hello,
Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I have
a few questions.
- is it really worth it?
- is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
month type thing)
- I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
any advices?
thanks, cyrille
Cyrille de Br=E9bisson wrote:
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I h=
ave
> a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usual=
ly
> is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
> pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
In a recent FWW tool guide, they gave a very good review to the Delta
14-651. (Tops were General International and Woodtek, in that
order...both very substantially more expensive.)
I just bought one last night on Amazon...they had it on sale for $199,
and with the $20-off promo, that brought it in at $179, with free
delivery to boot. For that money, I couldn't say no. (Woodcraft sells
the same machine for $269.)
I just looked, and the price has risen to $229, but that now qualifies
for the $40-off promo, so your delivered cost is just $10 more.
I (obviously) haven't used the tool yet, nor any other mortiser, so
can't answer you about which is the best model, other than based on a
single review.
But I sure as ^%$# can't wait to get mine. It comes with four chisels
as well, which I figure are probably crap chisels too, but an
_excellent_ opportunity for me to learn to sharpen them, probably burn
the &^%$ out of them, then throw them away and get better quality once
I've gotten over the learning curve.
"Cyrille de Brébisson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
> have a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
> usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
> expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
>
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35570
What is the difference between this and a DP???
I have a GI and it is fine. But like most of these units the hold down is=
less
than great. We mounted an x-y vice and it made a fantastic difference. It=
is
much quicker to make the mortises and they are much neater (tenons fit be=
tter).
The chisels and bits that came with it were ok. I am hoping someone will=
report
on the ones that Lee Valley now sells as its time to replace a couple of =
mine.
Cheers, JG
"Cyrille de Br=E9bisson" wrote:
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I=
have
> a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a=
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usu=
ally
> is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect =
to
> pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
Cyrille de Brébisson wrote:
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I have
> a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff usually
> is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I expect to
> pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
>
>
Personally I like the results from an upcut spiral bit over a mortising
unit.
dave
I'll second the shop fox recommendation. IIRC, it was the most adjustable
one made when I bought mine. Also, most other brands were 1/2 hp whereas
the shop fox is listed as 3/4 hp. (I don't know if the extra 1/4 hp is
really necessary as mine has never bogged down in even the hardest of
woods). One other thing to note- the shop fox machine runs at 3450 rpm,
whereas most other brands run at 1725 rpm. Dunno why. It's a great
machine. --dave
"Vic Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Bought the HF unit - have about the same needs as you. Went on ebay and
> bought some extra chisel/bit combos. Much better than the HF originals and
> the combo works fine. There are quite a few excellent quality chisel/bit
> combos available that fit the HF unit. Cut 120 1/2" mortises with no
> problem other than boredom. :)
>
> YMMV,
>
> Vic
>
> "Cyrille de Brébisson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> hello,
>>
>> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
>> have a few questions.
>>
>> - is it really worth it?
>> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
>> month type thing)
>> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
>> usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
>> expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>>
>> any advices?
>>
>> thanks, cyrille
>>
>
>
I needed one for a cradle I made my Gdaughter. After checking the reviews I
went with the Shop Fox and am very happy with it. Check at www.grizzly.com
for latest prices. I also bought the set of chisels they sell. Still sharp
after 160 holes in butternut and white oak.
Have fun,
Al in WA
[email protected]
"Cyrille de Brébisson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
> have a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
> usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
> expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
>
Bought the HF unit - have about the same needs as you. Went on ebay and
bought some extra chisel/bit combos. Much better than the HF originals and
the combo works fine. There are quite a few excellent quality chisel/bit
combos available that fit the HF unit. Cut 120 1/2" mortises with no problem
other than boredom. :)
YMMV,
Vic
"Cyrille de Brébisson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hello,
>
> Iam planning to buy a mortising machine for an upcomming project, but I
> have a few questions.
>
> - is it really worth it?
> - is the $99 HF machine good enough for light usage (like a 1 project a
> month type thing)
> - I imagine that the HF mortising bits are crap (this type of stuff
> usually is crap at HF), but how crap are they really, how much should I
> expect to pay in a "real" place (woodcraft) for the bits
>
> any advices?
>
> thanks, cyrille
>