Mortiser Machine Help

AJ;

We have the Woodriver and it works very well. We can recomend it. It is same as the Steel City.

Good luck!

-- Rick Gustafson - Lost Creek Ranch - Colorado County, Texas

Thanks! I haven’t looked at the steel city one yet, thanks for the comment!

AJ

-- If I can do it.....so can you! -AJswoodshop

I’ve owned a Delta and a Laguna tilting head I would recommend the the delta. You might also look at shop fox and Grizzly.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

I picked the delta after looking at the reviews in 2 different magazines, it wasn’t the best but the two that made the best in both were a lot more money and it received favorable reviews overall from both tests as being a solid value and sturdy. The only thing with it is take the plastic bit holder that screws to the back and put it somewhere far from the mortiser, the thing is a really bad idea. I went to add in the riser block one time which involves removing the 4 bolts that hold it too the table at which point the mortiser immediately tipped over and in my impulse grab to stop it I put a mortise chisel into the palm of my hand. Never dawned on me I wouldn’t be safe with them in their holder or that the machine is so forward heavy that it would tip that fast once unbolted. I’ve also scraped my hand on them reaching back to get one out because they’re so clumped together and high up being on the tool. Just keep the chisels in a box or a roll.

-- --Rev. Russ in NY-- A posse ad esse

I have a Delta. Only one I have owned and it makes me happy. About all I can say about it. Look at CPO. they sell tools that have been refurbished but are like new and Mine works well.

I have a Jet for sale. It was only used by a limitless old lady every sixth Saturday of the month!

Honestly, I want to sell my Jet mortise machine. It needs at least one new chisel, there are three total. I don’t use it enough to have it take up space in my shop/garage!

Let me know if you are interested and I can post some pictures!

-- "I never met a board I didn't like!"

Wood magazine recently did a comparison. Grizzly was the best value and powermatic highest rated (and most expensive). Each had its pro’s and cons.

-- Crashn - the only thing I make more of than sawdust is mistakes

I’ve got the Delta, and it works fine. I think work holding is an issue with all the benchtop machines; I’d love to have a floor model, but can’t justify the expense.

Another option to consider is a horizontal slot mortiser. You don’t need special bits and it’s faster to cut mortises, but you have to square up the corners or round the tenon. There are a bunch or build you own plans out there like this one http://www.gregorypaolini.com/WWPlans/3asm/3asm.htm

-- John

Mortises can be also made w/ router, that is what I use.

-- Bondo Gaposis

I have an old delta mortiser, the one that Norm uses on the new yankee work shop.
It works great! I got it on ebay for $60.00 If you can find one, its worth it.
-Matthew

Thanks guys for the information, the grizzly and delta sound really good too. Thanks!

AJ

-- If I can do it.....so can you! -AJswoodshop

I found a Delta in great condition on Craigslist. If I were buying new I would strongly consider the Shop Fox also. It has more power than most benchtops.

-- "Measure twice, cut once, count fingers"

Shop Fox has worked well for me. No exposure to others.

I’ve got the JET but I almost never use it. I liked the Powermatic much more but I felt like I couldn’t justify the price. Turns out I couldn’t, right? I found it to be a quality machine for a cheap price but the stock chisels are junk. I used them to play around, then bought some good ones for real work. I’ve heard good things about the Delta.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Bertha-Yeah I know, for a mortising machine $470 is way to much for me. The most I want to spend is about $350. Thanks for the comments guys!

AJ

-- If I can do it.....so can you! -AJswoodshop