In their instructions, they say to cut in multiple passes, about 1/2 the diameter of the bit in each pass, i.e., 1/8" at a time for a 1/4" bit.   I was thinking, "Should I buy a 3/8" bit too?"    Then I said to myself, "Duh!  I can just offset the bit and cut from both sides. or adjust the fence."

1 minute ago, kmealy said:

I was thinking, "Should I buy a 3/8" bit too?"    Then I said to myself, "Duh!  I can just offset the bit and cut from both sides. or adjust the fence."

Yeah but, you won't have a 3/8" bit should you never need it. Besides you can combine shipping costs getting both on the same order...then you don't have to worry about offsetting and making multiple extra passes to get 3/8" mortise....just sayin'

21 minutes ago, kmealy said:

I was thinking, "Should I buy a 3/8" bit too?"    Then I said to myself, "Duh!  I can just offset the bit and cut from both sides. or adjust the fence."

 

the bit can walk/drift/flex depending on the grain...

Edited September 18, 20178 yr by Stick486

So, you guys just want me to spend more money do you?   Thanks for the help.

 

MLCS has free standard shipping all the time.

MLCS? Hope you don't have too many mortises to cut. Don't get me wrong, I've got several of their bits. But, they do dull rapidly. Spend the few bucks and get a Freud or one of similar, or better, quality. 

hard to beat the Freud...

Ugh now you tell me.   They have two lines and the one I got is from the upper line, Katana, if that makes any difference.   Next time.

33 minutes ago, kmealy said:

Ugh now you tell me.   They have two lines and the one I got is from the upper line, Katana, if that makes any difference.   Next time.

They are a bit better.

7 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

They are a bit better.

 

sorta...