Thread: Jet Bench Chisel Mortiser

I have the smallest Jet mortiser, along with a set of Jet chisels. They were probably sharp enough to use out of the box, but I gave them a light hone on the outside before using them the first time. They have had a reasonable amount of use for a hobbyist in both hard and softwoods and seem to hold their edge quite well. Probably on a par with say blue chip chisels or a bit better, they do the job adequately if looked after.

John.

Did a god google search on the subject of "new" hollow chisels
Just like any (hand) chisel you buy - you have to sharpen it before you use it.
Seems hollow chisels are no exception
cheers
Jedo

Looks like I'll have another thing to learn - sharpening those chisels! Thanks for the help.
Ron

Ron, don't despair! Have used my JET for a couple of years now and it is a good solid little machine that does a good job. I modified mine as shown in an earlier thread to include a 2 axis machinist vise which overcomes the workpiece holding problem of all of these small mortise presses.
With regard to the hollow chisels you can get them from a few sheckles for a set of 5 to very expensive individual chisels. All of them however need some degree of 'sharpening' and I've found that just polishing the 4 outer faces with a fine water stone is enough to get started. If you have expensive chisels then it is worth getting a conical dresser to do the inside faces BUT if you have cheapies chuck them away when it gets to that stage. Enjoy ....
Fletty

Good on you Fletty! Appreciate the information from you knowledgeable blokes. I'll be looking around for a suitable vice - as well!

Originally Posted by RIMP

Anyone used these? Saw another thread that one brand needed the chisels sharpened straight up. What is the Jet like? To use?
Ron

Hi Ron,

I also have one of these and find it a great little tool, I have had mine for a couple of years now. I also got the set of jet chisels and have cut a number of mortices in mainly Jarrah so far. I polished the outsides of the chisels when I first got them on my water stones and that is all. I haven't had to do anything else.

I have a set of holes drilled in both the left and right hand side of my bench so I can move it if need be.

I would like to add the additional vice as mentioned by Fletty. Will get around to it one day. The clamp is my only gripe about the tool, POS.

Cheers,

Buz.