Thread: WIP Multi Slot Mortising Machine

Looks like it should do the trick SB.

Or you could get a domino ...

Tex B, I hate playing with domino's so it will have to do the trick, anyhow domino's cost many mor bucks that I find very hard to justify.

Here are some pics of todays work whereby I've made the base and table top. I'm now working on the mechanical draw sliders for the mid section.

SB

I've now had some more time in the workshop and have completed the first sections that include the sliding mid section and top section. I now need to work on the top router section and control lever assembly which will take a little time to get right. The plans seem very good and easy to follow with only a few missing measurements that I have been able to work out my self but it would have been nice if all measurements were included. It's also a pitty there are no written process steps to follow as this would be good to have so I make the jig in the right order, at this stage I don't know if I should assemble what I've already done. It's not crucial but just reasuring to have a guide to follow. I will hopefully finish this mortiser by the end of next week if SWMBO will get out of my way.

SB

Another day and some more work, I've made a handle and some stop blocks today out of red gum for hardness and strength. I also had to make a couple of knobs and believe me they look better in real life but I guess a picture doesn't lie.

SB

Well two days in the workshop and not every thing goes the way you want it but I've got the control assembly made and here is the 1/2" router I'm going to use. It's a Makita 3600 and a very smooth operator as well. It's a pitty to use this one as it is in perfect order and knows how a router should work, but no one wanted it when my dad tried to sell it at a garage sale two years ago now for $20. I just removed the body from the base, it just slides out and hay presto. Now I'm stuck with a router base I can't use.

SB

I am replying so I can watch the progress. The email option is now active.

We are now starting to get to the end of this project and by tomorrow or Saturday, I should have it made. All is ready to be assembled on Friday if everything goes right, we will see if the gods are in my favour or not. The pics are of the top assembly that will carry the router carriage up and down on the shafts that I will install. The second pic shows the carriage scooped out for the router to sit. I plan on making a few mods to this jig that I hope will improve it a little, especially support for the router and some rewiring to use the original router handle with its on/off switch.

SB

The gods were not too bad today but I didn't get it all finished as I hoped. Got the second shaft to put in and the winding system but it's getting there and starting to look like what it should do. Note I managed to find a use for the Makita router handle with on/off switch as a power control system.

SB

Almost there now, I got the second shaft in and the winding mech installed. I don't plan on using the full winding system as the plans as I hope to attach a digital caliper for height measuments. The second shaft is also not part of the design but I liked the challenge of just doing it, cann't make life too easy. I know there are some minor adjustments needed to make it better for my way of using this jig. I only need to do some finishing and a little paint to make it all look nice and new. Did I take it for a little trial spin you ask, you bet and did it perform as the video showed, you bet it did. A full work out maybe on Sunday with pics.

All finished now and it works just great, did a trial of some mortises and works just like the video shows it working. Check out Multi slot mortising machine

I will be keeping this machine as it is impressive and cost me under $100 to make. I did have the router and draw slides to start with but anyone could do it with a second hand router and draw slides for between $80-$250 I think and would cost more if you wanted a more expensive router and new sliders.

I will put a digital height gauge on later but for now I've settled on some steel rules that will do the job. If you don't like the colour blame the dog, he barked when I pointed to the colours to choose from after I said "what colour do you think I should paint it". Enjoy

SB

...great work SB. Will be super if you could post some more pics of making the mortises.
... have to tell you though, your dog is gay

Glenn

Thank you for the work in progress.

It's the greatest mortising machine" !!! (IMO)
I've seen a video of the machine ..., and always be amazed just seeing it work. Dreaming to build one someday...

Thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by hcim

It's the greatest mortising machine" !!! (IMO)
I've seen a video of the machine ..., and always be amazed just seeing it work. Dreaming to build one someday...

Thanks for sharing

Don't dream, do it, it really is as good as the video.
I'm not allowed to put the plans on the forum as part of the copyright conditions but I am allowed to pm if some one wants a copy. Anyhow they were about $15 Aust to buy. If some one does make one, remember you need a spiral up cutting bit. The best price I got was from McJings.

Wolfen has asked me to post some pictures of mortises and tenons cut with this machine but the video really says it all. I don't cut many unless required for a project and I'm at the stage in my current project whereby I don't need to cut any. It's the taking out and cleaning up and putting it all away again that's putting me off. One day I'll have a shed where I can put it on its own table ready for use at any time. Anyhow, when I do use it again and I'm keen to use it again, I'll post some pics OK. Also by then I'll have some jigs made for the twisted angled tenons that I need to cut for my rocking chairs.

SB