Hollow Chisel Mortiser

[Fawteen]

I've got a table-mounted router. Can you describe how you do mortises with your router table?

[Al_Wa]

Paul, I have a door hinge mortising jig from Sears that clamps on the door and the Jamb. It has a couple of different hinge templates for round corner hinges. Works with a normal router and assures a good match door to jamb. I think I spent about $50 bucks 20 years ago.

[Hank]

Thanks, but a shop full of dedicated machinery does go a long way in stretching ones' skills [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

[em14]

Yes, but it sure takes the know how and skill to do such a nice job!
Leo

[egon]

It's not really how many tools you have but the skill in using the tools. Don't be modest cause that's a nice piece of work.

Egon

[Boondox]

I use a carbide spiral bit with an uptwist (to clear the dust) in the table and a stop block mounted to the fence. I make my first pass pretty shallow (maybe 1/8 inch), then quarter inch increases till the mortise is the proper depth. Tenons are made using the same basic technique, though with a different bit. There's a great article in the Fine Woodworking On Joinery book.

Pete

[Boondox]

Yeah, the breakin came as a surprise to me. If I find the article and you have a fax number I could flip it your way. PM me if that's an option.

Pete

[Boondox]

Hey, I found the article! It was in the August 2003 issue of Workbench magazine. Delta took top honors for fit and finish, while Jet took top value.

Pete

[Fawteen]

Yeah, I chased that down too, but it appears that issue is not available.

I'm still gathering info before I make a decision, but am leaning heavily towards the Delta.

[AndyF]

Have you looked at the Powermatic? Its a lot more money, but seems to be very well built.

The Delta set that mounts on a drill press will do a good job. I've had one for about five years now and it does OK. Although many times I end up just using a Forstner bit and a chisel because it is quicker to set up.