Replies

1. 
   BrentS | Oct 21, 2005 12:43am | #1

   Willy,

   Use the plunge router. Mortice attachments for drill presses are more trouble than they're worth. A drill press isn't designed for the amount of pressure needed for the chisel to cut properly.

    

   Brent

1. 
   Biscardi | Oct 21, 2005 12:46am | #2

   Willy,

    

   I would agree with Brent. My chisel mortiser is a dissapointment.

   Frank

2. 
   ClevelandEd | Oct 21, 2005 12:57am | #3

   I would like to do a similar number of storm windows here too. 

   Please consider posting your progress reports. 

1. 
   willy | Oct 21, 2005 01:19am | #4

   T.Y. for all the comments, and yes, I'll keep you posted - - as soon as I get my Elu Router back from the repair shop with a new switch.

2. 
   willy | Nov 13, 2005 02:47am | #9

   O.K., I made the templates for the 1/4" and 1/2" moritses.  I followed the instructions on pgs 76 & 77 of FW # 121 - Dec 96.  The 1/4" template turned o.k. as it required a 3/8" O.D. slot for the template guide and I had the correct bit size.  The 1/2" mortise required a 5/8" slot for the template guide.  I tried using my 1/2" router bit and expanding it to 5/8" but messed up so I revered to drilling a series of 5/8" holes on the drill press and used a rasp to clean up the slot. Next time I would buy the 5/8" router bit.  Anyway, the templates worked o.k. and I'm cutting the tenons on the table saw using a set of dado blades. 

   Next time I would use a little more care and positioning but I would again go for a template.

    

1. 
   ClevelandEd | Nov 13, 2005 06:26am | #10

   Hey, thanks! 

   My library will have that old issue of FW.

   If I can't master this, I'll just have to try using dowels.  

1. 
   willy | Nov 13, 2005 05:38pm | #11

   Just a couple other comments - - the picture on pg 77 shows the "hardboard template" held back from the "squared piece of scrapwood".  For my 1/4" mortise, I did not keep the template back from the squared piece, I had it flush and it created problems.  Again on the 1/4" template, it was not the correct distance from the squared piece; ie. it was greater than it should have been.  This did not create a  problem as I folded a magazine cover sufficient times to insert between the workpiece and the squared piece of scrapwood and got the mortise dead on. Again my squared piece of scrapwood was less than 2" square- - it should have been at least 2" square.  More is better !!

   There is another thread in this forum - # 26431.8 from TomT226 in "Joinery-Mortise template" which also describes a method of making the mortises.  I'm not sure how to get to that thread.

3. 
   artd10 | Oct 21, 2005 02:09am | #5

   Sounds like justification to buy a Grizzly G0540 horizontal boring machine/slot mortiser. It would make that job easy.  Art

4. 
   Pondfish | Oct 21, 2005 03:09am | #6

   I have a mortise attachment for my Delta drill press; I hardly ever use it.  I'll gladly make a mortising template for a router using some 1/4" ply and a straight piece of scrap, and mortise away.  Works great with floating tenons--strong, precise joints without the hassle of planing down your cheeks, shoulders (and sometimes knuckles!)

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
5. 
   Floss | Oct 21, 2005 05:49am | #7

   willy,

   Go with bridle joints. Use the table saw to cut everything. Buy a good epoxy or other exterior rated adhesive. Take the wife out for a nice dinner with the money you saved from not having to buy a new tool.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com

   
   

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   Edited 10/20/2005 10:50 pm ET by JP

6. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 21, 2005 07:46pm | #8

   The stiles are spruce.

   Get some straight grained spruce ( I made a boat ffom it in the late 60' and it still floats ) Looks like hell but water worthy!

   Go with what you do best.. Router or that brass hammer and chisels..

   By the way.. Tell him that OLD glass breaks very easy! AND NOT YOUR FAULT!

   GEEEE me spellins'

   
   

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   Edited 10/21/2005 12:48 pm by WillGeorge

7. 
   generalkael | Nov 13, 2005 06:05pm | #12

   You should do them by hand. In the end you will be a master at making mortises with chisels, and probably a couple years older. :) Heh, just kidding!

   I recommend a plunge router and a mortising jig. Many magazines and books have plans for them.

   Scott
   Slacker Extraordinaire
   Specializing in nothing but knowledge in everything.
1. 
   willy | Nov 13, 2005 08:29pm | #13

   I use a plunge router, Scott.  Tell me about your mortising jig.

1. 
   AlanWS | Nov 13, 2005 10:26pm | #14

   I don't now if this is what he was thinking of, but here's a mortising jig for a plunge router: http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=29
   When I got my first router, one of the first things I did with it was to use this jig to cut mortises. (I followed Tage Frid's book, not these web instructions, but they are the same.)Learning to use the router, making the jig, and cutting the 16 mortises accurately for the project took a couple of afternoons. It might have gone quicker if I'd had a tablesaw to dimension the stock.

2. 
   ClevelandEd | Nov 15, 2005 02:34am | #15

   do them by hand ...Heh, just kidding!

   I have considered doing mine by hand, but I don't trust my skills.  I hand cut mortices and tennons once years ago in a class type setting.  Results weren't great.  Twisted joints and some lose fitting tennons.

   So I'll probably make this a Winter project and use the message boards here to help me get it done.

    

    

8. 
   pqken | Nov 15, 2005 03:42pm | #16

   Don't know if you want to go this route but I made a horizontal router that slides on sealed bearings. I used the plan from "Router Magic". Makes mortises quick and easy. Another option is a mortise machine. FWW had an article on them a couple of issues back.

1. 
   willy | Nov 15, 2005 05:47pm | #17

   T.Y., pqken for your suggestions.  I'm finished my mortising project but will keep your suggestions in mind for the future.