiece. Reposition
the downfeed lever to give the most comfortable position and test your
adjustment by pulling on the lever, over the full distance of the
movement you have just set, until it reaches the depth stop bushing.
Readjust setting if necessary.
Operational Hints
Make sure that the chisel and bit being used are sharp.
If you position the chisel opening to the right, this means that after the
first cut, the sliding table should be moved to the left for subsequent
cuts. This allows chips to escape freely through the opening in the chisel.
Make sure the workpiece is held firmly against the fence when cutting
and that the hold down(s) being used are properly adjusted. The rate
of penetration of the chisel must be fast enough to prevent burning at
the tip if the bit, but not too fast as to stall the motor. You may encounter
smoke from the bit or material once the chisel has engaged the
material. The smoke created is a natural operating occurrence in
hollow chisel mortising and is caused by material chip friction and the
resins in the stock being burned off. Bluing of the chisel after the initial
use is not indicative of a dull chisel, it is indicative of too much heat
which will lead to premature dulling and resin buildup on the cutting
faces of the chisel. A dull chisel can be detected by the amount of
excess force required to complete a cut.
When performing a through-mortise, a thin piece of wood (1/4”-1/2”
thick) should be placed between the workpiece and the table and a
depth stop adjustment should be made to prevent “chipout” at the
bottom of the mortise and also to prevent damaging the table.
Maintenance
There is very little maintenance required on your mortiser. Keep it
clean, make sure the rack and pinion gears do not become clogged
with chips/sawdust. Lightly spray oil on all exposed metal surfaces if
the machine is going to stand idle for any length of time. Keep the
chisels and bits sharp.
Adjusting Sliding Fit Between Head and Column
To ensure a good sliding fit between head and column when head is
raised and lowered. The correct adjustment is when a good snug
sliding fit is obtained without any side movement between the head and
column. The adjustment should not be too tight that it restricts the
sliding movement or too loose that it affects accuracy.
Loosen hex. nuts (A) Fig.19 which secure set screws (B). Screw in set
screws until movement is eliminated. Once adjustment is done,
retighten hex. nuts.
Figure 19
