What Hollow Chisel Mortiser Do you like and Why?

Willie, sorry to hear about your difficulties with the Delta. I have the same unit, and it’s worked well so far, no mechanical issues. I’ve only had it a year, but I do use it a lot. Actually, I use it enough I’m starting to think about replacing it, also with a floor standing model. My big gripe is in work holding and setting the fence. The benchtop models all seem to have pretty poor system to hold the work steady and for setting the fence with any precision. Lots of trial and error setting up the cut, and a pain to do longer mortises. Oh, for a good X-Y table.

I would also be interested in hearing input on floor models. What are the good and bad point with the Powermatic, Laguna, General…

My other idea is adding a homemade x-y table.

-- John

I have the Powermatic 719T which is the floor model that has the tilting table. Its a very nice machine. Quite expensive for the number of times that I use it, but when I need it, its perfect. I like the table on it, it’s accurate, and its easy to change chisels etc. I have it on a mobile base so I can pull it out to use it.

I am just starting a hope chest that is all mortise & tenons so its going to get a workout shortly.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

I have the Delta (mod.# ?), but it’s the old Type II, bench top, and I’ve had it about 13-14 years…..not one single problem with it….Everything works just fine on it, and it’s not that hard to set up. About 2 years ago, I bought the table and fence that i have on it now from Rockler….Don’t know if they still make or carry it anymore, but it made a big difference in how the performs…..with the rollers pushed up next to the stock, but loose enough to slide the part, and the hold-down arm in place, it does the job….it was a big improvement….. here’s a pix of it ready to go…....!!!!!!!!!!

-- " Don't ever wrestle a pig in a mudhole....he'll be having more fun than you..!!

I have a Powermatic 719A floor model mortiser. It’s really just a beefed-up
benchtop mortiser on a welded steel cabinet. The clamp on the table
is considerably more robust than what you’ll find on most benchtop
models and I suppose the rest of the build is tougher and heavier too.

I bought it second-hand seeing a deal too good to pass up. I always
invest in heavier rather than lighter machinery and I very seldom buy new,
so my advice is if you want a big mortiser keep your eyes open and one
will crop up on the second-hand market sooner or later.

There are aspects to the Powermatic that would disappoint me if I
bought it new, but being the second owner I can’t complain.

I shopped these about ten years ago and ended up with the Jet (benchtop) because at the time all the others ran at 3450 and the Jet turns 1725. The result is less heat in the chisel-bit realm. Ergo sharper. Nice tool, robust, dependable.

Kindly,

Lee

-- "...in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms." --Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

Here’s one that looks like an ok deal: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/2764085043.html

It’s got some bells and whistles in the clamping department
but the casting arrangement looks pretty similar to my
WHM Powermatic.