JessEm Zip Slot Mortise Mill

[Eric Larsen]

I finally got the Woodcraft flyer with the $5 bits today, and noticed the JessEm Zip Slot Mortise Mill on page two.

Here's a link without pics (odd that the flyer has pics) from the Woodcraft site: JessEm Zip Slot Mortise Mill:
(http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=21034&mode=details#tabs)

Looks to me like you add a motor (in the form of a cordless drill!) and get a Domino for $250.

I have my doubts as to whether a cordless, spinning at appx. 1,100 rpm is going to match the cut of a 25K rpm Festool.

But if someone has tried this jig, I'd love to hear about it.

(http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=21034&mode=details#tabs)

[Mike Heidrick]

Sure would like pictures of this one.

[Eric Larsen]

Sure would like pictures of this one.

Google drew a blank.

If nobody can post one, I'll scan the ad.

Basically, it looks like another well-made Jessem product. From the photo, I'm guessing you clamp stock to it (like a dovetail jig), then stick a drill bit into the guide bushing (like a dovetail jig), and jiggle a handle back and forth (like a multi-router) while pushing the bit into the stock.

It's got a dust collection port. And the bit (surprise surprise) looks just like the Festool bit.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5176/jessem1qi3.th.jpg (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jessem1qi3.jpg)

[Charles Lent]

Wish I could see a picture of it before making a comment, but for the price, and the need to attach a drill to it, I can't see that it would be much different or better than the BeadLock floating tenon system. Actually, I'm quite fond of my BeadLock. It's easy to use, relatively cheap, and makes a good strong floating tenon joint. Nothing can be easier than drilling 5 holes through a clamped on fixture, using a regular hand drill and bit, to make a mortise. The only problem with the BeadLock system is that you either have to buy the tenon stock from them or buy an expensive router bit to make your own, but if you use it a lot the bit will quickly pay for itself. I've made several pieces of furniture with mine and none of them has come apart.

Charley

[John Lucas]

It works and it works quite well. I just put one page up and will be adding a couple of more pages for the first of the month.
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/jess-zip-1.htm

http://www.woodshopdemos.com/jess-z11.jpg

[Heather Thompson]

Go to the Woodcraft site, they are the only distributor, use their search feature and there you go (select video to watch). On a personal note, I was not really impressed, have no hands on experience but it looked kind of weak in my opinion. I have built many alternative solutions from scrap, always feels good to salvage something to get the job done, please do not get me wrong, own many cutting edge tools here. In my opinion if it costs more in error than I can build on my own, you have my money, but I will always try first!

Heather

[Don Bullock]

John, thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to more information on this jig.