Tools and Tool Buying

[TNT Sr]

Morning All -

So I'm building a belt rack and the customer would like for me to put the top piece through the dowel and the bottom piece to go about halfway in the bottom.  I got some forstner bits and mortised it out, but didn't like having to round over the piece to slide through.  Just didn't look right to me.  I know a mortising machine would make quick work of this, but until I know I'll get more orders, I don't know if I can justify the price.  Have any of ya'll used the drill press attachments or heard anything about them?  Also, I did find a mortiser from Harbor frieght for about $150.

Thanks for ya'll's inputs.

Troy

[Old Woodie]

I don't hear much good about the drill press attachments: Too much stress on the press. I just finished making mortises by drilling and chiseling out. I am sure glad it was covered by the board because it looked worse than anything I have ever done! My next attempt is going to be with a homemade centering jig  for a router. I will mount a plate onto it. It will have a dowel on opposite corners to center the bit. It might take a while to get them done, but since I am retired, it don't matter how much time it takes. Also, I have seen a template made of wood to mount on a board to guide the bit by using a guide bushing. I don't do enough mortising to justify a mortiser, but if I did buy one, it would be a dedicated machine, probably a General. I use Kreg Pocket Hole Jig for everything but cedar. The cedar is too soft to hold, or I have not discovered the secret yet.

[JL North GA]

I have a Delta attachment.  I would rather have a mortising machine.

[georgenoeth1]

Some think morticers are becoming obsolete with the increasing popularity of the various loose tennon systems.  That may be true, I still use mine, I also have a drill press mortising attachment which I have never used.  Way to much of a pain to assemble and attach.  I believe the cheap mortisers are better than a good drill press attachment.  Never tried the Harbor Freight but mine is a Fitch also a cheapie and I have gotten lots of use from it.

[Lots of Dust]

I wouldn't bother with the drill attachment, get a mortiser.  You can find them at tool stores used sometimes for a great price.

Lots of Dust

[Kevin McC1]

I have had both and as already been mentioned the drill press attachment is a poor substitue.  Mortising machines have a long handle and massive ways for a reason.  That first plunge takes a bit of power, the quill on a drill press just won't last long, doesn't matter how sharp the chisel is.

I bought a Delta long ago, even tho I don't use it in every project, still I wouldn't part with it.  It is the right tool for the right job when in comes to traditional M&T joints.  Loose tennon joint work, that's a whole new ballgame.

Speaking of ball games, time to get in front of the TV and watch another world series game!

Kevin

[knotscott · Accepted solution]

Get a mortisder...the attachments are notoriously poor, and often despised.  Mortising requires a fair amount of leverage from the handle...the short handle on DP makes it difficult, plus you need to rotate the handle on DP too many times.  A dedicated mortiser has a long handle that provides leverage and a single motion will cover the entire range.  If you don't do a lot of mortises, even a modest machine like the $100 unit from HF is a functional tool.

[pwsun]

Used a drill press attached mortiser to build a Morris Chair out of white oak and had to rebuild the quill on the drill press after I finished.

[hcbph]

I've got both, the drill press attachment hasn't been out of the box since I moved to my current place in 1987.

Either get a decent mortiser or do them by hand.  My 2 cents.

[LibertyWW]

I have both a Delta benchtop mortiser and the Delta attachment for my Delta drillpress.  Both of them suck.  The mortiser handle engages with a shear pin that always breaks.  I have taken a steel punch and wedged in there and it bends but doesn't break.  The last time I used it the switch caught fire.  It is a piece of junk all the way around.

I also have the Delta attachment for my drill press.  It is impossible to get the fence square to the chisel.  Secondly, the drill press will snap the mortise bit no matter what speed it is set at.  I have broken more chisels than I have made mortises.

If i decide I need a mortiser, I will buy a big floor model, probably from Grizzly.  My shop is gradually turning from grey to green.

Fred