Thread: felder mortiser

You actually dont live too far away. Felder NSW are in Russell Street, Emu Plains.

Never used the mortiser attachment so I can't help with the rest of your question.

Thanks Boban but felder at emu plains don't actually carry the bits in stock (I hope this isn't an indication of the popularity of the mortising unit!).

Andrew,

I used to own a Felder mortiser on my 6/31 - its well built and capable of reliable repeatable work; either for dowelling or mortising. Really, all it is a horizontal boring rig with X, Y and Z movement.

As far as cutters/bits go, use any sized spiral cutter bit normally used in the metal machining environment. I have used a number of different brands - CMT, Hanita, Melin, Onsrud, Leitz etc. All are good. Basically you get what you pay for.

Don't worry if Felder don't carry any of the bits, just go find yourself a decent engineering tool supplier, they'll have lots of different sizes in stock. Full carbide spiral bits are big $$, especially in Australia. I buy mine directly from the States and have them shipped out.

Richard

Originally Posted by andrewsd

Thanks Boban but felder at emu plains don't actually carry the bits in stock (I hope this isn't an indication of the popularity of the mortising unit!).

Hi Andrew:

I have several Felder machines which are top notch. A mate of mine has the mortising unit and it looks very well made. I know guys on the FOG (FELDER OWNER GROUP hosted by Yahoo USA) say it is pretty good although it cannot match the quality of a stand alone horizontal mortiser. I don't personally have the attachment.

Regarding Felder having things in stock; this is a common problem with the brand. They ought to keep more stock on the ground. But that is their policy. So it has nothing to do with whether the unit is popular or any good. I find that with anything Felder, although you have to wait for the machines and accessories to come from Austria, the quality makes the wait worth it.

Although there must be alternative brands in Australia, if you really wanted the Felder branded bits in a hurry, Felder do offer an airmail service, which for bits, would not cost much at all -- and you get the bits in a week or so rather than months. (That's been my experience anyway.)

Thanks Richard and Luckyduck.

I am very happy with the Felder 731c. It is an excellent machine and I thought the mortiser would be of the same standard (which I'm sure it is). Just having a bit of trouble getting the bits but, thanks to your advice, I now have some options.

Richard,

When you say "any size bit", does that mean that the actual diameter of the mortising bit is unimportant (because the felder table moves in 3 planes)? I

Richard,

1 What size bits do you generally buy?
2 Have you tried the Rotozip spiral bit, which only seems to come in one size?
3 What is the optimum diameter for the shaft of the bit? Does this matter?
4 Do you use up or down cut bits?

Thanks very much.

Andrew

The CMT bits from CarbaTec work well.

Bear in mind you need to buy the correct rotation bit - rotation is specified as being from the fan end (back) of the motor I think you'll need anticlockwise, but I'll leave it to you to make sure.

Cheers,

eddie

Richard,

Have had a look at the FelderUSA site and it offers right and left hand bits and a number of other different types of bits for the mortiser. Should I use left or right hand bits?

thanks eddie