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Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

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Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#1

Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

George Bustamante

>Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortises

Problem: I use a slot mortiser (gasp a machine!), which make beautiful mortises, albeit with rounded over ends versus the normal square mortises made with a chisel. This works fine for loose tenons, which can be easily rounded over to match, but not so well for small square tenons. Refining the mortise with a chisel (making it square), defeats some of the value of the slot mortiser – is there a better way?

Idea: Use a variation of a plane float to broach cut the curved portion of the mortise. The float would have to match the width of the mortise exactly.


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Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#2

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

thomd

>Interesting idea. First thought is that it would only work for through mortices. Second thought is that this is the advantage of the hollow chisel tool. I think this idea might work but to get crisp lines I would probably still rely on the hand chisel. High risk of tear-out, while chiseling would press down on the fibers. You could try it though and maybe surprise us all.

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#3

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

Larry Williams

>now that you mention this, there are very similar floats in the works.

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#4

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

George Bustamante

>I really do not like the hollow chisel tools, and since I already have a slot mortiser (it is actually a nice mill drill), and lots of bits...

Yes, my motivation was to make nice through mortices - no faking those! Fit and finish has to be spot on for success (no - gee, maybe if I used epoxy ... moments).

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#5

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

George Bustamante

>I got the idea while browsing the plane making tools on your website!

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#6

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

thomd

>I think I need the regular floats first!

I don't have any problems with the hollow chisel mortiser, as long as it's properly set up, and it's probably the quietest power tool with the least dust that I have.

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#7

The float must match exactly?

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond, CA

>Why? A 1/8-1/4" float could do what you want, and be much more versitle.

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mortise

#8

Re: Mortise Float -Tool Idea for Squaring Slot Mor

Daniel E Fisher

>The easiest way to solve this problem that I've found is to round the tenons (assuming that it is not a through tenon). A tenon can be quickly rounded with a section of an 80 grit sanding belt, 12" or so long. Just use the paper like a shoeshine cloth.

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