Input on mortiser

[Ted Shrader]

All -

Am considering purchasing a mortiser. After some research, so far I have narrowed down my choices to General 75-075 and Powermatic 719A.<p> <table><tr><td align="bottom"> <img src="http://www.general.ca/international/75-075.jpg " width="161" height="215" space="20"></td><td> </td><td><img src="http://www.jettools.com/PMWood/Images/719A-POW.gif" width="141" height="315" caption="Powermatic 719A"></td></tr><tr align="center"><td>General 75-075</td><td> </td><td>Powermatic 719A</td></tr></table>

Some questions:<list><ul>Does any one have any experience with either? </ul> <ul>Any other suggestions (and why)?</ul><ul>Any suggestions for sources of General Machines?</ul></list>

I would like to actually see each prior to purchasing. It does not look like that will be possible since I am not aware of any place that handles General in this area (Southeastern Virginia). Willing to make a reasonable road trip if required if there is one nearby to look at. I have seen and touched the PM 719A, but not really examined it closely.

Any help would be appreciated. :)

Ted

[Scott Greaves]

Hi Ted,

I have the Powermatic 719a, and it is a sweet machine. I really can't think of anything bad to say about it. Let me think . . . Oh yeah! It is too short! I am 6'3", and I need to put something under the base to lift it up about six inches, so I don't have to stoop over.

In my opinion, it is about the best built piece of equipment in my shop. Fit, finish and operation is all great!

I would have liked to see the General before buying the Powermatic. I have heard good things about it. I don't think you would go wrong with either of these machines, but I Know you wouldn't go wrong with the Powermatic!

Scott.

[Ken Garlock]

Ted, a month or so ago, someone posted a site that had a direct comparison of the General and the Powermatic. Having slept since then, I was lucky to remember the comparison:) After a couple google searches, I found it. So, go take a look at this site to get a detailed comparison of the two machines:

http://www.wood-workers.com/users/charlieb/MortisersComparison.html
(now it works :) )

Hope this helps :confused:

[Ken Salisbury]

<p align="center">

URL didn't work --- this one should.

http://www.wood-workers.com/users/charlieb/MortisersComparison.html

[Mike Lubin]

Since you asked for other suggestions, you may want to check out the Leigh FMT. I saw this at the Woodworking Show a couple weeks back and was thoroughly impressed. The price is a bit less than the PM and will cut both mortises and tenons in less time than it would take you to chuck up a bit in the mortiser. Well, maybe that is an exageration, but it was FAST!

Just trying to add to the confusion.

- Mike

[Dave Arbuckle]

My suggestion too would be to consider FMT. It is $800 give or take assuming you have a decent plunge router already. The benefit over a hollow chisel mortiser is that it also makes the tenon.

The disadvantages are that the depth of cut is lower, and the mortise/tenon is rounded on the end. It would be of concern to me if I did a lot of through M/T.

The first real use of mine was timed. Took 13 1/2 minutes total for a complete table base, 8 mortise and tenons. Not rushing.

Dave

[Ken Salisbury]

I was talking to Rick Warrren at General Industrial Supply on another subject this moning and while I had him on the phone I asked him about a PM 719A scratch & dent price. He quoted $600.00 including the base. Just thought I would pass that along.

[Ted Shrader]

All -

Thanks for the responses so far. (Others - if your have input, feel free to jump in! :) ) Does anyone have recommendations for General dealers? (Interested in customer experience with various dealers.)


Mike and Dave - Thought about the Leigh FMT, but will need to do through mortises, so want the tenons to be square.

Ken & Ken (why does Darryl and my other brother Darryl come to mind? :D ) - That article does give a good comparison. Thoroughly studied it.

Scott - I am the same height as you. I was concerned about the table height also - hence the one of the reasons to put "hands on". The site that Ken gave outlines plans for a stand for the General. It doesn't come with a base although one is available.



Thanks,
Ted

[Stan Smith]

Hello, Ted:

I think that you're on the right track. I just bought the ShopFox mortiser. It is fine for me since I don't make mortises that often. However, if I did, I would get one of the machines that you are considering. This is another situation that you get what you pay for. I'm satisfied with what I have, but for frequent use, I would go the route that you are. FWIW

[Von Bickley]

Ted,

I have no experience with either one. All I have is the Jet table top mortiser.
From the pictures you posted, it looks like either one would be an excellent addition to your shop. Let us know which one you get.

