Cyrille de Brébisson wrote:
hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I have
a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

In a recent FWW tool guide, they gave a very good review to the Delta
14-651. (Tops were General International and Woodtek, in that
order...both very substantially more expensive.)

I just bought one last night on Amazon...they had it on sale for $199,
and with the $20-off promo, that brought it in at $179, with free
delivery to boot. For that money, I couldn't say no. (Woodcraft sells
the same machine for $269.)

I just looked, and the price has risen to $229, but that now qualifies
for the $40-off promo, so your delivered cost is just $10 more.

I (obviously) haven't used the tool yet, nor any other mortiser, so
can't answer you about which is the best model, other than based on a
single review.

But I sure as ^%$# can't wait to get mine. It comes with four chisels
as well, which I figure are probably crap chisels too, but an
_excellent_ opportunity for me to learn to sharpen them, probably burn
the &^%$ out of them, then throw them away and get better quality once
I've gotten over the learning curve.

hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I have
a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

I needed one for a cradle I made my Gdaughter. After checking the reviews I
went with the Shop Fox and am very happy with it. Check at www.grizzly.com
for latest prices. I also bought the set of chisels they sell. Still sharp
after 160 holes in butternut and white oak.

Have fun,
Al in WA



"Cyrille de Brébisson" wrote in message
...
hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
have a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

Cyrille de Brébisson wrote:

hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I have
a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille


Personally I like the results from an upcut spiral bit over a mortising
unit.

dave

Bought the HF unit - have about the same needs as you. Went on ebay and
bought some extra chisel/bit combos. Much better than the HF originals and
the combo works fine. There are quite a few excellent quality chisel/bit
combos available that fit the HF unit. Cut 120 1/2" mortises with no problem
other than boredom.

YMMV,

Vic

"Cyrille de Brébisson" wrote in message
...
hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
have a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

I'll second the shop fox recommendation. IIRC, it was the most adjustable
one made when I bought mine. Also, most other brands were 1/2 hp whereas
the shop fox is listed as 3/4 hp. (I don't know if the extra 1/4 hp is
really necessary as mine has never bogged down in even the hardest of
woods). One other thing to note- the shop fox machine runs at 3450 rpm,
whereas most other brands run at 1725 rpm. Dunno why. It's a great
machine. --dave


"Vic Baron" wrote in message
et...

Bought the HF unit - have about the same needs as you. Went on ebay and
bought some extra chisel/bit combos. Much better than the HF originals and
the combo works fine. There are quite a few excellent quality chisel/bit
combos available that fit the HF unit. Cut 120 1/2" mortises with no
problem other than boredom.

YMMV,

Vic

"Cyrille de Brébisson" wrote in message
...
hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
have a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

I have a GI and it is fine. But like most of these units the hold down isless
than great. We mounted an x-y vice and it made a fantastic difference. Itis
much quicker to make the mortises and they are much neater (tenons fit better).
The chisels and bits that came with it were ok. I am hoping someone willreport
on the ones that Lee Valley now sells as its time to replace a couple of mine.
Cheers, JG

"Cyrille de Brébisson" wrote:

hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but Ihave
a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille

"Cyrille de Brébisson" wrote in message
...
hello,

Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
have a few questions.

- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits

any advices?

thanks, cyrille


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=35570

What is the difference between this and a DP???