Shopsmith mortising pkg??

[Gene Howe]

Been considering this pkg but, after reading the reviews, I'm not so sure. It seems every reviewer was disgusted with the chisels. Either wouldn't cut or, when it did, dulled quickly.All reviews were since 2011 and most seemed to think the older chisels were much better.
Anybody here have any experience with the new chisels?
I was considering just buying everything except the chisels but it doesn't appear that you can buy the drill bit separately.

[Gene Howe]

Bump once

[algale]

Gene, I was considering pulling the trigger on the latest special because it was a heavy discount but I had the same concerns as you based on the reviews.

One of the things I noticed when I read the fine print is that it appears the pre-1990 chisels are ground to different angles than the current set. I conclude this because Shopsmith sells different sharpening stones for pre-1990 and post-1990 chisels.

By memory, the new sharpening stone is 50 degrees for all three chisels. For the pre-1990 set, Shopsmith actually sells different sharpening stones: a 41 degree stone for the 1/4 and 3/8ths chisels and a 46.5 degree stone for the 1/2 chisel.

I'm not knowledgeable enough about sharpening angles to know whether this change in chisel angle might make the new chisels better or worse. But it is a clear difference and food for thought.

[JPG]

. . .

By memory, the new sharpening stone is 50 degrees for all three chisels. For the pre-1990 set, Shopsmith actually sells different sharpening stones: a 41 degree stone for the 1/4 and 3/8ths chisels and a 46.5 degree stone for the 1/2 chisel.

. . .

I did not realize that!

Is it possible to 'regrind' the chisels using the 'old' stones?

IIUC the narrower angle should cut better.





HMMMM wonder what 'angle' the my e-bay stones are.

[Gene Howe]

Thanks for the info, Al.
I might just buy the kit minus the bits and chisels. The next step would be to find out which sellers bits and chisels would work with the Shopsmith kit. Apparently, they vary widely.

JPG, what I took from the reviews was that the steel was substandard. Of course, improperly ground chisels would seem like dull ones. But one guy said he managed to get his sharp, only to have them dull after a few cuts. The rest just said the SS set wouldn't cut soft pine.

[reible]

I have the old set so I can not advise on what the newer version is like.

I was quite disappointed on my first use.

I would expect they suffer from much of the same issues the older ones had. The outsides are not as smooth as I felt they needed to be so I polished them up. Keep in mind not to take off much material, that is as you know the hole diameter. You also need to do this after you sharpen then to remove the burr.

Yes they came with two stones, and I felt it worth sharpening after that first use, which improved my second use. Were I to do it again both things would happen before they even touched wood.

I was also taught that cutting can be made easier by relieving the inside corners on the chisels. Some debate on its value but I can notice an improvement.

The biggest problem was the stability of the shopsmith. What turned out to be the biggest issue was table flex. Once I had observed what was happening it became clear the the table needed more support. My solution was a length of 2x4 with a notch that would fit the table edge placed vertically under the tables outer side(to the floor). I would lower the table on to the 2x4 and lock it in position. Once the table was stable things improved a lot.

It still takes a good deal of force to make the cuts. Back then I didn't mind but I soon switched to a router anyway. I don't often use the attachment now, but will be pulling it out to try using it to clean up the ends of router made cuts on my sliding table.

I might also point out that if I were to start using my system I would look at these for improved performance.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 53317&ap=1

They are not cheap. I might even order just the 3/8" one to check them out someday. I think there might be free shipping on for orders over $40 still on, used that last week for some hardware from them.

Ed

[JPG]

I have the old set so I can not advise on what the newer version is like.

I was quite disappointed on my first use.

I would expect they suffer from much of the same issues the older ones had. The outsides are not as smooth as I felt they needed to be so I polished them up. Keep in mind not to take off much material, that is as you know the hole diameter. You also need to do this after you sharpen then to remove the burr.

Yes they came with two stones, and I felt it worth sharpening after that first use, which improved my second use. Were I to do it again both things would happen before they even touched wood.

I was also taught that cutting can be made easier by relieving the inside corners on the chisels. Some debate on its value but I can notice an improvement.

The biggest problem was the stability of the shopsmith. What turned out to be the biggest issue was table flex. Once I had observed what was happening it became clear the the table needed more support. My solution was a length of 2x4 with a notch that would fit the table edge placed vertically under the tables outer side(to the floor). I would lower the table on to the 2x4 and lock it in position. Once the table was stable things improved a lot.

It still takes a good deal of force to make the cuts. Back then I didn't mind but I soon switched to a router anyway. I don't often use the attachment now, but will be pulling it out to try using it to clean up the ends of router made cuts on my sliding table.

I might also point out that if I were to start using my system I would look at these for improved performance.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 53317&ap=1

They are not cheap. I might even order just the 3/8" one to check them out someday. I think there might be free shipping on for orders over $40 still on, used that last week for some hardware from them.

Ed

Well the chisel shank is the correct size! Not so for some others.

[forrestb]

Funny, after 3 days trying to get the Shopsmith chisels sharp enough to cut wood [ ] I decided the Lee Valley chisels were cheaper than the time I was having to spend on Shopsmith - so they are on order.

I have never used my Shopsmith for mortising, but the project I am working on will not allow safe use of my handheld router and won't fit the drill press. I will be mortising end grain on some four foot long boards.

My Shopsmith in the horizontal boring mode is the only safe way to do this - I THINK.

Forrest

[reible]

It has been a while since I was involved with the system but I did add a 5/16" size to my collection. I don' think it was from shopsmith but perhaps I got it at one of their stores. I'll check to be sure but I believe it was for a delta.

They have to be 5/8" to fit the chisel holder, the bit mostly vary by length and they can/must be cut if they are too long.

I did check the "free shipping" and it is still good for a few days. I'm still thinking about ordering at least one size to try out.... budget says no but its only just over $40.....

Ed

[Gene Howe]

Well, after much online research and lots of inner debate, and consultations with the war dept., I pulled the trigger on the Delta stand alone hollow chisel mortise machine.
With 72 ea. 1/2" mortises, 2" wide and some 2.5 " deep, a machine of kind became necessary.
Thank you all for your replies.