Morso Chopper Question

French Framer

Grumbler in Training
Joined
May 29, 2003
Posts
2
Loc
Canada
I need some help, if anyone out there can help me with my Morse Chopper. I can't seem to get a perfect 45 degree cut from it. I have sharpened the blades and moved the fences ever so slightly, but still, it doesn't give me a perfect cut. Can I do any adjustments to the blades themself or the chopper for that matter? Please advise this frustrated French Framer. :confused:
 
Ok this is just the way I do it nothing special. When i put the sharpened blades back on I only tighten the center screws. I get them in fairly tight, then I put the highest screws in while trying to keep the blades level. I will then put the bottom screws in and tighten it up along with the center screws. I always test it on scrap before trying to chop a frame, for some reason I always go back and retighten everything.
I have no clue if that helps, if not have an assistant do it. Maybe you are over thinking it???
dennis
 
some factors I have found to affect the "apparent" squareness of my chopper:
if the issue arrises after sharpening its probably the sharpening/honing

hardwood movesaway from blade when cut -hold tighter,or sharpen blade
fence is out
lower blades /breaks need removal and cleaning
the bite adjustment lever is woren out and doesnt lock into place alowing the blades to travel backwards against the pressure

good luck
 
French Framer. Can you elaborate a bit more.. How do you know that the Morso is not cutting at 45 degrees.. Are you finding this out when you pin the pieces together. If so where is the gap. At the outside of the frame or the inside of the frame.
One thing to check on the Morso. Make sure the mating surfaces between the blade and the blade back plate is clean. ie no debris and also that there is no burring around the bolt holes. This could cause the blade(s) to rock on the cutting stroke.
 
Also, don't forget to use a long metal carpenters square or level (48" or longer) to assure the adjuctable backstops are in alignment. There should be no gaps between the straight edge and the backstops at any point.
You could also use a 4"-5" strip of mat board to cut a sample. This will place less strain on the cutter to see if it is the cutter, the moulding or the operator who needs adjustment.
 
Also, don't forget to use a long metal carpenters square or level (48" or longer) to assure the adjuctable backstops are in alignment. There should be no gaps between the straight edge and the backstops at any point.
This is the most crucial!

When both fences are aligned, it will not matter if both are not exactly 45º from the blades! If you get, say, 47º on the left cut, you will necessarily get 43º on the right. When the corners are joined they will still be 90º.

If you have eliminated warped moulding, the fences are most likely the problem
 
Thank you to all who gave me all the advise on my chopper blades!! I will try all of your suggestions. Happy Framing.
French Framer
 
No matter how hard I held down the moulding, I also was getting a gap... (years of pounding on a keyboard has made my wrists a little weak)

I purchased a pair of clamps at Home Depot (about $20). They are called 'Quick Grip' (by the makers of 'Vice Grip'. I use one to hold the moulding down on one side of the blades and the other to hold the moulding in.

I get a perfect chop now.
Hope this helps.
 
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