Delta Mortising Kit compatibility w/PM
Aftonwood
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
I’m hoping to find someone with experience using the Delta mortising kit for drill presses (17-924) on the Powermatic 2800 drill press? It appears, from my measurement of the 2800 quill, that the kit will fit, but neither my retail store nor the Delta help line is willing to positively confirm that.
Any help you can provide is appreciated. Compatibility is the first question, and any other input on using a drill press as a mortiser would also be helpful.
Thanks,
Jerry
Replies
Most people much prefer a dedicated mortiser to the drill press conversion.
I got to tell you, that unless you only intend to use very infrequently, the Delta set on a drill press is not money well spent. Save your sheckels and buy a Jet, Powermatic, etc. bench top mortiser and keep your drill press free of the Delta nonsense. Or if cash strapped, go on ebay and buy yourself some "pigsticker" mortising chisels.
I cant help with the Delta issue on a Powermatic DP, sorry but I'll be the lone voice in the wilderness, I have the Jet Kit that used to be shipped free with their freestanding DP.
It works great but I did have to make some modifications. The hold down for the frame stock was cr*p and the hollow chisels needed sharpening and tuning. I made my own hold-down and fence and sharpened and dressed the hollow chisels. Once that was done it worked fine. I use it whenever I have more than 4 mortices to chop, less than that and it is faster to drill & pare or just chop out IMO
But mine was "free" (at least I didn't pay extra for it). If I had the space and the money I'd sooner buy a dedicated morticer and keep it set up for 1/4" mortises. Not because it doesn't work well (it does) but because it ties up your DP while it's on. Beyond that I've been well satisfied with the setup. I know people don't like them but like most any tool, if you spend some time tuning it'll work fine. It all comes down to trading your time to make a tool work the way you want it or spending the money to get one that's set to go.
FWW did an story a couple of years back which included the necessary attention needed to the hollow chisel to make it work.
Good Luck!
David
Thanks to those who provided feedback. Based on your input I've decided against the drill press mortising kit. Sounds like a dedicated mortiser is the way to go....now if the Dow would just go back above 10,000.....
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