Replies

1. 
   FastEddie | Mar 01, 2008 05:22am | #1

   I bought a Jet tabletop model on sale several years ago.  It has to be set up accurately, and I find that the chisel drags on the side of the mortise badly, especially when 3 or 4 sides of the chisel are in contact with the wood.  I usually cut the mortise slighjtly undersize, then clean it up with hand chisels.  The fence seems to twist easily.  Overall I like the tool.

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   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   PlaningMill | Mar 01, 2008 05:32am | #2

   I first purchased the Delta bench top model and, while it was adequate, the motor eventually burned out.  I then paid about $1200 for the Woodtek floor model.  I like it, alot. 

   If all you are making is face frames for cabinets, etc. a bench top model will do.  If you're making full size doors, you'll need the floor model.

1. 
   PaulC | Mar 01, 2008 05:45am | #3

   Not to hijack too much, but if one already has a good drill press, is it worth considering just getting a morticing adapter?Amateurs talk strategy, Generals talk logistics.

1. 
   JulianTracy | Mar 01, 2008 05:50am | #4

   I've heard they are not that great, and these days, you can find new or newer benchtop Delta's for $150 or so - with chisels.JT

2. 
   alias | Mar 01, 2008 06:40am | #5

   I have the delta bench top mortiser for about ten years and started out with the delta mortising attachment for the drill press. The one for the the drill press is not very accurate . The dedicated bench tp or floor models in my opinion is the way to go. I 'm sure with tweaking the mortising attachment could be rendered accurate . But for the set up and go the dedicated is the way to go .....again IMHO

3. 
   mike_maines | Mar 02, 2008 07:35pm | #6

   If you're doing very light duty work the drillpress adapters should work.  Unless you're mandrel is undersized, in which case you will snap the cast iron adapter.  When you buy a replacement you'll break that one too.  (Guess how I know!)

   The benchtop Delta I've used has a LOT more leverage, so is better for medium-duty work.  I just made a solid mahogany entry door with it.  The throw is limited, my 4" stiles where right at the limit.

   I've never used a floor-mounted machine but they look substantially more rugged.  Kinda like a Unisaw vs. a jobsite tablesaw.

3. 
   ted | Mar 02, 2008 08:35pm | #7

   A couple of years ago we were looking for a Hollow Chisel Mortiser too. At the time we were going to get the General International floor model which is pretty similar to the benchtop model. It has a tilting head and is the heaviest machine in it's class. It's priced a bit higher than the other benchtop models. Just before we were ready to buy it we came across a used Multico brand (no longer sold in the U.S.) which is a very nice machine.

4. 
   Jointerman | Mar 06, 2008 10:22am | #8

   Have you checked out the General International mortisers. I've had the non-tilting head model (wasn't available when I bought mine) for several years and really like it. Its hold down was much beefier than the Delta or Jet benchtop models and only slightly more expensive.

5. 
   ChipTam | Mar 06, 2008 05:37pm | #9

   There are a lot of choices out there:  drill press ad-ons; bench tops, floor models, and slot mortisers.  Prices range from under $100 for a drill press attachment to several thousand for a slot mortiser.  I've got a 10 year-old Powermatic floor model.  I picked it up used for $500 and think they go for around $900 new.  It works well as a medium duty tool for making cabinet door frames and an occasional exterior door.  The clamping mechanism is superior to any of the bench-top models.  You might also want to ask your question over at "Knots".  They may provide some additional feedback.

   Chip 

1. 
   BossHog | Mar 06, 2008 05:52pm | #10

   I have one of the drill press add on thingies, and I think it works fine. It does take a while to set up, and that's sort of a pain. My drill press is a bigger floor model, and that probably makes a difference. I don't think it would work as well on a lightweight one.
   Q: When does a person decide to become an accountant?
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6. 
   Ragnar17 | Mar 06, 2008 07:24pm | #11

   I used to use a drill press attachment, and then splurged and bought myself a Powermatic mortiser (719, non tilting) about five years ago.  From using both setups, I can tell you that the dedicated mortiser is unquestionably easier, faster, and more accurate to use.  The xy table makes positioning very quick and accurate, the lever arm gives you lots of mechanical advantage to drive the chisel into the wood, and the built in, thread-driven clamp really keeps the workpiece in place.  (I was constantly having to fight to keep the workpiece down when retracting the chisel in the drill press setup).

   I really couldn't go back to the drill press set up again!

   Of course, it all comes at a price.  Powermatic's 719 Tilt mortiser usually runs about $900 now, and the non-tilt version seems to have been remarketed as the Jet 708589K JFM-5, and retails for about $800.  I guess you'll need to decide how much you're going to use the tool, and what price can be justified.

   Although I've never used one myself, I would consider one of the benchtop dedicated mortisers if $800 or so is beyond your budget.  But the benchtop mortisers don't have the built in clamp, or and xy table, so they're quite different than the floor mortisers, but they seem to be a step up from the drill press attachments.

   Edit: I'm not sure what your application is going to be, but you might also consider some sort of slot mortiser set up with floating tenons.

    

   
   

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   Edited 3/6/2008 11:29 am ET by Ragnar17

1. 
   BHosch | Mar 06, 2008 10:51pm | #12

   I have the drill press attachment and found that it was too much of a pain to swap in and out. While I still use the drill press for my occasional mortices I don't bother with the square chisel but just drill the holes with a forstner bit and clean it up by hand. In either case a drill press vise with x and y adjustability is a must.If you do a lot of mortising I wouldn't even consider the drill press attachments.