I’ve always wanted a mortising machine but don’t have room for one in my shop. That plus not doing that many mortises has held me back from a purchase. So I was intrigued when I saw this youtube short video. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CCP4AKWIRQ0
This guy is using a multitool mounted on a plunge base to make mortises. I find the combo (tool plus plunge base and accessories) for $600+ online.
What are your thoughts? Will it work on hardwood like white oak? Is it a real benefit? I mean it seems to cut the edges fine, but you still have to clean out the hole. Is it really better than mallet and chisel? Any less costly alternatives?
Thanks as always.
Replies
It clearly did the job for him though I note the mortices were a little overcut. He is possibly making a lot of this stuff and it does what he needs in his workflow. Hard to say how it would work in yours.
I've never used an oscillating tool to do this kind of work but Festool don't introduce useless crap.
I can't see why it would not work on any wood.
However:
Unless making through mortices, it leaves you with the job of removing the waste, which is, point of fact, most of the work.
Few mortices need to be so deep that you cannot make them with a router. Most of those would also be out of reach of this tool. It may be harder to achieve good results on smaller stock.
I think a mallet and chisel would be a better option in most circumstances - If you think about it, most projects are going to need about 12-16 mortice and tenon joints - they really don't take long to cut by hand, so you have to be doing a lot to justify buying a machine to do what is a simple job. If you think about it, it takes a while to set up a machine, do test cuts etc, so whilst I would definitely use a morticing machine if I had one, as an amateur, I just can't justify the cost right now.
If I had that much to spend on a joinery tool, I'd buy the small Domino instead.
I have always thought those youtube shorts were all pretty lame, this one reinforces my opinion. For the money you are talking you could get a good benchtop mortiser.
The limited number of times that you would be able to use it are so few to make it negligible. Most mortise are cut ⅜"-⅝" far more narrow than any blade I've ever seen for an oscillating tool. Then factor in that he had to use a router to true the sides probably due to blade deflection or simple inaccuracies in the setup means there are many better ways to cut a mortise. There are numerous shop made router jigs that can do the job for a fraction of the cost. I also am a big believer in hand cut mortise which are simpler and faster than many people think.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/joinery/cut-a-mortise-in-minutes