Replies

1. 
   badoyn | Dec 18, 2002 06:47am | #1

   There was a thread not too long ago about this subject, and I believe the Shop Fox was the benchtop mortiser of choice. I just ordered one.

   Do a search for Shop Fox and it'll pop up a bunch of info.

   Sarge, I might have a few questions from you about the hold-down.

   Thanks,

   Michael

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 19, 2002 07:00am | #7

   Michael

      If you got questions on the hold-downs let them rip. You can either post or e-mail. Do the best I can to answer. Like Delta Airlines, "ready when you are". grin<>

   sarge..jt

1. 
   badoyn | Dec 19, 2002 06:02pm | #9

   Thanks Sarge,

   I probably won't get to putting it together until tomorrow or this weekend, but you can rest assured I'll have questions.

   Thanks again,

   Michael

1. 
   scooter1 | Dec 20, 2002 09:15pm | #10

   I love my Delta. One of the more usefull tools I have purchased in the last couple years.Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927

2. 
   johnhardy | Dec 18, 2002 07:46pm | #2

   The article Lon Schleining did about floating tenons convinced me to give up my Multico mortiser and go with floating tenons. Rather than build a jig for my router, I bought a router mortiser from Laguna, for about $750 (without the router). This is a table which can be moved in an x/y/z position relative to a fixed router. It works great.

   The only drawback I can see to this, as opposed to a true mortising machine, is that the mortises have rounded ends. If you're looking for a through tenon, with square ends, you'd have some hand work to do to complete the work.

   John

3. 
   user-274461 | Dec 18, 2002 08:37pm | #3

   I have a Delta which works fine for me.  Most articles I read suggests the Multico (from Garrett Wade) to be the head of the class but I am sure you won't go wrong with the Powermatic.  Either way, the key to smooth operation is to keep the bits sharp.  There are a number of discussions in the archives here which addresses that subject.  Godd luck.

4. 
   JAM | Dec 18, 2002 11:51pm | #4

    You Might checkout the General. They make a stand alone model with a tilting head. Although I'm not sure how much you'd really need a tilting head.

     I just bought the General bench top andI feel it's a Exellent  Bench top machine. I feel it's better built,with better options than the Delta,Jet or even Shop Fox.

    Please at least check them out before you buy. General has a Exellent reputation for High  Quality tools.

5. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 19, 2002 12:01am | #5

   I've used and broken a Delta and a Multico.  Next chair order I get I'm getting the PM 719A.   I found an old foot plunged PM #400 on Ebay for $350 awhile back and would have gladly swapped in a single phase motor, but the freight across the country was a deal breaker.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

6. 
   RANGERP75R | Dec 19, 2002 06:56am | #6

   ecomma

      I agree with elcoholic on the Power-matic stand alone. I have not checked the General stand alone. I love everything else General has though. These are the two I would start with if you're shopping.

   Good luck..

   sarge..jt

7. 
   craigmoe | Dec 19, 2002 09:05am | #8

   I just happened to notice there is a used Powermatic mortiser available on Ebay, but the auction is expiring soon.   I'm not sure if it is discounted enough to make it worthwhile, especially since the shipping could be significant.  In case you are interested, the link is...

   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2082183909