A mortising machine is a great device that is used to cut the rectangular or square cuts of the required size in your wood piece. The working process of the mortising machine is similar to drill, but it uses two tools which are the auger and the chisel which works in a combined fashion to cut out a square or rectangle holes in your wood piece.
Most Popular Mortising Machines
Editor’s Choice – Jet bench Mortiser
With the 1752 rpm motor, this Mortiser needs 115 volts. It has a rugged cast iron and steel body. The 115-volt machine is your best savior if you want something that has less power expenditure. The ½ horsepower bench Mortiser makes sure the square holes are drilled and apt to the point you have decided.
This horsepower also works efficiently if you have some unfinished home or work project. Since you will not be needing heavy machinery, ½ horsepower bench can do more than enough for you.
It comes with three bits and a chuck key. If we talk about the weight, it’s only 44 pounds that is quite light comparing to the others. This also makes it portable and you can carry it just like any woodcraft saw. You will also get a 5-year warranty, so your money has no risk factor. Therefore, it has gained a place in editor’s choice list.
The 4 ¾ inch head stroke is perfect when it comes to hitting the right point. It strictly follows the outline that you have set. The rack and pinion head combination feels heavenly and you can say goodbye to the rough woody ends. The chisel capacity that is ½ inch is also good enough, so overall you have the maximum accuracy.
Best for Beginners – Powermatic Mortiser
The feature that compelled us to enter it into our best for beginners list is the heavy-duty reversible handle. You can adjust it to both sides and that too without any tool. It increases the versatility of the usage of the machine. As we have mentioned above, hold-on is the ultimate savior. You don’t want your wood piece to escape the Mortiser approach, as this causes serious injuries.
It has a stock hold-on that depicts a double lock system. It is just like double fold protection and your wood piece won’t just slip away. On top of that, the external lock also depicts their concern regarding your safety.
The 1725 rpm shows the efficiency and the quick implementation of your settings finishes your project in no time. Let’s talk about the precision, the ¾ horsepower halves your efforts. Once the horsepower bench is correctly placed, all you have to do is to watch it following your outline.
The in-line depth stops the machine at your required depth. You won’t witness even an inch difference and it is because of this wonder. It also helps in polishing your post-work outcome and doesn’t let the chisel bit to the base.
The quick action cam lock needs your praise as well. It works in the end but has undeniable importance. When you have set everything, this lock will start functioning and keeps the fence locked at a 90-degree angle.
Budget-Friendly – Delta Mortiser
We have declared this one as budget-friendly not because it may cost you less. But the actual reason is that all the features that it offers at such a price feel quite impossible. The cast iron body has a big hole in the center so you can just start working right away.
This machine introduced by DELTA is specially made for professional woodworkers. With an adjustable dovetail and removable head, this machine can be used to mortise anywhere in addition to the base. The base is made up of cast iron and is offered with a center hole so that the cut can be made through the workpiece. This machine is powered by a 1HP copper winding motor which provides decent RPM for the performance of the mortising operation. The professionals prefer this machine due to its durability and features which are not offered by any manufacturer at this price.
The projecting hole is right at the center so you can focus on the dimensions of your project effortlessly. Now it’s not a pipe dream anymore if you want circular or square holes in the center, it’s just moments away. If we may say so, this Mortiser is the most domestic one you can ever come across.
The drill aspect is easily accessible, you can change the bit the way you prefer. You can adjust the head to 180 degrees so it covers your project wholly. In case you are planning something big but are on a tight budget, this is a budget-friendly choice for you. The 2 integrated bits and chisel spacers help you in setting the Mortiser up quickly if you are running out of time.
Rikon Mortiser
It is the best Mortiser as it gives you the liberty to place your project in the X or Y direction. You can rotate it the way your work demands. It has the rpm of whole 1750 which is mind-blowing. Your work’s aptness just jumps to the multifold perfection.
The ½ horsepower helps you in cutting the toughest of the wood pieces out there. You need not fear the stalling i.e. rough edges of the wood anymore. This is one of the most unprecedented innovations you can count on.
The innovative addition is the gas-filled stabilizer that helps you in pressing the wood down while you’re working. Moreover, you can change the direction of the project or even lift it, thanks to the gas-filled stabilizer. However, up till now, this innovation is limited to the Best Mortisers only.
On top of all, it helps you in lifting the chisel, so that your efforts are just halved. Let’s tell you one more exciting feature, now you can stop the Mortiser until you are fully satisfied. This can prevent you from compromising on the unfinished areas of your craft.
