Replies

1. 
   RickL | Jun 16, 2006 05:18pm | #1

   While I haven't used this particular machine I have used many types of slot mortisers over 25 years as well as chisel, chain and Maka mortisers I think the horizontal slot mortiser is one of the best kept secrets. I have talked to several folks who have the G-0540 and heard positive things. For the money you can't touch anything else. I recommend you use high speed steel endmills for tooling. Rather than search for an answer you might try going directly to an answer... a review of the machine by a fellow user...   http://www.woodcentral.com/articles/reviews/articles_729.shtml

   Woodworking Machinery Technician
1. 
   [email protected] | Jun 16, 2006 07:02pm | #2

   Rick,Thank you for your comments and link. Sounds good and as you say for the money...

2. 
   artd10 | Jun 17, 2006 02:14am | #3

   I've had one for about a year and don't know how i ever did without it. I use two flute end mills used for aluminum and they produce clean mortises fast. I keep a supply of tenon stock handy and now M & T joints are a snap. Art

1. 
   [email protected] | Jun 17, 2006 04:42am | #4

   Art,I appreciate your response. I'm about convinced. How does it do on end grain for the matching mortise? I'm not familiar with the bit that mention can you describe it a bit more. Who is the supplier? Do they come in different diameters?Thanks,
   George

1. 
   RickL | Jun 17, 2006 05:42am | #5

   Endmills are used in the metalworking trades. An aluminum type endmill is two flutes with a spiral flute. High speed steel will cut hundreds of mortises before needing resharpening and I pay about $5 to have them sharpened. Go to http://www.use-enco.com http://www.wttool.com http://www.mcmaster.com http://www.mscdirect.com are but a few sources. Commercial slot mortisers typically run about 3,600 to 5,000 rpm so the G-0540 is within that range. Cuts are great with end grain and long grain. Available in many sizes. Typically you only use a handfull of different size in woodworking.Woodworking Machinery Technician

   Edited 6/17/2006 7:15 am ET by RickL

2. 
   artd10 | Jun 18, 2006 12:03am | #8

   I think most of your questions have been answered. For the most part, I use either  a 1/4 or 5/16 end mill. I mark the ends of the mortises on the stock, plunge a full depth hole at either end, and then use shallow passes to clean out the middle. I eyeball it and do not bother with the stops except for the depth. There I use a combination of the position of the bit in the chuck and shims to get the correct depth. I added a piece of 1/2 in plywood to the table which allows centering in 4/4 stock. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.  Art

1. 
   [email protected] | Jun 18, 2006 12:51am | #9

   Thanks for all of your helpful comments. After I get set up I may take you up on additional advice.GEorge

3. 
   peterb3900 | Jun 17, 2006 06:03am | #6

   I have The Grizzly too.

   It quieter than the chisel mortiser or router I have used previously and the tooling is cheaper and more durable. It makes a much smoother motice than the chisel mortiser.

   It is inexpensive compared to the "real" slot motisers ($400 vs $2000). But there are limitations:

   The stops are clumsy to set

   It chatters with cuts heavier than 1/8" or slots wider than about 3/8"

   It won't center a slot in 4/4 wood without shims

   I work around all of these problems and I would not go back to the other methods.

1. 
   RickL | Jun 17, 2006 04:03pm | #7

   I've used a Rojek slot mortiser and it sounds similar in performance to the G0540 but the Rojek is over $1,700. The commercial ones are more like $3,500 and up for the Laguna, Griggio, Paolini, etc. The only other inexpensive one is the Laguna/Robland which is the mortiser from the combo machine. That's around $600 I think now plus you need to make a stand and get a router for it. It does come with the mortise chuck so you could rig up pillow blocks and a regular motor for it.Woodworking Machinery Technician