Mortising Machine Comparison Reviews

[Rich Riddle]

Old age strikes. :( Recently I went to a book store and read an article in one of the woodworking or tool magazines pertaining to several mortising machines. The compared router, Leigh FMT, hollow core mortisers, and horizontal mortisers. Unfortunately, I didn't buy the magazine and forgot which one performed the review. It should be a current edition since this was just last week. Does anyone happen to know which magazine did the testing? Thank you.

[John A langley]

Rich - Wood Magazine, good article, they gave Powermatic and General high marks. I looked at the Powermatic yesterdaya and Rankon a Delta were sitting next to it. The Powermatic was by far the better machine but it was also $497.00.

[Rich Riddle]

John, thank you for clearing up a senior moment. I will get the magazine tomorrow. If memory serves correctly they also compared the Leigh and some horizontal machines as well.

[Alan Schaffter]

Rich,

I have no personal experience and this thing is quite a bit more expensive than most hollow chisel mortisers, but if I had the $ I would get a router-based mortiser like the Richline 18-8 Mortising Machine (http://www.richlinemachines.com/machines.html):

http://www.richlinemachines.com/images/mortise1.jpg

[Rich Riddle]

Alan,

Any time they don't list the selling price you can tell it's a lot. Being a married man, I have a limited tool budget. She's more than understanding with me on tool costs, but out of respect to her I try to keep it in line. I recently purchased a 2010 Unisaw in pristine condition for $1000 instead of a $3000 new one for instance. I will be making some cabinets soon and am looking at the type machine you picture, a Leigh FMT or possibly a horizontal machine if there are any used ones at reasonable prices. I do have access to a Powermatic 719T with a full set of chisels.

[Mike Henderson]

Rich,

I have no personal experience and this thing is quite a bit more expensive than most hollow chisel mortisers, but if I had the $ I would get a router-based mortiser like the Richline 18-8 Mortising Machine (http://www.richlinemachines.com/machines.html):

http://www.richlinemachines.com/images/mortise1.jpg
Since they don't list the price, would you tell us how much it is? You indicated it was expensive so I assume you know the price.

Mike

[Mike Henderson]

And just a comment on mortising machines - it's hard to beat a horizontal slot mortiser for flexibility and speed in making mortises. If I did a lot of mortises every day, I'd sure have one.

Mike

[Paul McGaha]

Rich,

I really like using a hollow chisel mortiser. Quiet, Not a lot of mess, Easy to use as the operator has a great view of the bit/chisel.

I have a PM 719A (non tilting) and I really like it.

Watch the hold down system, make sure you pick a machine that has a good one.

Good luck with it.

Great job on finding that Unisaw.

PHM

[Jerome Hanby]

First link if you Google it is a link to FWW where they list the price as $1850


And just a comment on mortising machines - it's hard to beat a horizontal slot mortiser for flexibility and speed in making mortises. If I did a lot of mortises every day, I'd sure have one.

Mike

[Jim Davenport]

I bought the Craftsman mortiser in 2006. The machines that Wood liked must really be super. I,ve been very happy with mine. It's done everything I've asked it to do.
The key to good operation is very sharp bits and chisels.
I have the cheap ones that came with the machine. I touch up the edges before each use.

[David Kumm]

There are a couple of Felder slot mortisers on Woodweb which is unusual. They hold their value better than almost any machine. Tells you how sought after they are. Dave

[Alan Schaffter]

Sorry, I didn't list the price. I thought it was at the Richline link, I must have seen in at the FWW link too. $1850 is a bit steep, and I'm not sure, but I don't think it comes with a router!

I know a horizontal mortiser does about the same thing, but I sure like looking right where I'm about to drill a hole. I had a Delta now a Shop Fox hollow chisel mortiser. I outfitted both with a modified cross-slide vise. I don't care about incrementally moving the work in the 'X' direction so I removed that leadscrew and mounted the vise to a homemade free-sliding table. Like most folks I reversed the 'Y' leadscrew crank so it is at the front near the vise crank. I still need to add stops to limit 'X' direction travel. I like the quality of the mortise cheeks made with a router however I don't like the noise.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/2457/medium/IMG_40702.JPG

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/2457/medium/IMG_40722.JPG

[Van Huskey]

Old age strikes. :( Recently I went to a book store and read an article in one of the woodworking or tool magazines pertaining to several mortising machines. The compared router, Leigh FMT, hollow core mortisers, and horizontal mortisers. Unfortunately, I didn't buy the magazine and forgot which one performed the review. It should be a current edition since this was just last week. Does anyone happen to know which magazine did the testing? Thank you.

I think the Wood review John mentioned was just about benchtop hollow chisel mortisers. You may have seen the article that FWW did which looked at all the different options BUT was not a specific review of individual machines. It was done a couple of years ago but pops up in their special issues like "Tool Guide" quite often.