[Frank Carpenter]

Ted,

The General dealer closest to us is :

Fries,Beall & Sharp
Lorton, VA 22079
(703) 550-1100

They had the General mortiser displayed at the Chantilly show this weekend. It appeared to be a very high quality machine.

But I purchased the Leigh FMT at the show. 3 weeks until delivery.

Frank

[Ed Marks]

Try Wilke Machine. I have bought some General stuff from them and had it shipped t NH. They seemed OK to deal with and came through as promised. They are somewhere in So PA so it may be on the brink of a long road trip.

http://www.wilkemach.com/

[Peter Gregory]

Originally posted by Ted Shrader
Thought about the Leigh FMT, but will need to do through mortises, so want the tenons to be square.


I recently went through decision processes. I decided to get the Leigh FMT. If I need to do a through mortise and want to go square, cut the mortise with the FMT, square with your favorite hand tool.

From my studies, I would get the General or PM floor unit.

Good luck.

[RJ Schuff]

I have the Powermatic and I love it. I am 6' 4" and I use the machine from a seated position. Cannot think of a single problem.

RJ

[Ted Shrader]

Originally posted by RJ Schuff
I have the Powermatic and I love it. I am 6' 4" and I use the machine from a seated position. Cannot think of a single problem.
RJ

Seated .... hmmmm. Hadn't thought of that. But don't want to be accused of being lazy on the job! :)

Thanks for the dealer feed back. Will check them out.

Ted

[Dave Arbuckle]

(apologies for semi-hijack) Peter, squaring the mortise is easy enough, but what do you plan to do regarding the tenon?

Dave

[Peter Gregory]

Originally posted by Dave Arbuckle
(apologies for semi-hijack) Peter, squaring the mortise is easy enough, but what do you plan to do regarding the tenon?

Dave

You can make a longer tenon (same width) on the FMT (there is an adjustment for that) and cut it down square easily enough.

If that doesn't feel good enough you could do the same thing that a person with a standard mortise machine does, make it using a different process. For example, you could use your table saw and a tenoning jig, or you can use your table saw and a fence, or you can use your bandsaw... etc, etc.

You are right of course, on a through tenon you will have to think even with the FMT. On a tenon that doesn't go though, you don't really have to. :)

IMHO the FMT and systems like it are better than a mortise machine. It sets up fast, costs about the same and the results are fast and truely excellent.

Thanks for making me think of a way to make a square through tenon with the FMT. Hadn't put on my thinking cap before on this topic.

[Dave Arbuckle]

On a tenon that doesn't go though, you don't really have to [think]

That's what I like about mine, to be sure! ;) Although I don't care for through M&T, I know a lot of people do. I'm collecting methods like this.

Keep in mind that FMT is somewhat limited in depth of cut, compared to a HCM. The length of a router bit, minus a little for the space between the mount and the stock. I've seen some through M&T where this would be a problem.

Appreciate the thoughts.

Dave

[Peter Gregory]

Originally posted by Dave Arbuckle
Keep in mind that FMT is somewhat limited in depth of cut, compared to a HCM. The length of a router bit, minus a little for the space between the mount and the stock. I've seen some through M&T where this would be a problem.


I'm pretty sure that longer bits will fix the depth problem, but I haven't tried it.

I'm sending this one in for a shop tip thing in some magazine, there must be money in squaring a round tenon. :)

[Bill Sams]

I have the powermatic. Yesterday mortised for 4 interior mahogany doors, works well. (I tip for all, I used "lenox lube", the stuff for band saw blades on the mortise chisel and bit, much quieter and smoother operation.)
any way I saw the general at the chantilly show also, but wasn't impressed, though I was already PM biased.
I purchased mine through Woodcrafts 10% off sale last summer.
I still have mine on the stand but plan on working it in to one of my benches so I'll have permanent support on both sides for mortising 7'0 stiles. Doing this will raise it up a few inches which will help the low factor.
I'm located near Charlottesville, Va. Might be further trip than you want, but you are welcome to come.

[Ted Calver]

Ted,
I've had the PM since it first came out and have been really pleased with it. I'm in Newport News if you want to take a test drive.
Ted

[Ted Shrader]

Ted and Bill -

Sent you private messages. Look at the bottom of the main page.

Ted