Makita Mortiser
From all the others we have presented, it is the most powerful one. It depicts the 3200 rpm that sounds phenomenal. This lets you drill holes to the core even in the thickest wood stocks. If you are a professional wood artist, this can surely be on your wish list.
It weighs only 38 lbs. so you can carry it to the far off work locations as well. The compact size helps you in carrying it in your car or your shoulder bag. The razor-sharp chain has such piercing teeth that they can transform big logs of wood into bits in an instant.
The mobile vise and knob have such a tight grip that they can bind your wood piece proficiently. Either the log size is 3-1/8 or 12-1/8 inches, the lock can easily carry any giant woodblock. Lastly, they have also added a sliding rear clamp so you can adjust the width of your project in a matter of seconds.
Powermatic Tilt Table Mortising Machine
This mortising machine is widely accepted by the customers due to its tilting table. The table of this machine can be tilted by up to 35 degrees to work with a huge range of angles. The machine is powered with a 1.5HP motor which is available in both 240V and 120V operable models. This 27000 RPM machine can mortise the wood piece with a maximum depth of 4-inches. The Powermatic mortising machine can both excavate a cut and fully cut the wood piece by using its flawless tools. The machine is fabricated from high quality cast iron so the durability of the machine is not an issue. When we talk about the chisel and auger sets, the manufacturers offer a limited variety of tools. But they can be purchased externally and can be used with this wonderful machine.
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What is a Mortising Machine Used For?
As a woodworker, you might have experienced the difficulty in cutting the neatly finished square or rectangular cuts in the wood pieces to make a good mortise and tenon joint. Most of the craftsman uses the regular drill machine by using specialized chisels for making the square holes. But the customers are not satisfied with the finish quality and complain about the workers.
The best solution to this problem is the purchase of a mortising machine which is specially designed to cut out a perfect square or rectangular holes in the pieces of woods. Usually, a mortising machine is used to excavate holes in timber, softwood, plywood, etc. The mortising machine is offered with a set of chisels to cut out the holes of different sizes.
The chisels used for cutting a square hole are quite different. They work in a pair with a tool called an auger. The auger is fixed inside the chisel and it spins out removing the waste wood product, while the chisel excavates the way deep the wood creating a perfectly shaped square or rectangular holes inside the wood. The usage of the mortising machine is quite easy.
You just have to fix the chisel right onto the mortising machine head and the auger is locked into the jaw or chuck of the machine. But both of these tools are supposed to be inserted together in the machine. If you are lacking any of these tools, the operation will not be performed perfectly. The setting of the tools mainly depends upon the width of the workpiece and the depth of the cut required in the workpiece.
Main Features of a Mortising Machine
You might be thinking that what is different in a mortising machine which makes the holes so perfectly cut. That is all because the design of the mortising machine is specially done for cutting square holes. This machine is operated by a high powered motor that is capable of rotating the head making the way through the wood piece. The rpm of the mortising machine is the decisive factor which decides the neatness of the cut hole.
The machine is offered with a medium rpm motor so that the machine remains in the user’s control and the cut should be neat and thorough. The mortising machine is made up of high quality cast iron or steel which makes it durable. The table offered with the machine can move in two axes the X-axis and the Y-axis. The table moves left and right in X-axis and up and down on the Y-axis. The table of modern mortising machines can also be tilted up to some angle for proper working.
There is a vise attached to the table which is used to clamp and center the wood piece for a proper and neat finish. Some modern mortising machine has the ability to auto center the wood piece for excavating the hole. Mostly the head of the mortising machine utilizes the famous rack and pinion mechanism for working on the workpiece. The mortising machine is also offered with a set of tools consisting of a variety of chisels and the augers. The chisel and auger work in a pair together to excavate the perfect holes inside the workpiece. Chisels swirl through the wood piece making perfectly shaped cuts and the auger removes the excess waste of the wood for proper working. Manufacturers have introduced multifunctional mortising machines for the consumers. You can use these multifunction machines either to excavate the cuts or to fully cut the workpiece of certain widths.
Who Can Use the Mortising Machine?
The mortising machine is not at all difficult to operate. With the basic precautionary measures, anyone can be able to use this extraordinary machine. Mostly, the use of a mortising machine is restricted to craftsmen dealing with furniture or other accessories made up of wood. The mortising machine can make the mortise and tenon joint which has great applications, especially in cabinet making. But many engineering institutes are teaching the use of a mortising machine to their students in workshop courses to familiarize them with the basics of this machine with many uses.
Final Remarks
So the design of the mortising machine and its features is making it a no brainer to own for the woodworkers. The functions of the mortising machine and its work quality not only satisfies the craftsman but the customers as well.