Craftsmanship skill is essential for woodworking projects though it is only one of the most important art. Having an appropriate tool will not only enhance your skill but also helps you to finish your project more efficiently and effectively. A mortising machine is undoubtedly one of the key tools in wood crafting. It is useful for cutting holes in the wood or timber. Traditionally, this would be done by hand by using chisel and mallet; however, with the advance of technology, using a mortising machine will help you to achieve a smoother and more flawless cut.
Now you are probably in consideration of getting a mortising machine yet still doubtful of which one to get since there are so many choices out there. In this article, we have picked 10 of the best mortising machines based on their great reviews from other carpenters. We hope that this will help you make the right purchase!
Contents
List of the 10 Best Mortising Machine in 2024
Product Reviews
10. Jet Bench Mortiser
This powerful Jet 708580 bench mortiser is an affordable and value for money mortising tool. Thanks to its heavy-duty construction, the Jet 708580 has great durability and stability that will produce quality outcome with every use. Based on its quality, it will surely last in the long run which makes it a good investment. It operates on a 1,752 rpm motor providing a speedy and smooth cut.
The machine has a toggle switch to ensure a safe operation. The handle adjustment allows you to choose the most suitable position for easier operation. Along with the machine, you will also find a chuck key and three bits in the package with the instruction guide included. The company also offers a 5-year purchasing warranty as well.
9. Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser
One of the significant features of the Powermatic PM701 is that it has an in-line depth stop that you can stop the cut at a preset depth without having to rack the mortiser drill bit down the base. The machine is powered on ¾ horsepower with a 115 volt motor and runs on 1725 RPM speed. Powermatic PM701 has a handle that can be installed on both sides without tools -a thoughtful feature for left-handed crafters.
Another feature of this Powermatic PM701 is the cam lock that can be quickly locked into one position with 90-degree movement. You can set it once and need not adjust it again thanks to its lock nuts. The machine weighs 90 pounds and requires some assembly. The package included the mortiser, a ¾ inch chisel, an adaptor for chuck extension, a chuck key and a handle. The machine also comes with a 1 year warranty.
8. Shop Fox W1671 3/4 HP Heavy-duty Mortising Machine
This heavy-duty mortising machine has been claimed to be specially designed to provide you what other mortising machines available on the market are lacking. With its ½ inch drill chuck, a quick-setting and extra long handle, and in-line depth stop, you can be sure of a satisfying piece of work with each use. The base fence is constructed with heavy cast iron providing stability that holds the wood well during the operation.
The swivel base is unique and can be set-up for extra height and depth capacity. The Shop Fox W1671 also has a removable key to assure a safety operation. A 2-year warranty is offered with the purchase.
7. WEN 43012 5-Amp Cast Iron Bench Mortiser with Chisel Bit Set
Equipped with a 5-amp motor, the WEN 43102 makes any of your work easier. Its sturdy base is built with cast iron and it is designed with a 13 ½ by 6 inch table that can hold up to 3 ½ inch thick board. The handle is rotatable freely. It also has an onboard depth so you can be sure to always drill up to your intended distance every time. Along with the mortiser itself, the package includes three chisel bits, a chisel bushing and a 2-year warranty.
6. RIKON Professional Power Tools Benchtop X/Y Mortiser, 34-260
With this RIKON benchtop mortiser, you will never again get the wrong positioning of your work thanks to its unique design feature of the X-Y axis table. This powerful RIKON mortising machine is equipped with ½ HP motor that runs 1750 RPM giving even your toughest chunk of wood a consistent and accurate cut without stalling. The machine also has a tool holder at the side to keep your bits and tool secured and organized in one location for convenient access.
It is built with a gas filled stabilizer to help with the control of chisel motion downward or upward during your operation. If you are looking for a mortising machine that works well and offers great precision work, this one’s for you.
5. Grizzly Industrial G0645-1/2 HP Benchtop Mortising Machine
This Grizzly benchtop mortising machine enhances your woodworking precision thanks to its dovetail column that comes with a rack-and-pinion head control cast-iron overall construction. The machine is designed with a large table surface and can work with a maximum block of up to 6 inch. Its ½ horsepower can work through any type of wood with ease. The machine also comes with 4 chisels. At the back of the column is a tool storage to store your chisel and bits conveniently.
4. WEN 4208 8 in. 5-Speed Drill Press
This mortising machine by WEN operates on ⅓ horsepower and can be adjusted between 5 speeds to be versatile with your project and different type of materials being worked with. The WEN 4208 has a cast iron constructed base, table and head with a rigid frame guarantee a consistent and precise drill in every operation.
It is designed with a built-in onboard key storage for placing your tools in an organized way to prevent losing any small bits. Another feature is the locking depth adjustment where you can set the spindle motion for repeatable operation and ensure an accurate drilling.
3. Triton TDJ600 Duo Dowelling Jointer 710W, 5.9A
Our top 3 mortising machine is the TDJ600 by Triton. Triton Precision Power Tools is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of woodworking tools that was established in 1976. They produce a wide range of powerful woodworking tools for both professional and home woodworkers.
The Triton TDJ600 is an ideal mortising tool for working on corner joints. The anti-slip pads eliminate any unwanted movement during the operation to ensure a quick and accurate jointing. Its carbon brush is replaceable if worn out. The package comes with the machine itself and also an additional dowel jointer, 2 5/16 inch drill bits, a dust port adaptor, key and included with a manual as well.
2. RIKON Power Tools 34-255 Bench Top Mortise with Table Extensions
Here we have another mortising tool from RIKON making it on the list. RIKON designed this benchtop mortising machine with a table extension. It runs on ½ HP power with a 1700RPM motor that quickly drill mortising woods without any stalling. The dovetail column with adjustable stop ensures an accurate and consistent cut of multiple mortises. As for the handle, it is rotate freely giving you control for the drilling operation.
It also has a gas filled stabilizer that helps with the control of chisel motion upwardly or downwardly while working on mortising. With the purchase of this Power Tools 43-255, RIKON offers up to a 5-year warranty on technical parts so you are assured of a long-lasting great quality tool for your woodworking projects.
1. Delta 14-651 1/2″ Mortiser
Specially designed for professional carpenters, this Delta 14-651 mortising machine is an exceptional tool that is easily set up and operated. With its multi-position handle with easy rotation, you can conveniently work on tricky parts of the wood. It’s easy to work even with hardwood making it the best tool and a must-have item for any professional wood crafters. Delta 14-651 operated by ½ HP, 120 volt, single-phase motor provides a smooth and flawless result with every use.
To ensure a steady operation, the Delta 14-651 is constructed with cast iron base which also has a premade hole in the center for easy mortising. The package comes including the mortiser itself, a ⅜ inch key and chuck, 4 mortising bits and chisels, tool storage and a riser block. A 5-year warranty also comes upon purchasing.
Buying Guide
If your woodworking projects require a lot of cutting and mortising, getting a mortising machine is a must. Not only will it enhance the quality of your work but also make your work more efficient as well. However, choosing the right mortising machine can be tough as there are so many types of them. With a few tips below, we hope it can help you make the right purchase to save you time and money.
The design: This is a really important aspect when choosing a mortising machine. Some machines are designed specifically for certain types of wood or material. To be versatile in your work and maximize the usage of the tool, you should look out for one that is designed in a way that it can be adjusted to work with various sizes of wood pieces or other materials.
Build quality: Your tool is an investment, that’s why purchasing the right one is crucial. Carefully check the material of the machine to ensure its durability. The build quality also concerns the stability of the base and other parts of the machine such as the handle. They should be able to function steadily to achieve a smooth and consistent result.