Replies

1. 
   RickL | Aug 30, 2007 08:30pm | #1

   I chose (other) as in horizontal slot mortiser. It's not even on the list!!!!!

   Kind of funny because I learned of them through this magazine years ago and FWW never did the subject a thorough investigation. Basically it's the father of the Domino and goes back over 50 years in Europe. You make your own loose tenon stock but you can do much larger tenons than the Domino and you can use it as a horizontal boring machine. The rpm's typically are 3,500 to 5,000. I prefer endmills for the cutter.  I'd never get rid of it for a Domino.

2. 
   Buster2000 | Aug 30, 2007 10:34pm | #2

   I choose router because it's s lick way to do it...  I'm just as likely to use a drill press though.

   
   

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   Edited 8/30/2007 3:34 pm by Buster2000

3. 
   murphreejz | Aug 30, 2007 11:17pm | #3

   I use an elk femur with a shark tooth tied to the end with a piece of leather. I hollow ground it to 30deg and honed a 2deg secondary bevel. The elk femur has a piece of Hornbeam laminated to the end for durability. I can really tap on that thing.

4. 
   KeithNewton | Aug 31, 2007 12:29am | #4

   Powermatic chain-mortiser Model 15.

   I could cut a 2" x 1/2" x 4" deep mortise faster than I can type the brand-name.

5. 
   BioBill | Aug 31, 2007 01:02am | #5

   My vote for "other" is to vote for my handmade horizontal mortiser that is mounted on the side of my table saw.

6. 
   user-189524 | Aug 31, 2007 05:33am | #6

   The Leigh Jig. It's fast, accurate, easy to set up, and adjustments when necessary are not difficult.

7. 
   jdgese | Aug 31, 2007 08:14am | #7

   Hi,
   I cut mortises with my 30+ year old Inca table saw with mortising table. Guess I'm just used to it after all this time.
   J. Gese , Spokane

8. 
   jvk | Aug 31, 2007 11:35am | #8

   Leighs FMT... I guess that could also be listed as  "router"

   trimjim
9. 
   knuts | Aug 31, 2007 02:33pm | #9

   Woodrat for me

10. 
    Routerman | Aug 31, 2007 04:29pm | #10

    Grouter.

11. 
    Fronk | Aug 31, 2007 06:54pm | #11

    Japanese mortise chisels (can be had from Japan Woodworker in Alameda, CA) along with the outrageously-priced (but worth it) Hiroki oval-faced chisel hammers.  Took me a while to learn to use them correctly, but the speed, accuracy, and most importantly, fexibility, has made it well worth the effort.  No set-ups, no test pieces, no fooling with jigs or drills or bits -- just chop your chosen mortise in easy or awkward pieces -- straight frame & panel work, moritised miters, duble tenons, haunched tennons -- all the same.  Fix the piece firmly, chop the mortise, fit the tenon & move on.  A must for one-of-a-kind work.  Not for production runs -- set up your machinery for that.

12. 
    WillGeorge | Aug 31, 2007 08:08pm | #12

    I have a Jet Hollow chisel mortiser and it works OK.. Well, sort of in my mind. BUT.. Nothing like the SMOOOOTH cut I get with my routers. (I LOVE ROUTERS!)...

    Yes I have to square up the ends.. BUT I have some sharp chisels also!

13. 
    bones | Aug 31, 2007 10:16pm | #13

    Grizzly horizontal boring machine.

    Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
    If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
    And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
    
14. 
    PeterDurand | Aug 31, 2007 11:39pm | #14

    Leigh jig.

     

15. 
    philip_r | Sep 01, 2007 12:26am | #15

    Depends on the project.  I'll use the Leigh FMT or a bench mortiser.  I like the Leigh if I have a bunch of them to do.

    I'm currently working on a gardening bench for my wife.  All of the stretchers were done with the mortiser and table saw (32 in all) and all of the slats were done with the FMT (50 slats = 100 M&T). 

16. 
    Scrit | Sep 02, 2007 06:46pm | #16

    Whilst I use a square chisel mortiser I don't do that many mortises now. For volume joinery work I thinjk you need to go a long way to beat a chain mortiser or a Maka mortiser, though

    Scrit

17. 
    frenchy | Sep 03, 2007 03:57am | #17

    Ruth

       I usually use a chain morticer.  On the other hand my mortices are on timbers as large as 12"x12"

18. 
    [email protected] | Sep 03, 2007 04:06am | #18

    WoodRat, and a sharp chisel. 

19. 
    Scrit | Sep 03, 2007 01:41pm | #19

    .....the better question would have been "What do you do to match the tenon to the morise?" Dats where the money is. Ha. Who's gonna be the first bid? Can I get a tablesaw cutter?

    There's a few answers to that one: single-end tenoner, spindle moulder (shaper) with tenoning table and cutterblocks, bandsaw, etc, etc. Can't say I go much on using the table saw and holding the work upright - way to fraught for me

    Scrit

20. 
    Disputantum | Sep 03, 2007 03:05pm | #20

    I use both hand chisels and the drill press. Sometimes I cut mortises 1/4" wide by several inches long by several inches deep. I've never seen a router bit, hollow chisel, or specialty tool able to do that.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 05, 2007 04:09pm | #21

   I use both hand chisels and the drill press. Sometimes I cut mortises 1/4" wide by several inches long by several inches deep. I've never seen a router bit, hollow chisel, or specialty tool able to do that... quote Disputantum

   **********************************

   You have now! :>)

   Sarge.. john thompson

    

   
1. 
   Buster2000 | Sep 07, 2007 02:18am | #22

   Sarg,

   How deep are the mortises?

   I was a total drill press chisel guy until I use the router in a class recently.  It is a really slick method, and in my experience faster and cleaner the the drill press.  Of course you're limited to standard widths and lengths of router bits...  I use the router not for most of my 'standard' mortises.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 07, 2007 07:10am | #24

   Morning Buster..

   I can cut 2" deep with a standard CMT chisel.. if I put a Forest City industrial bit on it we go to 5 1/2" pushing 6" deep and 1 1/2" wide. The Forest City are somewhat expensive and the shank has to be modified in length, but you gotta do what you gotta do if you need em that deep.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. john thompson

1. 
   Buster2000 | Sep 07, 2007 09:06am | #26

   Sweet...

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 07, 2007 04:33am | #23

   Hey Sarge,

   Where's the suicide knob for the steering wheel?

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 07, 2007 07:15am | #25

   Morning Bob...

   Yep.. that's what replaced the SF now in your shop. I had plans for an air horn and a Mopar pistol grip shifter.. but will consider the suicide knob as all intentions are to race the little puppy in the Daytona 500 this Febuary. ha.. ha... ha..ha..ha..

   Regards...

   Sarge.. john thompson