Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 16, 2004 05:08am | #1

   Hope you don't press me for details <g> but my recollection is that the Shop Fox has consistently out-performed the Jet in various reviews and tool comparisons.  The price difference is around $20 I think.  Also, the newest Delta mortiser has been redesigned and is heavier and "stouter" than its predecessor from what I've heard.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   bones | Apr 16, 2004 03:29pm | #2

   Thanks for the input. All the reviews is one of the reasons I was wanting the shopfox.  I tend to research everything to death. The price from grizzly is 229 + 35 for shipping.  The Jet is local no shipping. A little sales tax ($8) but not bad. I'm just wondering if the sopfox is $77 better.

1. 
   HeirlumeMstr | Apr 16, 2004 09:10pm | #3

   Like you I was going to purchace a Shop Fox Morticer but once I did a little checking around I decided to go with Delta's new model. The most important reason for this is I can interchange the bits and chisels with Jets and also the head on the Deltas pivots by unbolting it from the base so you can mortice long peices of stock on end which in my case is good for bed posts.  Last but not least Delta's redesighned where the key goes in the chuck so the whole area opens up for better accesability of the chuck and having better control while fastening in the chisel.

   Good Luck

    James Clark @ Thouz Heirlume Putcher Woodazm Asilem

2. 
   ownersrep | Apr 16, 2004 11:40pm | #4

   Bones,

   Just my 2 cents but, I own the Jet and would pay the difference for the shop fox or delta if I was doing it again. 

   Jim

3. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 17, 2004 03:23am | #5

   I understand the new Fisch has a quarter extra horse and has corrected the major problems the last big review of mortisers talked about for all the machines they reviewed.  That had to do with the small table and lousy hold down devices.  Fisch supposedly has fixed these issues and gets a much better review.

   Alan - planesaw

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 17, 2004 06:51pm | #6

   bones

      Have the SF. Sturdiest with twin columm on the market when I was researching two years ago. Not only will the head swing so you can handle very long pieces off the table, it has three shock attachment positions while it is in the standard position. You can get a piece almost 12" thick under the standard set-up in the highest shock attachment position. The chuck is accessed from both sides through ample opening for easy chisel removal.

      As with all bench models, their is no sliding table and hold-downs could be improved. You have to do it yourself as discussed here many times. The SF handle is longer for better leverage also as the General. That makes a difference. If you buy the Jet, you can put a lead pipe over the existing handle to get the extra leverage.

     The new (not old) Fisch has come out with twin column as the Fox. Could be the same plant, I don't have a clue. It is nice, but it is expensive as most Fisch products. I don't personally see it as being better, just more expensive. Perhaps Neimen Marcus has a hand in pricing. Again I don't have a clue why it is that much more from viewing it. It does have the 1725 rpm that I do like as the SF has 3450 rpm. Not a problem if you are aware of the rpm. The down-side is it won't handle the thick-ness of the Fox.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   bones | Apr 17, 2004 07:54pm | #7

   Thanks. After looking at the Jet up close it did not impress me the way the SF did.  I will wait and buy the SF. I know if I bought the Jet I would kick myself later on for skimping on the $80.00.