Morticer Accessories

About Morticer Accessories

Morticer accessories are essential components and consumables designed to enhance the performance, accuracy, and versatility of bench morticing machines and hollow chisel mortisers. These specialised accessories enable woodworkers, joiners, and furniture makers to create precise square or rectangular mortises in timber for traditional joinery applications. The range of accessories available at Tooled-Up.com includes mortice chisels in various sizes, auger bits, hold-down clamps, depth stops, and replacement components that ensure your morticing equipment operates at peak efficiency.

Investing in quality morticer accessories is fundamental to achieving clean, accurate mortises with minimal tearout and maximum efficiency. Professional-grade mortice chisels, manufactured from high-speed steel or hardened tool steel, maintain their cutting edges longer and produce superior results compared to budget alternatives. Whether you're cutting mortises for traditional timber frame construction, cabinet making, or door and window joinery, having the correct accessories ensures your morticing machine delivers consistent, professional results across hardwoods and softwoods alike.

The selection at Tooled-Up includes accessories compatible with popular brands such as Makita, DeWalt, and other leading manufacturers, ensuring tradespeople can find the precise components needed for their specific morticing equipment. From replacement chisels and bits to specialist jigs and fences, these accessories transform standard morticing machines into versatile precision tools capable of handling demanding professional applications.

Jargon Buster

Hollow Chisel Mortiser

A specialised woodworking machine that cuts square or rectangular holes (mortises) using a combination of a square hollow chisel and an internal auger bit that rotates to remove waste material.

Mortice Chisel

A square, hollow chisel with sharpened cutting edges that forms the outer walls of the mortise whilst the internal auger removes the waste timber. Available in various sizes from 6mm to 25mm or larger.

Auger Bit

The rotating drill bit that fits inside the hollow chisel and bores out the majority of waste material, with the chisel following behind to square off the hole.

Chisel-to-Bit Clearance

The critical gap between the auger bit and the inside of the hollow chisel, typically 1-1.5mm, which allows chips to evacuate whilst preventing binding and overheating.

HSS (High-Speed Steel)

A hardened alloy steel used for manufacturing mortice chisels and bits, offering excellent wear resistance and the ability to maintain sharp cutting edges even when working with hardwoods.

Hold-Down/Hold-Down Clamp

A clamping mechanism that secures the workpiece firmly to the mortiser table, preventing movement during the cutting operation and ensuring accurate, safe mortising.

Who Uses Morticer Accessories?

• Joiners and Cabinet Makers – Creating traditional mortise and tenon joints for furniture construction, fitted cabinetry, and bespoke joinery projects
• Carpenters and Timber Framers – Cutting mortises for structural timber frames, traditional oak framing, and heavy construction joinery
• Door and Window Manufacturers – Producing mortises for locks, hinges, and traditional joinery in wooden doors and window frames
• Furniture Restorers – Replicating traditional joinery techniques when restoring antique and period furniture pieces
• Shopfitters and Specialist Joiners – Creating custom mortises for retail fixtures, display units, and commercial joinery installations
• Educational Institutions – Teaching traditional woodworking techniques in colleges, technical schools, and apprenticeship programmes
• Serious DIY Enthusiasts and Hobbyist Woodworkers – Undertaking advanced woodworking projects requiring traditional joinery methods

How to Choose the Right Morticer Accessories

Chisel Size and Application: Select mortice chisel sizes based on your typical joinery work. Common sizes include 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 16mm, with larger 19mm and 25mm chisels for heavy-duty applications. Match the chisel size to your tenon dimensions, allowing approximately 3-4mm of material either side of the mortise for structural integrity.

Material Quality: Professional-grade HSS (High-Speed Steel) chisels offer superior durability and edge retention compared to standard carbon steel versions. For production environments or regular use with hardwoods, investing in premium chisels reduces downtime for sharpening and replacement whilst delivering cleaner cuts.

Compatibility: Ensure all accessories are compatible with your specific mortising machine model. Chisel shanks come in different diameters (typically 13mm, 16mm, or 19mm), and auger bits must match both the chisel bore and the machine's chuck capacity. Tooled-Up stocks accessories suitable for popular brands including Makita, DeWalt, and other professional morticing equipment.

Complete Sets vs Individual Components: Starter sets containing multiple chisel sizes with matched auger bits offer excellent value for workshops requiring versatility, whilst individual replacements allow you to stock up on frequently-used sizes or replace worn components economically.

Sharpening and Maintenance Requirements: Consider accessories that can be easily sharpened and maintained. Some professional chisels feature replaceable cutting heads or specific grinding angles that simplify maintenance and extend service life.

Popular Accessories

• Mortice Chisel Sets – Multi-size sets providing comprehensive coverage for various mortising applications
• Individual Mortice Chisels – Replacement or specialist chisels in specific sizes from 6mm to 25mm
• Matched Auger Bits – Precision-ground bits designed to work with specific chisel sizes
• Hold-Down Clamps and Fences – Securing workpieces for accurate, safe mortising operations
• Depth Stops and Gauges – Ensuring consistent mortise depth across multiple components
• Chisel Sharpening Stones and Files – Maintaining optimal cutting performance between professional sharpening services
• Machine Oil and Lubricants – Reducing friction and heat build-up during extended mortising sessions
• Replacement Bushings and Bearings – Maintaining smooth operation and extending machine life

Safety Information

Operating morticing equipment requires strict adherence to safety protocols. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment including safety glasses or face shields to protect against flying chips, and hearing protection when running mortisers for extended periods. Ensure workpieces are securely clamped before commencing operations – never attempt to hand-hold timber whilst mortising.

Disconnect the machine from the 240v mains supply before changing chisels, bits, or performing any maintenance. Allow chisels and auger bits to cool completely after use, as friction generates significant heat during cutting operations. Check chisel-to-bit clearance regularly, as insufficient clearance causes binding, overheating, and potential breakage of components.

Keep hands clear of the chisel area during operation, using push sticks or hold-downs to position workpieces. Ensure adequate lighting and a clean work area free from tripping hazards. Follow HSE guidelines for woodworking machinery, and ensure appropriate dust extraction is connected to minimise airborne particles. Regularly inspect chisels and bits for cracks, chips, or excessive wear, replacing damaged components immediately to prevent accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should mortice chisels be sharpened?

Professional chisels typically require sharpening after 50-100 mortises in hardwood, or when you notice increased resistance, burning, or ragged edges on mortises. Softwood allows more cuts between sharpenings. Regular honing maintains performance and prevents the need for aggressive grinding that reduces chisel life.

Can I use mortice chisels from different manufacturers interchangeably?

Whilst many mortice chisels follow standardised dimensions, compatibility depends on shank diameter and your machine's specifications. Always verify chisel shank diameter (commonly 13mm, 16mm, or 19mm) matches your mortiser's chuck capacity, and ensure auger bits are properly matched to the chisel bore for correct clearance.

Why does my chisel burn or stick during mortising?

Burning and sticking typically result from insufficient chisel-to-bit clearance, blunt cutting edges, or incorrect feed speed. Check the auger bit protrudes 2-3mm beyond the chisel tip, ensure both components are sharp, and reduce feed pressure to allow waste to evacuate. Applying specialist mortising wax can also reduce friction.

What's the maximum depth I can mortise in a single plunge?

This depends on chisel size and timber species, but generally limit plunge depth to 25-30mm in hardwoods and 40-50mm in softwoods. Deeper mortises should be cut in multiple passes, retracting the chisel to clear waste chips between plunges to prevent binding and overheating.

Do I need different chisels for hardwood versus softwood?

The same quality HSS chisels work effectively in both hardwoods and softwoods. However, hardwood demands sharper edges and more frequent maintenance, whilst softwood can be more forgiving of slightly duller chisels but may produce more tearout if edges aren't properly honed.