shopmade slot mortisers

[nick brigg]

i've been searching around and have seen a few designs but nothing really great. does anyone have a great design for a slot mortiser? im looking to turn my router into a slot mortiser for loose tenon work. thanks!

[Mark Mazzo]

Nick,

I don't have a slot mortiser, but I do mortises for Loose Tenon Joinery with a simple router jig and a plunge router. I have info on my web site (http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2007/09/25/loose-tenon-joinery-budget-alternative-festool-domino/) describing the jig and how it works.

The jig is pretty simple to build and works well. The best thing is that if you have a plunge router, an edge guide and some scrap you can build this for next to nothing.

If you really want the router (or at least its base) fixed for this operation try searching for "Horizontal Router Table" as that's often what is used to do mortising with the router.

[Greg Jurrens]

I converted an old Shopsmith into a slot mortiser. I used some 8020 inc. extrusions and linear bearings to make a sliding table. I use end mills for cutters and it works great.
Greg

[Nissim Avrahami]

I'm sure that you are not going to make this one but, you can have a look here
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61301

Here is the router lift
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61607

Abd here is the test
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=62100

niki

[Joe Meazle]

I don't have any plans but here are som pics of the one I made. It uses an old PC router table I outgrew and some modified bb drawer slides and a press screw for height adjustment.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/meazlejr/2007_0411Niki0038.jpg

[Bryan Rocker]

I made a simple fixture that just fits my plunge router. It works great. My only issue was figuring out how to stop breaking those $20 bits. Once I solved that problem I haven't broken a bit since. I will see if I can snap a picture or two later. My fixture is out of 3/4" plywood....

Bryan

[Gary Keedwell]

I don't have any plans but here are som pics of the one I made. It uses an old PC router table I outgrew and some modified bb drawer slides and a press screw for height adjustment.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/meazlejr/2007_0411Niki0038.jpg
AHHhhhhhhh A picture with wood chips....Bravo:D

Gary

[Cary Swoveland]

...My only issue was figuring out how to stop breaking those $20 bits. Once I solved that problem I haven't broken a bit since...
OK, let's have it, Brian. HSS bits? Single-fluted bits? ??

Cary

[Heather Thompson]

I converted an old Shopsmith into a slot mortiser. I used some 8020 inc. extrusions and linear bearings to make a sliding table. I use end mills for cutters and it works great.
Greg


I have been working on a similar idea for my Shopsmith, could you post some pics and further information please.

Thank you,

Heather

[Michael Lutz]

Nick,

I have seen two different types. One style has the router fixed in place and the workpiece is moved in an X-Y-Z motion for the morticing usually with some sliding tables. There are examples of this type in shopnotes and FWW. The other type has a router mounted to a plate which can move horizontally on machined shafts, adjusted vertically by a threaded rod adjustment, and in and out via the plunge router mechanism. There is an example of this type in the book Router Magic by Bill Hylton.

Mike

[Joe Meazle]

AHHhhhhhhh A picture with wood chips....Bravo:D

Gary
Thanks, I think.

[Tom Hargrove]

Joe -

Nice set up. Can you post a photo of the back showing some detail of the height adjustment mechanism? I too have a PC table that I outgrew.

[Joe Meazle]

Here you go Tom I also put in a better shot of the x/y tables.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/meazlejr/2007_0411Niki0042.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/meazlejr/2007_0411Niki0041.jpg

[Tom Hargrove]

Thanks Joe.

Tom

[Joe Meazle]

Tom if yu get going and have ny questions let me know. i did modify the fence brackets to revsese them to attach the table to to the base and allow for the z adjustment.

[Dan Racette]

I have the Taunton Book "Tables and Chairs" and there is an article in there by Ross Day and he uses a mandrel powered by a motor and belts and pulleys as his slot mortiser. Best design that I have seen that isn't a piece of iron.

Morris Tool is a good source for bits.

Dan

here is a link. I don't know if it is okay to post it, or if it will take you there, but there is a picture of the mortiser (do a search on the book when you get to this link for Ross Day and page forward until you see a picutre of the mortiser)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1561581003/ref=sib_sip_pdp_pg/102-8619549-3471324?ie=UTF8&keywords=spindle%20mortises&p=S02I&checkSum=Z%2FbhpHZjhS3wrVCLjGW19mcg7e5BuWHLLAkNJdY eCzM%3D#