Editors' Choice
The hold-downs on these machines are a disappointment. The problems were
so obvious and our fixes were so simple, it's puzzling that no manufacturer
has bothered to come up with a better system. At the very least, the manufacturers
should include a section in their owner's manuals titled something like
"Getting the Most Out of Your Mortiser" that would show how to make these
improvements. We bet most woodworkers would be willing to pay more for a
machine that they didn't have to mess with. Because none of the machines
was able to consistently cut 1/2-in. mortises without additional clamps
and fences, we've decided not to give an Editors' Choice award. We'll wait
for a basic machine with a hold-down system that's effective through the
range of its capacity.
Best Buys
With improvements to their hold-down systems, six of the machines we tested
consistently cut mortises effectively. Five of these mortisers are competitively
priced and received our Best Buy award. The sixth, the Multico PM 12, costs
$300 more. The Delta and Jet machines run at 1,725 rpm. Mortisers from Bridgewood,
Grizzly and Woodtek, which have similar castings and are virtually identical,
have fast-speed motors. These machines are a definite improvement over mortising
on the drill press. There are better ones on the market, but they cost a
lot more. At less than $250, all five of these mortisers are a bargain,
and are winners of our Best Buy award. |
 |
Bridgewood HM-11
Grizzly G3183
Delta 14-650
|
Jet JBM-5 |
Woodtek 876-775 |
|
| Model |
Street
Price Excluding Shipping |
Chisel
Sets Included |
1/2
HP Motor Amperage |
Motor
Speed (rpm) |
Fence
Square
to Table |
Chuck
Access |
Comments |
Supplier |
| Bridgewood
HM-11 |
$219 |
None |
6A @ 110V |
3,400 |
Yes |
Right hand
only |
Good performance. Powerful motor.
Adjustments require two Allen wrenches (supplied) and a screwdriver (not
supplied). Machines from Bridgewood, Grizzly and Woodtek have similar castings. |
Wilke Machinery
Co. (800) 235-2100 |
| Central Machinery
35570 |
$150 |
1/4-in., 3/8-in.
and 1/2-in. |
2.3A @ 110V |
3,580 |
No |
Both hands |
Underpowered,
but will cut small mortises, Fit between head and column is not adjustable.
Head racks under load. Fence adjustment very limited. Spring loaded return
on hand lever is potentially dangerous. |
Harbor Freight
Tools, Inc. (800) 423-2567 |
| Craftsman
351.219060 |
$200 |
None |
4A @ 120V |
1,725 |
No |
Both hands |
Comes with
tool caddy for bits and wrenches. 4-amp motor stalls under load. Fence doesn't
work well because its mounting post is offset from the chisel. |
Sears, Roebuck,
and Co. (800) 377-7414 |
| Delta 14-650
Type 2 |
$242 |
1/4-in., 5/16-in.,
3/8-in., 1/2-in. |
5A @ 120V |
1,725 |
Yes |
Both hands |
Solid performance.
One easy-to-use T-handle Allen wrench tightens everything but the chuck.
Comes with tool caddy for bits and wrenches. Spring-loaded chuck key is
a pain to use. |
Delta Intl.
Machinery Corp. (800) 438-2486 |
| Grizzly G3183 |
$225 |
None |
6A @ 110V |
3,400 |
Yes |
Right hand
only |
Good performance.
Powerful motor. Adjustments require two Allen wrenches (supplied) and a
screwdriver (not supplied). Machines from Bridgewood, Grizzly and Woodtek
have similar castings. |
Grizzly Industrial,
Inc. (800) 523-4777 |
| Jet JBM-5 |
$239 |
1/4-in., 3/8-in.,
1/2-in. |
6A @ 115V |
1,720 |
Yes |
Both hands |
Highest amperage
slow-speed motor. Spring-hinged doors allow easiest access to chuck. Best
chuck key of the group - large, with long shaft and T-handle Thumbscrew
on hold-down is hard to tighten. |
Jet Equipment
and Tools, Inc. (800) 274-6848 |
| Multico PM
12 |
$549 |
1/2-in. |
5.1A @ 110V |
3,470 |
Yes |
Both hands |
Well-built
machine, but costly. Column mounted hold-down is effective, but difficult
to tighten. One easy-to-use T-handle Allen wrench tightens everything but
the chuck. Supplied 13/16" chisel bushing won't work with inexpensive chisel
sets. Manual needs improvement. |
Garret Wade,
Inc. (800) 221-2942 |
| Woodtek 876-775 |
$240 |
None |
6A @ 110V |
3,450 |
Yes |
Right hand
only |
Good performance.
Powerful motor. Adjustments require two Allen wrenches (supplied) and a
screwdriver (not supplied). Machines from Bridgewood, Grizzly and Woodtek
have similar castings. |
Woodworker's
Supply (800) 645-9292 |