I have been mulling over the options for my new shop and though I have always used hollow chisel mortisers I think I am going to give the new lower priced FMT a try. I love Leigh stuff and I figure if I don't like it I can get a decent amount back in resell, I just have to avoid the urge to get all the templates and bits up front until I am sure I like it. I suppose if money was no object I would get one of each since they all have their uses, especially if you are like me and like to build ecclectic designs and not just a student of one style.

@Jim one of the biggest difference in benchtop hollow chisel mortisers is the work holds, thats where you can see the real difference between your C-man and the PM and General line.

PS If I do get a hollow chisel mortiser and it isn't used it will be the benchtop PM or General or the floor standing PM.

[Mike Henderson]

First link if you Google it is a link to FWW where they list the price as $1850
Thanks. I went to the manufacturer's web site and didn't find a price.

Mike

[frank shic]

First link if you Google it is a link to FWW where they list the price as $1850

rofl at last! a mortiser that's even more expensive than the domino!!!

[mreza Salav]

Want a serious mortising machine? here is an old one came back to life:

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/stenner-bl-motiser-chain-chisel-help-pic-heavy-t52093.html

This guy is in Canada and his collection of tools is the most amazing I've seen. He is extremely well at rebuilding old machines.

[frank shic]

In the words of luke skywalker: look at the size of that thing!!!

[Guy Belleman]

I have a Shop Fox mortiser like the one above and it has worked fine. I also bought a General that had larger capacity. Then I used a Powermatic 719 at a woodworking class and have been looking for one to replace the others. I prefer to not clobber up bench space and get a standing model. Having a wheel to move the cut along is sure nice, rather than doing it manually.

[michael case]

I have a Domino and a really nice version of the Delta hollow chisel. I almost never use the hollow chisel since I bought the Mortise pal for $169.00! If you have a decent plunge router you will find this to be a great tool. Beyond its speed, accuracy, and convenience for simply cutting mortises it is outstanding for floating tenon joinery. The only limitation is the depth. By setting up with a long bit set 5/16" past the bushing you can get 13/4" depth max depending on length of your router's plunge.
http://www.mortisepal.com/

[Jeff Duncan]

Yikes.....that Richline machine costs more than I paid for my slot mortiser....though mine was used. I can't imagine sinking that kind of money into something that uses a router....with the possible exception of a CNC machine.

FWIW Felders slot mortiser reputation depends on who you talk to. Some guys think they're great, but I read enough negative comments that I decided to steer clean when I bought mine and went for an Italian instead;)

good luck,
JeffD

[Bill Huber]

This is the one I think I am going to get, I have been wanting to use M&T on some small jewelry boxes.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYt-ITp9N7M

It is really neat for the job it is doing.

[Van Huskey]

Yikes.....that Richline machine costs more than I paid for my slot mortiser....though mine was used. I can't imagine sinking that kind of money into something that uses a router....with the possible exception of a CNC machine.
good luck,
JeffD

No even a Multi-router? http://jdstools.com/multi-router.aspx

[Van Huskey]

This is the one I think I am going to get, I have been wanting to use M&T on some small jewelry boxes.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYt-ITp9N7M

It is really neat for the job it is doing.

Very cool chain mortiser, lots of the large industrial mortisers you see for sale used are of the chain variety.

[Mike Heidrick]

Played with a $4K LBM 200 Laguna mortiser when I was buying their $1000 Vway version. Really quite a differece in quality but that was a steep upcharge. A euro mortiser at a used price where the work stays fixed and the head moves would be a super sweet machine to own.

That chain mortiser is crazy looking.

[frank shic]

This is the one I think I am going to get, I have been wanting to use M&T on some small jewelry boxes.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYt-ITp9N7M

It is really neat for the job it is doing.

i wonder how he cut the tenons? beam saw?

[jonathan eagle]

Beautiful setup. I need to do that.
Jonathan


Sorry, I didn't list the price. I thought it was at the Richline link, I must have seen in at the FWW link too. $1850 is a bit steep, and I'm not sure, but I don't think it comes with a router!

I know a horizontal mortiser does about the same thing, but I sure like looking right where I'm about to drill a hole. I had a Delta now a Shop Fox hollow chisel mortiser. I outfitted both with a modified cross-slide vise. I don't care about incrementally moving the work in the 'X' direction so I removed that leadscrew and mounted the vise to a homemade free-sliding table. Like most folks I reversed the 'Y' leadscrew crank so it is at the front near the vise crank. I still need to add stops to limit 'X' direction travel. I like the quality of the mortise cheeks made with a router however I don't like the noise.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/2457/medium/IMG_40702.JPG

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/2457/medium/IMG_40722.JPG