Long Handle and Big Motor

From FWW #241 (July/August 2014):
Street price: $550
Motor: 1 hp
Hold-down: Excellent
Clamping: Very good
Fence: Good
Table: Fair
Depth stop: Good
Comments: Long handle and big motor make mortising easy.

Read “Tool Test: Benchtop Mortisers,” (FWW #241).

From FWW #178 (July/August 2005):

Properly set up and operated, a mortising machine cuts straight, square-sided mortises in relatively short order. The author had eight benchtop models shipped to his shop for a close examination. Running around $100 more than most models tested but $100 less than the General, the Woodtek with its many solid features qualifies as the best value. It has a fence that when moved remains square to the chisel, a vise, end stops, and toolless adjustment. Its sliding hold-down is easy to adjust, and its long lever arm makes for easier cuts. Finally, there was minimal chip jamming during cuts.

Read “Benchtop Mortisers,” (FWW #178)

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Rockler Dust Right 650 CFM

While all five of the smaller units will collect chips efficiently when deployed properly, the 3/4-hp Rockler was just a bit more powerful in our suction test.

Buy at Amazon

JessEm Mite-R Excel II Miter Gauge

The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.

Buy at Amazon

Shop Fox W1826

The thick, felted bag on this Shop Fox is a plus and a minus. On one hand, it makes the unit much less expensive than collectors with canister filters, and also lighter and easier to hang on the wall. Without a separate plastic bag to catch chips, however, they stay in the felt bag, and the shortish zipper on the bottom makes it tough to shake them out. Otherwise, the W1826 is an excellent value.

Buy at Amazon