The Framers Forum

My second day with the Morso.
When I release the foot pressure on the treadle and the cutter block begins to rise, because of the strokes and the weakness in my left side, I can't keep the framing section flat on the machine bed. It seems worst when there is material on both sides of the blades, as it appears to jam on the return upwards. And if the small remnant twists as it rises, it breaks the long point of the mitre off.
Is this because the blades aren't sharp?
Or is it likely to be just because I don't have the strength in my left arm/hand to hold the section down? It's all small section material.
I'm not looking forward to using large section material
The blades seem sharp to me, but I have no experience of how sharp they should be.
I overcame the problem in the short term by rubbing a little candle wax onto the outside faces of the blades.
This seems to make them slide more easily

Any advice suggestions would be much appreciated

you need to learn the morso dance

in, down, out, up and repeat

Just before you allow the blades to rise back up, nudge the head back a touch using the transport knob with your right hand. Then bring the blades forward, down, back and up. Some call this the morso dance! Hope it helps

Aaahhhh.
Something else I've learned.
The Morso Dance.

I presume then, that this in not an uncommon occurrence for others too.

strokebloke. Hi! try getting some clamps for the morso - the trigger action things that you can get fron B&Q or similar work well - just clamp your work and take small bites out of the moulding. Its also worth adjusting the pedal height to make life easier.

Hey Jack. Very soon you will acquire your framer's legs. One will be thicker than the other and you will have to buy different sized socks for each leg.

Hello Strokebloke
I'm relatively new to this game and I learnt how to deal with this problem from others on the forum. I've found that there is an enormous pool of knowledge that you can tap by putting your problem into the search box - it's amazing what it throws up - hours of interesting reading.

Thank you all. I feel really inspired now
I'll certainly learn the Morso dance first ~ I thought my days of being frivolous were well behind me.
I do take small bites, but my left side's not really a lot of use (my right side is not brilliant either but that's for entirely different reasons)
Down - Back - Up - Forward - Down
Down - Back - Up - Forward - Down
Down - Back - Up - Forward - Down

I'll get the hang of it

Are there two screw holes on the sides of the green outer top of your Morso cast cutting head frame? If so you might benefit from adding the automatic rebate support arms that keep the supports in the forward position, given your left hand problems. There are quite a few entries on here,just enter rebate support on the search bit top right of screen here. I would suggest a phonecall to Neil Stout who will sort out a set for you. It is possible to attach them to older non pre-drilled Morsos but risky, so definitely wait until you have the new blades and are more used to the machine.

Auto rebate supports.

Now at least I know where to look for the fixing points. I don't think that my M/C has the two holes.
Certainly the candle wax on the face of the blades does make a significant difference. It's what bench joiners rub on the sole of their smoothing or block planes when finishing end grain on hardwoods ~ oak/elm etc
Also what is now clear is the the blades need sharpening. They're not bad, but could be better
Keeping the rebate supports in position is not the problem.
The problem is that I don't have the strength or feeling in my left arm/hand to keep the section flat onto the bed whilst the cutter block is rising. It's much more of a problem with short lengths than with long ones.

Sharp blades and learn the dance ~ that's the first step, I think

Remember if you are coming to the FATG meeting at Mainline Mouldings to bring your blades with you and get them returned post free i.e. you only pay for the sharpening.

have a look at the video on my webpage
http://www.thepictureframerml.co.uk
around :55 you will see me using the morso - it isn't meant as an instructional video but it will give you an idea.
Peter