While JessEm’s new Pocket Mill Pro delivers mortises that are similar in size and quality to those made by the Festool Domino DF 500, it’s powered by the handheld drill you already own, which brings its price down considerably. Even when you add JessEm’s helpful work-holding station, designed for both the Pocket Mill Pro and JessEm’s doweling jigs, the bottom line is half the price of the Domino. And like Festool, JessEm sells tenon stock for each mortise size.

Your handheld drill (I used an 18-volt cordless) attaches to one of six end mills, which are held in the jig as they spin. To cut a mortise, you pull the trigger on the drill and pivot the jig’s handle with the other hand. The cutter automatically drops 0.050 in. at the end of each stroke until it reaches a preset depth (maximum depth is just over 1 in.). Then you just push a button to retract the cutter.

This is a robust, well-designed jig, and setup is as smooth and accurate as the cutting action. You can start with the basic jig to save cash, but I highly recommend adding the Baltic-birch workstation JessEm designed for the jig.

JessEm Workstation $250

—Asa Christiana is FWW’s editor-at-large.

Photos: Asa Christiana

From Fine Woodworking #306