Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 23, 2002 07:33am | #1

   You didn't mention Shop Fox.  I don't know about the General, but Shop Fox has gotten better magazine and user reviews than the others you listed.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 24, 2002 03:57am | #3

      Thanks for the reply.  Didn't expect many as I was relatively specific.  You actually lead me down a road I probaly wouldn't have traveled if you had not have mentioned Shop Fox.  Bart replied with his message about having one and that got me moving.  Found local S/F dealer 30 miles from me.  Took day off to have a look..  Amazing what I discovered!  Read my thanks comment to Bart for results as it will prove your theory and his reponse very positive.  I'm a 5 day old rookie with a computer so please excuse any errors I make as at this point.  I can tear down a cabinet saw and tune it B-4 I can get a message entered. 

      Thanks again..  Sarge

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 24, 2002 08:00am | #5

   Congrats Sarge!  I just couldn't let you go without mentioning the Shop Fox.  Sounds like all your WWing stars were aligned just right. 

   PS:  your posts look fine to me!  Welcome to cyberworld.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Vibart2 | Jul 23, 2002 07:43am | #2

   I have the Shop Fox it is bigger & heavier than the other regular bench top mortisers. I works real good the action is smooth & the hold down works good too. I would say this mortiser is what I consider 1/2 way between the other benchtop mortisers & the heavy duty floor model mortisers. I am glad I waited.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 24, 2002 05:42am | #4

      Thanks for the response.  Forest Girl opened the door and your response sent me to local Shop Fox dealer I wasn't even aware of.  I had engineer square and micrometer in hand.  Yep!  You were right, this benchtop mortiser runs circles around the other 4 competors  I looked at.  It weights 90 lbs., has dual columns and a 22 lever.  Also has a 3/4 HP motor.  It is just impressive sitting there.  I checked machining and I found fence off only .002, which can be corrected easily with shims instead fo grinding.  Table off .002, also easily corrected.  Throw away the tabletop that comes with it and replace with phonelic and you.ve got a competitor that  runs cirlces around everything else in the benchtop class.  Local dealer retailed it for $219..  He was out of stock except for the floor display.  I told him that another dealer about 40 miles away had it in stock and I needed one today!  (poker bluff).. 

      I.m happy to report that floor model is sitting in my shop at the price of $185.  He has some wood sitting in a barrel & I asked does he also deal in wood.  Nope.  Cust had given to him with trade in on tool and he asked me to make a offer.  Offered  him $20. Sold!  I also walked away with 5lbs of Ebony and  2 pieces of  Padouk 1/2 x 6 x 4**  He had no idea ebony sells about $30 a lb local. I've had a good day thanks to you and Forest Girl!!!

      Many thanks,  Sarge

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 24, 2002 08:02am | #6

   PS:  Please explain about replacing the table with phenolic.  What are the benefits?  Thanks!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 24, 2002 05:55pm | #7

      I don,t have a clue!  Sounds impressive on paper though,doesn,t it.  O.K. Just kidding.  If we insure that we have a flat fence,table and base we are in position to set up a square cut.  If anything is out of alignment we won't get it.  The table that comes with the mortiser we are talking about is particle board with a 1/32nd melanite coating.  There is exposed p/b on the sides.  What is unique about wood that we don,t have to deal with in metal and plastics is it moves with moisture content.  So, the solution is get rid of that top and replace with something that doesn,t move. You can use whatever; I prefer phenolic as it is hard, basically friction free and wont warp.  Same stuff they use on router table inserts. 

      With the mortiser, if the workpiece is not square underneath the hold-down it will rack (twist) and the chisel binds.  Pain. Difficult to remove without splitting workpiece or damaging chisel.  C-4 plastic explosive gets it out quick but makes a terrible mess.  Hope this answers your question. Remember, keep everything square and enjoy more precise work!!

   Happy woodworking.. Sarge.

1. 
   Vibart2 | Jul 24, 2002 10:29pm | #8

   Sarge

   I am glad you liked the Shop Fox mortiser.

   Where do you get your phenolic. I am in the small town of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island in Washington not to far I think from Forest Girl. So would you use 3/4" phenolic for the table base & 1/2" for the fence?

   Bart

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 25, 2002 02:38am | #10

      Get the phenolic fron a friend in the plastic world. Highland Hardware here in Atlanta has it available but sheets are not listed in cat.  It's over by the router section.  They have 1/2 sheets probaly 12 x 6 and may can get bigger by order?  You could use Lexan , plexi-glass etc.  Also you may take 3/4 birch plywood and laminate top formica and seal sides with 3 coats poly.  Hey, you,re only limited by your imagination!

      By the way, our mortiser runs at 3450 RPM.  Have you had problem with scorching wood?  I prefer a 1725 RPM even though 3450 will get it done quicker and be more aggressive in harder woods.  The scorch won't  show when tenon joined: but you will dis-temper the chisel and make the metal brittle.  This relates to never getting it to hold a proper edge again.  Learn the proper feed in scrap various woods you use and avoid this problem.  Unless you are a production shop patience is a virtue..

      Highland Hardware 800-241-6748 remember we're EST in Atlanta

   Have a good un.  Sarge.

3. 
   blodal | Jul 24, 2002 10:39pm | #9

   What model is your Shop Fox? I just saw a model # W1671 at Northwestpowertools.com for $182.00. Is it the same? Shipping adds $80.00 (they apparently have a high rate of damage on UPS, so suggested truck delivery).  Are there other sources?

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 25, 2002 04:01am | #11

      Yep' it's a w1671.  That is a great price till they add truck freight.  Do you pay sales tax or is the company out of state to you.  Usually truck freight damages more than UPS.  My company ships 2000 packages a day and only gets about 3% damage.  We do 40 a day truck and get 12%.  ???

      Let's see if we can get you connected so you can price shop!  Prepare to copy..  http://www.woodstockinternational.com  800-840-8420  This is the company that runs the "big show" for Shop Fox.  Call them direct and tell them where you're at and they will give you names and phone #s of closest dealers.  I did have to give the young lady that answered the phone a little help with geography. Just know what state you're in and you'll get there eventually.  HA!   

      Hey. come to think of it I'm not so bright myself.  I never dealt with computers till 6 days ago and it's whupping me bad!!!  

   GOOD LUCK..Sarge.  

5. 
   blodal | Jul 25, 2002 05:24pm | #12

   Thanks for the info. Looks like you are doing great on the computer. Keep up the good work.