Setting Up The Machine - Record Power BM16 Instruction Manual

8. Setting Up the Machine

General Notes
The mortise will generate a lot of 'grip' on the chisel, especially the first cut,
or if the timber is a little green. Make sure you use the table clamp assembly
to help control the timber during the raise operation of the morticer.
Setting the chisel Square
When the chisel is tightened in the machine it must normally be square to
the backfence (Pic 8). The easiest way to achieve this is to bring the headbox
down to bring the chisel as close to the table as possible, set a square
against the backfence and set the side of the chisel against the square. and
clamp tight. (Remember to have the chip ejection slot in the chisel to the side
from which you will cut the mortice).
Quick Setting of the Mortice Depth
Put a mark on an easily accessible end of the workpiece to be mortised, at
the depth you require. Pull the headbox down, and put the end of the timber
against the chisel, position the headbox so that the chisel points or the auger
point are at the depth required (Pic 8), raise the depth stop collar to the
underside of the headbox and tighten gently. Recheck the depth of the chisel
point, if it is satisfactory tighten securely, if not it can be gently 'nudged'
down the column with the headbox, then tighten. Reposition the operating
handle to give the most comfortable position and purchase on the lever, over
the full distance of the movement you have just set.
Headbox Rise Adjustment
Coupled with the depth stop on the same assembly is the head box rise
limiter. This limits the rise of the headbox / chisel to a convenient distance
above the work by the use of a locking collar positioned above the stop
finger on the side of the headbox (Pic 9). The travel of this assembly is then
restricted to your chosen setting rather than having to return it to the top
of the slide each time.
Work Clamp
Chisel
Table
Pic 7
Depth into
Workpiece
Workpiece
Pic 8
Head Box Rise Limiter
Stop Finger
Chisel
Pic 9
Locking
Collar
Locking
Collar