Delta 14-650 Hollow Chisel Mortiser?

[Ned Ladner]

I'm looking at a Delta 14-650 mortiser on Craigslist for $100. From the picture, it appears to be in good shape.

1. What would a reasonable price be?
2. What is different on this tool from the newer model 14-651?

[Homer Faucett]

Here's a good thread on this model:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=895947

I just sold a 14-651, which I considered to be a good tool. The rack and pinion fence was really nice. I upgraded to a floor standing mortiser, just because I could, and because it has an X/Y table inegral to the machine.

I can't speak specifically to the 14-650.

[Josiah Bartlett]

A great way to upgrade the holding system is to replace the fence and hold down with a small machinist's cross-slide vise. Then you just clamp the wood in the vise, use one screw to center the wood, and the other to advance the cut along the mortise. It is easy and precise. The only issue is that you lose some of the depth of cut. I did this with a Harbor Freight mortiser and it went from being a frustrating piece of junk to a pretty good machine.

[Wayne Cannon]

There are not any really significant differences.

The 14-650 has a smaller 7" cast iron base than the 14-651, and it has a wide MDF table; while the 14-651 uses its 12" cast iron base as the table.

The 14-650 has a sliding bar fence adjustment, while the 14-651 has a rack-and-pinion. Not a significant advantage, in my opinion, but another responder liked the rack-and-pinion. Both lock with a lever-action bolt (giant set screw).

The 14-650 fence is about 1"-1.5" high and "floats" a bit above the table. The 14-651 fence is 2"-2.5" and rests on the base.

The 14-651 has an optional "riser" accessory (which eliminates its rack-and-pinion fence adjustment), but allows you to mortise the edge of wider boards (it's not something you add and remove quickly).

The 14-650 chuck is accessible via two doors, one on the right and one on the left. The 14-651 has a single larger door in the front, wrapping around to the right.

The 14-650 base is mounted via three bolds through a six-hole round flange so the head can be rotated in 60-degree increments. The 14-651 has four screws in a rectangular flange so it can face either forward or backward.

They have slightly different depth stops.

[Ned Ladner]

There are not any really significant differences.

The 14-650 has a smaller 7" cast iron base than the 14-651, and it has a wide MDF table; while the 14-651 uses its 12" cast iron base as the table.

The 14-650 has a sliding bar fence adjustment, while the 14-651 has a rack-and-pinion. Not a significant advantage, in my opinion, but another responder liked the rack-and-pinion. Both lock with a lever-action bolt (giant set screw).

The 14-650 fence is about 1"-1.5" high and "floats" a bit above the table. The 14-651 fence is 2"-2.5" and rests on the base.

The 14-651 has an optional "riser" accessory (which eliminates its rack-and-pinion fence adjustment), but allows you to mortise the edge of wider boards (it's not something you add and remove quickly).

The 14-650 chuck is accessible via two doors, one on the right and one on the left. The 14-651 has a single larger door in the front, wrapping around to the right.

The 14-650 base is mounted via three bolds through a six-hole round flange so the head can be rotated in 60-degree increments. The 14-651 has four screws in a rectangular flange so it can face either forward or backward.

They have slightly different depth stops.
Wayne,

Thanks for so much detailed information. I've seen "Type 1" and "Type 2" listed for both the 650 and the 651. Do you know what that means?

Is $100 too much to pay for a 14-650 in very good condition? I don't have space for a floor mortiser and I would like to get the Powermatic PM701 but I'm not willing to pay $450.

Thanks again for the information.

[Chris Porzio]

I'm looking at a Delta 14-650 mortiser on Craigslist for $100. From the picture, it appears to be in good shape.

1. What would a reasonable price be?
2. What is different on this tool from the newer model 14-651?

Hi Ned:

The $100 price for the Delta 14-650 mortiser on Craigslist is a steal provided that it works. The Delta 14-651 mortiser sell for $319 to 299 new. There is one (Delta 14-651 mortiser) on Craigslist today in NYC for $140 and that is great too. I suggest that you go out to see it, have him/her demo it. There is not too much that can go wrong with these simple machines. Don't send payment through the mail as you may never see the piece of equipment. Buyer beware.

My guess is that it's an older model or the person posting the ad on Craigslist made a typographical error. Good Luck

Regards,
Chris :)

[Jerome Hanby]

I wouldn't buy a Delta mortiser new, but if I had found a decent one for $100 before I bought my Powermatic, I would have jumped on it...

[Ben Hatcher]

Provided it works well, that is a reasonable price. I just bought that model for about the same amount off of CL a few months ago. It works just fine.