« back to Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories forum
Forum topic by Sondog | posted 04-17-2013 09:42 AM | 1749 views | 0 times favorited | 17 replies | ![]() |
![]() |
04-17-2013 09:42 AM |
I am in the process of purchasing a Mortising Machine. Can anyone tell me if the Steel City machine is made in the USA? If not can anyone tell me does the USA manufacture this type of machine? Thanks for all of your help. Sonny |
17 replies so far
#1 posted 04-17-2013 01:28 PM |
Sonny, are you thinking square chisel bench top machines? 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" |
#2 posted 04-17-2013 01:54 PM |
The Steel City I have was made in Taiwan, which I think is better than the other place :) I love the heck out of it. As far as others made in the US, good luck with that. |
#3 posted 04-17-2013 03:40 PM |
I think if you want a USA made hollow chisel mortiser, |
#4 posted 04-17-2013 05:22 PM |
Made in NA ? Is anything still made here ?? -- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe"" |
#5 posted 04-17-2013 05:54 PM |
I would NOT recommend Jet. The hold down doesn’t work. -- Rich, Seattle, WA |
#6 posted 04-17-2013 05:57 PM |
Rich is right … the Jet JBM-5 benchtop machine’s hold-down sucks. I think General was manufacturing mortisers in Canada until recently … General International machines are Asian. -- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!" |
#7 posted 04-17-2013 07:49 PM |
What makes a good hold down? Could the Jet be modified? I have the Jet and I like it because the motor is 1725; all the others I looked at were faster. The lower speed seemed wise given the steel – to – steel possibilities in the bits. 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" |
#8 posted 04-17-2013 07:52 PM |
The Delta is okay. I have replaced a few parts on it, and it continues to chug along. When it needs to be replaced I would look at WoodRiver and Powermatic. -- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush |
#9 posted 04-17-2013 07:53 PM |
Arent Powermatics all still made in the good ol’USA? It’s what I would get if I can find a used one. Gotta love the long handle and nice fence adjustments… -- JC Garcia, Concord, CA : "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission..." |
#10 posted 04-17-2013 08:05 PM |
I don’t think so. Powermatic was sold to WMH about a decade back. As |
#11 posted 04-17-2013 08:42 PM |
Lee—Yes, the Jet JBM-5 can be modified by adding a cross-slide vise, reversing the column on the machine, and adding a platform to raise the machine enough to clear the cross-slide vise. You also need to modify the cross-slide vise by drilling/tapping holes to move the handle of the jaw to the opposite side. I haven’t done this to mine, but this fellow has: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6zvlk/id12.html -- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!" |
#12 posted 04-17-2013 09:41 PM |
I have a jet and don’t have a hold down issue but I can tell that it is sort of a Mickey Mouse machine as most bench top models are. If I had the need to use it often I would go with a floor model for sure. |
#13 posted 04-17-2013 10:07 PM |
The best you’ll get is “assembled in the USA” A good percentage of all the parts and sub assemblies can be made elsewhere and still be considered “made in the USA” as long as final assembly takes place here. I assume that de notion will be further watered down in the future. |
#14 posted 04-17-2013 10:23 PM |
If and when it makes business sense to build light industrial My advice to anybody is buy used machinery and a lot |
#15 posted 04-17-2013 11:47 PM |
It is not a mortising machine, but the Mortise-Pal is made in the USA. San Diego, to be specific. I have a Jet benchtop model and agree with others that the hold down is less than perfect to say the least. The Mortise-Pal is a joy to use and produces accurate mortises quickly. Here is a review that goes into it way more than I ever would. I will say that my very first attempt at making a mortise with the Mortise-Pal turned out perfectly. I would buy it again if I lost this one. FWIW -- Art |
Have your say...
You must be signed in to reply.
|
Forum | Topics |
---|---|
Woodworking Skill Share
|
12035 |
Woodturning
|
2108 |
Woodcarving
|
431 |
Scrollsawing
|
340 |
Joinery
|
1372 |
Finishing
|
4909 |
Designing Woodworking Projects
|
6697 |
Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
|
28075 |
CNC Woodworking
|
212 |
Hand Tools
|
5413 |
Jigs & Fixtures
|
1421 |
Wood & Lumber
|
6236 |
Safety in the Woodworking Shop
|
1388 |
Focus on the Workspace
|
2154 |
Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
|
1187 |
Woodworking Trade & Swap
|
4759 |
LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
|
2201 |
Coffee Lounge
|
8847 |