Mortiser Recommendations?

[Martin Gerber]

I am shopping for a full size mortiser - - my Delta bench top fence broke and replacement part is no longer available. No better time to upgrade....

I am considering the Grizzly G0448, Powermatic 719T and the Laguna Platinum. Any insight from current owners or those that have gone through the selection process would be greatly appreciated.

[Wayne Ashing]

Have you considered the Steelex in the Grizzley catalog? I found many good reviews and if you check out the Laguna Platinium, it looks like one of them is a rebadged copy of the other down to the stops and hold downs. The Steelex is $474 shipped. Only real differance I saw was the base. I've got one at the saia dock waiting for delivery on friday!

[Tom Hintz]

I think the Powermatic 719 deserves a hard look. I used one of these in the shop for quite a while (I got a deal on a floor model, the only reason I sold it) and the fellow who bought it from me is still VERY happy with it. The 719 really is a floor model on a (big) bench. Very well built, lots of nice features, plenty of power. I have a review with lots of photos and a video at the link below if a bit more info would help.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/pm719trvu.html

[Brian Backner]

There was a recent thread on the Steelex - I recall that the overall impression was positive. Two weekends ago I had to drive round trip from Boston to Cleveland and was going to stop in Muncy to look at and/or buy one of them. I called and was told that it had been discontinued - despite the fact that it was touted as being "NEW" on the website. There were none to be had in Muncy, hence I never stopped.

I have used the older model Powermatic 719A (no tilt feature) and for the money it can't be beat until you get into the serious industrial machines (read mucho $$$$$). I think it sells for around $1,100 on Amazon. Jet has a knock off as well. Both pop up occasionally on CraigsList. You can also find them via online auctions on www.bidspotter.com (http://www.bidspotter.com)

Another option would be to build a micro-adjustable fence for your Delta. ShopNotes had a very detailed article within the past two years about building one using 3/4" Acme rod. If anyone is interested I can dig up the issue number.

Brian

[Gary Herrmann]

I picked up the Jet JFM5 when they were having the crazy holiday/ebay/cashback sale last winter. They basically took the PM719A and painted it white. I can still see the PM markings. It's a very solid and well made tool.

[Richard Link]

I would second the support for the Powermatic 719A. I've had one for about a year and a half and it is a solid, reliable machine. If you are used to a standard benchtop hollow chisel mortiser, this will be a big step up in function.

The 719A does not have the table tilt function of the current 719T. I've not found that to be an issue, although I'm not a chair builder. I think some simple fixture building would solve that problem unless you are doing it all the time.

[Mike Heidrick]

I can concur on the 719 numbers in the Jet White painted castings of the Jet Floor mortiser.

[Frank Drew]

Two words, my friend: Horizontal. Slot. :D

[Dave Tinley]

Two words, my friend: Horizontal. Slot. :D


Yup, thats what I want for xmas !!!!

Laguna has one for about $850.00, has gotten lots of good reviews.

[Dan Scott]

I haven't used it a ton, but it was on sale for less than half, and I couldn't pass it up...seems to work very well, and it is pretty intuitive to operate...never used the others, though

[Larry Edgerton]

Powermatic here, heavy use, no problems so far in a few years. Don't know anything about the others.

[William Hutchinson]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/HollowChiselMortiser6-09.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/wlhutch/Shop%20Tools/HollowChiselMortisersidedetail6-09.jpg

This is the Steelex by Woodstock http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Heavy-Duty-Mortising-Machine-with-Stand/T20836

I have not had it that long, but so far it's worked very well. I did purchase several Grizzly premium chisels and a set of LV cone sharpeners.

It appears, aside from hand wheels, decals and paint job, this is the same machine Laguna is selling for alot more.

[Paul Ryan]

Another + for the Jet I bought it around christmas as well. I contimplated even buying it at the time. I didn't know how much I would use it. I have used it a lot since then, for furniture and other goofy things. It comes in so handy. I keep a 3/8 bit in it at all times because I constantly find reason to cut a hole with it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the models mentioned.