Router, bench mortiser or dado head

jkljh | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on February 28, 2007 05:11am

I was fortunate enough to have won a $450 shopping spree at a local tool dealer. I’m debating on whether to get a router combo kit, a benchtop mortiser and a dado head for my tablesaw. I cut alot of mortise and tenon joints in my work. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on what would be more use to me and versitale in my shop as I have had no experience with any of these tools. Any thoughts?

Replies

RodSheridan | Feb 28, 2007 07:53pm | #1
I would suggest the mortiser. I have a General International, about $400 Canadian, have had it for several years and have cut hundreds of mortises with it.

regards, Rod.
forestgirl | Feb 28, 2007 08:37pm | #2
What brands mortisers are available to you? I would caution not to get a mortiser that might not satisfy simply because that company carries it. Research them well. Steel City has really changed the under-$300 benchtop class with its new mortiser, and they have a $50 rebate going right now.

Here's the Company description

Ditto on the other tools, research the brands they carry to get the best bang for your winning-bucks! Congrats!

forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
PADDYDAHAT | Mar 01, 2007 04:06am | #3
G... . dados are ten a penny, routers have good future value and are a good second choice if you buy high, but if you intend to make M&t joints go for the best mortiser you can get even if you must add some cash. Paddy
KelsoChris | Mar 01, 2007 06:58am | #4
Why not go with the router combo then build a nice motising jig. I built a jig last week that uses the routers edge guide along with stops to set the length of the motise. You could also use a simple jig with a slot cut into some plywood and a guide bushing that would clamp to the workpiece. There are a lot of ways to mortise with a router but just one way to use a mortiser.