LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Best low cost Mortise machine?

2K views 41 replies 18 participants last post by  CWWoodworking 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey LJ's.

Looking for your experiences with Low cost mortise machines.

Looking at what's available and the critiques and ratings I've become concerned.

Prices have gone up compared to routing jigs. And there are issues of quality?

This is a 90 pound average machine. And Grizzly seems to not be fairing well.

Found a Shopfox (new) not from Shopfox on Ebay. ( been having some problems with recent Ebay purchases. )

Sooooooooo!

Looking for recommendations from experienced users? LJ's have been my go to advisers.

Thanks
!
 
#4 ·
I started with a Delta benchtop, and it made a lot of mortises for me, but in the end didn't hold up well.

I switched to a Jet floor model and have been very pleased. Even the same hollow chisels worked better in the floor model and cut cleaner holes.

If I were to limit myself to a benchtop unit, I'd be looking at the Powermatic and not much else.

Good luck in your search!
 
#7 ·
Around these parts the General is the best opition, the Rikon maybe for hoby use? I keep wanting to buy one but really can not justify the cost verse limited use? Never know the right deal may show up:) Till then the pig sticker stays busy.
 
#9 ·
You likely won't see a lot of love for the Harbor Freight benchtop mortiser, but I look at them differently than most. I see them as a lever that you pull down to get the important part of the system, the extra sharp chisel, and pretty sharp bit down, and into the board you are mortising. Broken down into the smallest variable, that is pretty much all they are.

I have used a PM, and yes they have "gadgets" down to a science, and the options are good. BUT, they cost soooo much $$$$$$$$

The thing to know here is the HF bit/chisels are absolute JUNK, so you do have to spring for a really good set in the sizes you need for your work. Or just buy the sets as you need different sizes.

For them I'm going to suggest the Fisch.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/fish-premium-mortise-chisel-bit.aspx

If you are going to be working with 3/4" stock, just get the 3/8" set. And yes on my cheap HF mortiser I can punch out great mortises as quickly as someone with a 600 dollah PM. Along with the Fisch set, just get a good flat plate diamond stone (fine), and a set of those bell shaped honing cones for getting the inside of the mortise bit nice and sharp, because the sharp chisels is the thing you do need. Absolutely.

Lee Valley sells the best cones I have used. Drill press mounted.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/sharpening/files-and-hones/100265-large-cone-sharpeners-for-premium-hollow-mortise-chisels-and-bits?item=77J8122
 
#11 ·
I have the Rikon with the X-Y table, and it's not bad after dialing it in, with sharp/honed chisels. It's nice to be able to lock the piece down and then start cutting the mortise with just a handwheel.

The X-Y table isn't the most user friendly, as you have to readjust various settings based on the width and height of the piece using hex keys. But once you understand how it works it's fairly quick to set up, and you can bash out mortises very fast.
 
#13 ·
Making LOTS of Stickley spindle side Morris chairs, tables, beds and ottomans, I switched to a HF bench top. That lasted about a week. I went all in with a PM dedicated mortise, XY tables and solid clamp system. It is heavy, sturdy and does the job. The hold down feature and the XY table are nice. My gripe is that the cabinet floor model is NOT a working height. So, you either sit at an uncomfortable height or stand at a really uncomfortable position. And, you will need to get up and down to adjust stock and set the mortise. If I had space I would take the PM off the cabinet and mount it to a bench. Sadly, not enough space to do that. I agree with the sharp chisels. A wise person once told me and continues to tell me: Spend the most on what you use the most. I used the PM mortise LOTS so it was one of the few higher cost purchases. Best.
 
#17 ·
AlaskGuy,

When I first decided I wanted a mortiser it was many years ago. I'm now back to production mode but funds are limited.

The experience of LJ's has helped decision making. sometimes there are true gems and other times not.

I'm appreciative of all who share their knowledge. good and bad.
 
#21 ·
All of the cheap ones I've used were close to worthless I have two, one is a floor model that I would never recommend because of who sells it and the Rikon X/Y mortiser ,of all of them I've used I like it best , but I've never used powermatic and a number of others. The Rikon is only cheap when you compare it with machines like Powermatic.
 
#26 ·
I have also gotten good results with the Rikon X/Y table, and Woodcraft has all their Rikon stuff at 15% off right now. That saves $67 on the mortiser. If you're going to buy it, might as well spend a little less.
That said, Powermatic is not just about gadgets. The PM motor is 3/4 HP and the Rikon motor is only 1/2 HP. I used a borrowed PM for an entire day and never jammed it once. I jam up the Rikon all the time if I'm not careful.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top