Jet 708580 JBM-5 1/2 Horsepower Bench Mortiser Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you utilize mortise and tenon joints and have been creating them with a router or a drill press with a mortising attachment, you will really enjoy this product. There are several positive attributes about this tool and one negative.

Positive Attributes:
1) HP is quite adequate.
2) The chisels and bits I received were very sharp. They believe that they would serve the non-professional well. I usually use Clico bits, but I recommend that you at least try these before you purchase an expensive set. You might be as pleasantly suprised as I was and you could save yourself some money.
3) Fit and finish is very good.
4) The column mounts to the base structure with capscrews. The Jet engineers were thinking, because they provided two assembly hole patterns.The second hole pattern allows you to turn the head around 180 degrees. This will enable you to mortise stock one or two inches taller than normal designed capacity without a major setup changes.
5) Good quality for the price.
One Negative attribute:
If you have read any of the reviews of mortise machines, you will notice a common issue with bench top mortise machines is the hold down fixture. Jet is considered to have one of the better hold down fixtures. If you have used drill press with a mortise attachment you have lived the pain of setup and hold down. This machine is by far a huge improvement over a drill press attachment. However, this hold down fixture could also be improved.Mine is not parallel with the base surface or square with the back fence. This allows the stock to rack slightly when withdrawing the chisel from the mortise. It doesn't take much movement of the wood to bind the chisel in the mortise.
Note:
I am upgrading to the Powermatics floor model because of the improved hold down, the translating table, and the larger chisel capacity. I am very happy with my Jet mortiser and do regret purchasing it. I just want more.
Operator errors to avoid:
A) If you try force the chisel and bit, you run the risk of elevating the temperature of your cutting tools and ruining the temper. Try to keep the wood from smoking.
B) If you force the cut faster than the helix on the bit can remove the chips, you can induce too much heat into the cutting tools and could stall the motor.
C) The HP is fine. If the wood is smoking, slow down.
D) Lastly, it seems too obvious, but be prepared to mountthis to a table or some other ridgid structure before use.

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Mortising has never been easier or more accurate. Model JBM-5 JET Benchtop Mortiser features include: powerful 1/2 HP TEFC 1725 RPM motor for solid performance and trouble free operation, heavy-duty cast iron and steel construction for durability and stability, three jaw drill chuck with extended chuck key for ease of positive grip on mortise drill bit. Rack and pinion head raising and lowering allows for positive drilling control. Two hinged side doors to allow for complete drill chuck access. Removable safety toggle switch for prevention of accidental turn on 1/2" max. mortise chisel capacity. 4-3/4" head stroke. Includes free 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" chisel and bit sets.

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Makita 7104L 12 Amp Chain Mortiser Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used the ProTool and the MaFell mortisers and I prefer this Makita unit. It's quick to setup and I'm comfortable with the process that Makita uses -- cutting mortises in strips. You can cut a 5" wide mortise without any repositioning and a mortise for a 2" thick tenon cuts in three strips. A 2x5 mortise takes at most a minute to setup and cut. Cleanup is minimal. It was delivered with a broken handle and some brackets bent up. Amazon was of no help but the local Makita service center is trying to get the parts replaced.

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Perfect for the timber framing and log home industries, this innovative power tool notches and/or cuts through-holes in thick wood stock quickly, neatly and accurately. Extremely portable with its built-in carrying handle and 37.4 lb weight. The powerful 12amp motor can easily handle any size job and the externally accessible brushes makes service quick and easy. Equipped with a standard 23/32" (18.25mm) Cutter Chain, you can max cut up to 12-1/8" wide and 6-1/8" deep. Five additional Cutter Chain widths, from 5/8" to 15/16", are also available (Optional). Expect the best and get it with Makita Power Tools.

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Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I can not rave enough about Amazon's service or the Powermatic 701 Mortising Machine.
I ordered this machine on March 15 and the web site reflected a new product that was on backorder.
Amazon's web site also told me the machine would be shipped and delivered between April 20 and May 8th. It arrived on the 14th of April in excellent condition.
The price with one of Amazon's special sale days, the supersavor shipping, and no sales tax made this machine very very competitive with the $200-$300 priced machines.
Six stars for Amazon.com!!!
This is one massive bench top machine. I use to own a Jet, which was a nice servicable little machine for the price, but it was very basic with a very basic table made of MDF.

