I’ve been frustrated by the existing fence and hold-down system on my hollow-chisel mortising machine. It works, but often forces me to add clamps to keep the workpiece stable. And the clamps have to be untightened and repositioned after each square hole I cut. Also, I have to reposition the fence to create mortises that are wider than my largest bit.
I solved these problems once and for all by adding a machinist’s cross-slide vise to the mortiser. The vise holds workpieces firmly and accurately, and can be moved in the X and Y directions by turning two large handles.
First I removed the standard fence and hold-down on my mortiser. Then I drilled holes in the cast-iron table, and bolted down the new vise so it was beneath the mortising bit and square to the mortiser’s table.
The vise steals 5 in. of plunge capacity from the mortiser, but I added most of that back by placing spacers under the post. One is cast iron, which came with the machine as an accessory, and the other is a 1-3/4-in.- thick, shopmade maple block. If you lack the accessory spacer, you can simply make a thicker hardwood block. Either way, you’ll need longer bolts for attaching the post to the base.
The cross-slide vise is a simple fix for a frustrating problem. Now I can create perfect mortises of all sizes, in far less time than before, and I look forward to the process.
—MICHAEL CHAPMAN, Stilwell, Kan.
Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #301
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Starrett 4" Double Square
Freud Super Dado Saw Blade Set 8" x 5/8" Bore
Leigh Super 18 Jig
Comments
yes but you are limited as to the distance from the end of where your mortise must go? I have this set up on my drill press mortise attachment but have it turned 90 degrees so I can use long stock to get to mortises that are further from the end
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