Replies

1. 
   Jimurock | Jan 17, 2008 10:56pm | #1

   I had one once, and it was a royal PIA to set up accurately-- something you had to do every time you used it.  Some models, though not all, include a metal rod to help in the process, but it's still tedious.  You have to make sure also that the model fits the quill size of your drill press.  They may have a couple of adapters, but they won't fit every press.  I found out the hard way that Delta didn't fit mine.  The hold downs are often worthless, and the fence not much better.  I wound up making my own.

   As you may have guessed by now I'd recommend a dedicated mortiser -- I'm happy with my SC.  It takes up more space, of course, but it sure decreases my irritation level.

   Jim

2. 
   benhasajeep | Jan 17, 2008 11:13pm | #2

   I was going to go with a drill press atachemnt.  I figured on saving some money as it would not get alot of use.  Then I changed my mind.  My drill press has a large 17" swing but only 3" of quill travel.  Most of the less expensive dedicated bench top Mortisers have around 5" of depth cutting.  Not sure what projects you are considering.  But the limited quill travel on my press was the deciding factor for me.

1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 18, 2008 02:17am | #4

   Good point. I'd want a MINIMUM of 4.5" of travel. More is better. I have a benchtop drill press I don't use anymore (for a drill press) because I have a large floor model drill press now. It's amazing how much I use my big drill press in a wood shop. Who'd a thunk it. But I digress, the bench top DP is currently set up as a spindle sander, I was going to use that for the mortising, but I guess that isn't going to fly. I will just leave it set up the way it is. Thanks for the guidance. I guess I'll build the router jig and buy a lathe instead.No, I don't want the lathe for mortising...;-)

   Edited 1/17/2008 6:46 pm by jeff100

3. 
   Lataxe | Jan 18, 2008 01:32am | #3

   Jeff,

   See:

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=29914.1

   Lataxe

4. 
   Frank Vucolo | Jan 18, 2008 06:44am | #5

   Hi Jeff,

   Tried one of these years back and it was not a good experience. In addition to the difficulties mentioned already, if your chuck is attached to the spindle of your drill press with a morse taper (a tapered pressure fit) - very common, then it is possible for the chuck to come off the spindle as you try to extract the chisel from the stock. The morse taper is not designed to face much resistance in that direction.

5. 
   JamesS | Jan 18, 2008 07:06am | #6

   Had one once, gave it away. Dedicated mortiser only way to go. 5" travel?? must be BIG M & T joints??

   James

6. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 18, 2008 07:36am | #7

   From 1972 thru 1985 or there abouts I used a drill press mortise attachment and it was a pain to set up and use. Very limited on travel. It seemed every time I got it attached I needed to drill some holes and had to remove it. Finally broke down and got the Delta bench morticer and never regreted it once. They do work and I made hundreds of doors and face frames with it.

7. 
   FrankDrackman | Jan 20, 2008 01:14am | #8

   Friends don't let friends use drill press mortising attachments.

    

   Very much like banging your head against the wall... it is great when you stop.

8. 
   forestgirl | Jan 20, 2008 08:10am | #9

   "...or is a dedicated mortising machine the way to go?"  Specifically, this <click>  Unbiased opinion, of course......

   ..View Image 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 21, 2008 06:48am | #11

   VERY nice. I've got to get down to Sumner WW again when they are open. They're just down the hill from where I live. I've been there winder shoppin, cause they were closed when I managed to get down there before. Kudo's on the new tool...I assume it's living up to expectations...Jeff

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 21, 2008 07:11am | #12

   "They're just down the hill from where I live."  I'm exceedingly jealous!  Not only because you live so close to that store, but because Sumner seems like a nice area!  (Well, except for all that traffic on the highway).  I'm going to get back over there soon to look at the Steel City saws again.  They only had one left a few days before Christmas, LOL. 

   I've done very little woodworking since I bought that mortiser, so haven't put it to the test.  I did, however, pick one up off Craig's list cheap and subsequently shipped it to a Knots friend in Southern California.  He is using it to build a huge custom-designed built-in desk and bookcase, with acres of mortises.  If it can stand up to his level of use, it is indeed a hearty machine.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

9. 
   THintz | Jan 20, 2008 11:45am | #10

   I firmly believe that mortising attachments for drill presses were invented strictly for people who hate themselves or want to. See the link below for my "review" of these awful devices....

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/dpmortattachrvu.html

   Tom Hintz

   Because there is always more to learn!