I debated between the higher end Delta, the General Tilting Table Mortiser, and the Powermatic 701. I went with the Powermatic as I do not make slat back chairs and therefore did not need to have the tilting feature.
The Powermatic 701, while not made in the USA, is made in Taiwan. The workmanship is very good. The motor runs smoothly and the guides for raising the head and moving the table operate smoothly.
Speaking of the motor, it is 3/4 horsepower compared to the 1/2 horsepower that powers the others.
This machine did not bog down in any wood I have been able to test since receiving it.
The spacer fitting for the chisel and auger is a nice touch as is the round tool rest attached to the back of the machine for your other chisels. It comes with a polishing hone already attached, too!
It does require a metric hex wrench and 10mm metric wrench(and it would be nice if Powermatic would provide them with the machine)but most do-it-your-selfers usually have a set of metric and imperial wrenches, anyway.
If there is a nit to pick, the paint finish was so-so. It does not matter to me as I bought the machine to make mortises, and this machine does that with a vengence!
I also like the ability to open the one piece cowl all the way in order to install the chisel and auger. Much more access area than the General or the Delta. The Powermatic uses a magnet to hold the cowl closed. The cowl opens like the hood on a Corvette; You have lots of room to access the chuck and make your adjustments.
Runout on the chuck was almost non-existent, exceeding anything needed for wordworking.
The machine has a solid feel and does not move due to its almost 90+ pounds of cast Iron and steel.
The handle is reversible to the left side of the machine for southpaws.
The fence hold-down is reversible for larger boards.
The table rollers are a great addition which allows you to keep the board firmly against the fence, but immediately move it right or left to keep cutting your mortise.
(Rockler sells a similar MDF setup for the Jet Mortiser, but it is not as nice nor is it cheap!)

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Includes PM701 3/4 HP Bench Top Deluxe Mortiser - 1791310, Chisel & Tool Holder w/ Sharpening Stone, 1/2-in Drill Chuck, 4-in Chuck Key, Removable Safety Switch Key

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Shop Fox W1671 3/4 HP Heavy-duty Mortising Machine Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this machine at my local woodworker store. They were having a sale and the lower price included two extra drill/chisel sets. Plus the machine was already assembled and ready to go. Sorry Amazon.
First of all, make sure to read the manual completely before assembly or attempting your first mortise. This includes the little sidebars and warning captions. Especially the one about cutting sequence.
I found the manual to be pretty complete and informative, apperantly they have upgraded it since the last reviewer got his machine. I also found the fit and finish to be very good, without the burrs and misshaped screw heads previously reported.
After reading the manual, I set the machine up with the 1/2 chisel set and did some practice mortising in a couple of 2x4's.The large door opening makes bit/chisel changes easy, even if you have large hands. There is a learning curve involved in getting the drill bit set correctly in relationship to the chisel head. You need the drill to lead the chisel by a 1/32 of an inch...thickness of a dime. Once I got the proper clearance figured out, I was cutting mortises with ease. This is a pretty strong machine, and I found that by letting the machine do all the work, I achieved very nice results. Being able to adjust the handle, for deeper cuts, with one hand is a very nice feature. I have used the Delta and Jet Mortiser's and find that I do prefer the Shop Fox. That extra 1/4 hp does make a differance. It cut easily thru the fir 2x4's and made very square holes. Once I had the fence square to the chisel, it stayed in place. The hold down functions well and has a nice big foot. I leave it a little loose and use a wedge between it and the material, something I saw on New Yankee, so I can slide the material along with minimal hassel. One thing that is a must is securely clamping or bolting the machine to your work surface, as you produce quite a bit of torque pulling the handle down. I bolted mine to a piece of 3/4 plywood and clamp that to my bench. Mine has to remain portable, because of the lack of space in my shop. I have cut mortises in several types of hardwood (quebracho, vera, maple) and achieved very good results. Just slow the feed rate down a little and it cuts right thru. The twin colums and ability to swivel the head so you can do large pieces is icing on the cake. I gave it a 4 star rating because of the particle board table, it is flat and level but I would have preferred it to be cast iron, I guess ya can't get everything your heart desires. I am very happy with this machine and would reccomend it to anyone, looking for a benchtop mortiser.
Update...I took the chisel's in to be sharpened by the same local outfit that has been sharpening my saw blades and cutters for years. Been using them quite a bit and have xmas projects coming up. First thing they did was send me home for the drills. Brain fart on my part. They told me that most customers don't bring the drills in, and that is the part that does the most work. So just a heads up...if the chisel needs sharpening, the drill does to. Still recommend this machine.

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Shop Fox®; introduces the King of benchtop mortisers. This rugged high-quality machine has all the features found in the best mortisers made, with none of their faults. The super heavy-duty fence and hold down eliminates unwanted wood movement and "sticking chisels", an all too common complaint, thus ensuring accurate and fast operation. The unique swiveling base allows easy off the bench operations and opens new possibilities for custom mortises. The precision 1/2" chuck eliminates the need to modify chisels and bits, and the extra capacity allows the use of larger stock. The all-steel quick-adjust depth stop is easy to set and provides a positive stop. With features like a 22" long solid steel quick-positioning handle, 8-tool holder, easy two-door chuck access, large base and twin hardened and ground column insures perfect mortises every time. ? Mortise to the center of a 8" wide board ? Mortise lumber to 8-3/4" thick ? Aluminum finned 3/4 H.P. 3450 R.P.M. motor for years of trouble free service ? Heavy cast iron construction ? Includes 5/8" and 3/4" chisel sleeves ? Shipping weight approx. 94 lbs.Patent Pending

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