Help, need some feedback from users of horzontal mortising machines, (laguna, robland, etc) and users of hollow chisel mortisers. I’m in the market to get a machine, one or the other, but have only used the laguna with a router setup. Worked fine, but I have looked at the General hollow chisel with the tilting head and wonder if…. Has any one used both types and acquired a preference of one over the other? Strengths and weaknesses?
I am a professional who up to this point has been doing M/T with the router and either loose tenons or tenons done on the table saw. I’d like to speed things up a little and also get my joints a little better.
Thanks in advance.
Scott
Replies
Have used chisel, chain and horizontal slot mortisers in factory and custom shop settings. No contest as far as speed, accuracy and flexibility...horizontal slot mortiser has it all. HSS 2 flute end mill bits last hundreds of slots before resharpening plus the joint is cleaner than with a chisel or chain which gives better strength of the glue joint. Making mortises in rail and stile result in perfect alignment or you can go the traditional tenon but takes more time. The Laguna is a good entry level unit but the commercial ones run 3,500 to 5,000 rpm with a standard motor. Much quieter than the router unit. Easier to do angled joints and such. We have a Griggio and at least 10 shops near me all use similar machines from the Robland to Bini and such. All use loose tenon construction and high end type furniture. We just did a batch of entry and passage doors. Also with cope and stick doors you can...
http://woodcentral.com/shots/shot52.shtml
Also doubles as a horizontal boring/ doweling machine.
Edited 5/20/2003 12:38:41 PM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork
I have had very good results with the horz mortiser on my Robland jointer/planner. Another reason for combo tools. HSS end mills, (upcut), are the best tooling, lots of sizes and low cost.
I have used my friend's powermatic floor model and I now want one. Around $700+/-
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled