If you make a lot of mortise and tenon joints, a Hollow Chisel Mortiser is a tool you should really consider. It makes quick work of the repetitive task of batching out mortises. And unlike the router, it leaves nice square ends that pair perfectly with tenons made at the tablesaw or cut by hand. This is a fairly comprehensive video and tells you pretty much everything you need to know to purchase, set up, and use a hollow chisel mortiser.

Topics

• Introduction – 1:04
• The Chisel & Bit – 2:02
• Types of Mortisers – 3:37
• Key Features – 4:33
• Setup & Calibration – 8:10
• Setting Chisel to Bit Distance – 10:06
• Setting Chisel Parallel to Fence – 14:22
• Two Ways to Use the Mortiser – 17:07
• Sharpening & Maintenance – 19:08

Products Used

Shapton Ceramic Stones
Diamond Honing Plates
Rockler’s 3-pc Mortiser Sharpening Set
Mortise Chisel Sharpening Kit with pilots
DriCote Dry Lubricant

In the second and final part of our tablesaw setup series, we continue our quest for fine tuning. Topics include setting the blade bevel angle, adjusting fence alignment with the blade, adjust fence so that it is square to the table, setting up the insert, and lining up the splitter.

And at the end, you will get a nice full view of the new saw. For those who are curious, it is a PM Custom from the folks at Wood Werks Supply.

Back to Part 1

In this episode, I cover the basic setup and tuneup of one of the coolest tools in the shop: the bandsaw. Whether you plan on cutting veneer, re-sawing lumber, or cutting curves, the quality of the cut will improve if your bandsaw is properly tuned. Learn how to properly tension the blade, set the guides, adjust for drift, as well an many other tips can tricks.

Having trouble deciding what blade to buy? I’ll help you with that too! Here are a few general recommendations:

Resawing – 1/2″ Wide with Hook or Skip Confifuration and 3 TPI
Veneer – 1/2″ or 3/4″ Wide with Hook Configuration and 4-6 TPI
Scrolling/Curves – 1/4″ Wide with 6 TPI