Chopper Blades Grab the Moulding

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Verdaccio

Verdaccio

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Posts
757
Loc
Berthoud, Colorado
Okay, thought I would post about this "little annoyance" on my chopper.

The annoyance is that after the downstroke, the front face of the blades will sometimes grab the moulding a drag it back up the fence with the blades as they come up. If find it most annoying as it can scratch the back of the stick if there are any stray chips (of even a micron in size). I have tried a spray lube like WD40 wiped off, but it only works for a few strokes before it gets...well, wiped off.

The only thing that works 95% of the time is if I really slam the pedal down on the chop "KUH-THUNK!" - blades come up without the moulding, but I wonder about slamming the spring like that long term.

Anyone found a good solution for this outside of buying a saw? :)
 
Is the blade binding on the cut moulding on the upstroke? I learned to move the blades back slightly after making the cut. That way there is no contact between the blade and moulding on the return stroke. I would avoid oiling the blade as the oil might negatively affect the glue joint.
You are nibbling the cut aren't you?
 
It used to annoy me, too, but I’ve gotten in the habit of “backing off” on the blades after each slice while the blades are still down. It also give me the opportunity adjust the rabbet supports if needed before I advance the blades for another swipe.
 
Yep, single step bites. I like the idea of a beeswax and will give it a try. :)
 
I always back the blade out a bit.....quick and easy.
 
Check your bolt heads.... the clearance is so close that even a slight burr can catch.

If it is the back-blade part of the blade, then two things to check.. see if the edge is folding... [a common problem of hollow ground blades] check by gently passing a extra-fine [0000] steelwool pad across the blade edge [from bolt holes to blade edge.... if an wool sticks or hooks... it's time to lap or send for re-sharpening.

The other problem [if all else checks out and the blade-backs are lapped to a polish...] is that the blades aren't "catching" on the fresh cut.... they are "sucking" the fresh cut. The cut is on such a tight grained wood, and so good that the blades can actually create a suction when recontacting the cut. Which is solved by merely stepping out the blades after the last cut.

But I'm betting on the dulling blades.
 
I'm with all the others on the backing the blade head out a scootch. After awhile, it's like doing a dance, you get a rythm going, and part of the coreography is pulling back on the handle a bit after each bite, even with brand-newly-sharpened blades.
 
Every one of the six Morso choppers I've had over the years has done the same thing. Like the others, I move that shifter-thingy to back the blades off the cut. Once you develop your "dance" as Val calls it, it's like tying your shoes.
 
Unless there was a clearance on the front of the blade, so that the actual cutting point was in front of the rest of the blade (like the set on the tooth of a saw blade) you will almost have to have drag on the way back up.

Ditto on the dance.

And ditto on not putting anything on the blades.
 
Well I started doing the dance yesterday and it works like a charm once you get the hang of it. My cuts are also better because I don't have to slam the thing down - makes for a more restful experience too!

Thanks everyone! :)
 
You know how it is, Rick.

The first one was very old and had been abused by a former owner; I didn't know what to look for or how to fix it, back then. Sold it when I bought the second one, which was newer and much better condition. The third one was for the second shop. Sold it when I consolidated back to one shop. Then I bought a saw and thought I wouldn't need a chopper anymore. Sold it. Wrong...so I bought the fourth one. The fifth one was an extra I bought from a framing friend who was desperate to sell out. Sold it. Then I got a better saw and really didn't need the chopper. Sold it. Then I sold the double miter saw, in favor of a double-single Phaedra and yet another chopper. The sixth one I'm using now has been here about three months, and it is the best one I've ever had. Between that and the two Delta's, I can cut better miters on more materials now than I ever could before.

Morso has always been my chopper brand, and I've never bought a new one.

I've always been a tool junkie. That's why I now have five wonderful point drivers, 10 miter vices (plus the old Barton adjustable), an extra 4466M-HS vacuum press, a stand for the newer design, and two really nice print bins.

If I ever retire from this business, I think I'll open a framing museum.




PS: I've only had five underpinners.
 
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