sharpen a hollow chisel mortiser bit

[mr_skittle]

I just ordered a 5/8 bit for my Delta 14-650 mortiser from Woodline here. I fully anticipate that it will need some honing before use but I'm having trouble figuring how to get the inside corners sharpened. I know you can get the cone set for this job but most I've found only recommend using on chisels up to 1/2 inch. There is a set at Lee Valley that can sharpen larger sizes but it says they are specifically designed to use with their bits. This brings up a point that an Amazon reviewer had that there's no telling the angle of the chisel or the sharpener. What's a guy to do to get an economy priced chisel bit ready for use? Has anybody ever found a bit for a rotary tool that could work? Is there an easy method of sharpening one without the cones?

[Timberwolf]

I just ordered a 5/8 bit for my Delta 14-650 mortiser from Woodline here. I fully anticipate that it will need some honing before use but I'm having trouble figuring how to get the inside corners sharpened. I know you can get the cone set for this job but most I've found only recommend using on chisels up to 1/2 inch. There is a set at Lee Valley that can sharpen larger sizes but it says they are specifically designed to use with their bits. This brings up a point that an Amazon reviewer had that there's no telling the angle of the chisel or the sharpener. What's a guy to do to get an economy priced chisel bit ready for use? Has anybody ever found a bit for a rotary tool that could work? Is there an easy method of sharpening one without the cones?

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One of the tapered stones from Amazon should work fine..chuck stone in your drill press and set it on high speed...clamp the chisel vertically in a vise...grind a little at a time...You can alter the angle of the stone if need be, using a diamond dressing tool. The stones come in various sizes..

[mr_skittle]

Are you talking about one of these? Link  Any recommendations?

[Timberwolf]

Are you talking about one of these? Link  Any recommendations?

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No....I'm talking about grinding stones for a die grinder...check amazon for "tapered grinding stones."..

[WilliamHodge]

I just ordered a 5/8 bit for my Delta 14-650 mortiser from Woodline here. I fully anticipate that it will need some honing before use but I'm having trouble figuring how to get the inside corners sharpened. I know you can get the cone set for this job but most I've found only recommend using on chisels up to 1/2 inch. There is a set at Lee Valley that can sharpen larger sizes but it says they are specifically designed to use with their bits. This brings up a point that an Amazon reviewer had that there's no telling the angle of the chisel or the sharpener. What's a guy to do to get an economy priced chisel bit ready for use? Has anybody ever found a bit for a rotary tool that could work? Is there an easy method of sharpening one without the cones?

I use soft cone shaped stones, and dress them to the right angle with a grinding wheel dresser. The diamond cone shaped tools  don't seem to match many chisels.

[mr_skittle]

Thank you Timberwolf, I found what you were referring to. I'll have to do some digging to find the best ones. I noticed that most of them seemed to be a very coarse grit. I'm guessing that WilliamHodge is referring to the same thing. It would be great to take the chisel bit somewhere and try a few to get a good fit. Any idea what kind of store would carry a good selection of these cone stones?

[Bob Vaughan]

What's a guy to do to get an economy priced chisel bit ready for use? 

That's almost a contradiction in terms these days.

I've been struggling with mortising chisel sharpening for several decades.  I never did find anything satisfactory except a metal lathe rig with a carbide tipped boring bit.  Granted, its a little over the top, but it had gotten to be such a problem that I invested in some 5C collets with square holes.  I quickly found that the bits didn't all have the same angle so I have to do a little homework before setting up the compound to make the cut.

   

   

[The Tinman]

That's almost a contradiction in terms these days.

I've been struggling with mortising chisel sharpening for several decades.  I never did find anything satisfactory except a metal lathe rig with a carbide tipped boring bit.  Granted, its a little over the top, but it had gotten to be such a problem that I invested in some 5C collets with square holes.  I quickly found that the bits didn't all have the same angle so I have to do a little homework before setting up the compound to make the cut.
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I would like to know more about that fixture that the 5c collet is screwed into. It looks like something I need for doing similar operations on my lathe. The tool holder that the boring bar is mounted into looks interesting too. Is it something you made or bought?

[Timberwolf]

Thank you Timberwolf, I found what you were referring to. I'll have to do some digging to find the best ones. I noticed that most of them seemed to be a very coarse grit. I'm guessing that WilliamHodge is referring to the same thing. It would be great to take the chisel bit somewhere and try a few to get a good fit. Any idea what kind of store would carry a good selection of these cone stones?

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I would check with Shars, or McMasters...

[Kansas City Fireslayer]

I have no experience in this arena but my first thoughts are a wooden dowel, adhesive backed sandpaper and a fine touch by hand....