Thread: Drill press morticer adaptation

bobz

Looks pretty neat to me.

You've obviously been using a mortice attachment in a drill press for a while. I've been reading through many of the forum's mortising threads to see how most people do it. There are obviously those who prefer using mortising chisels in a bench drill and those who prefer using a router and jig.

I have a router and, like you, a heavy duty metal drilling floor stand drill press and can't decide which way to go. I'm new to wood working and have a project which requires lots of m&t joints.

Some people say they have tried a drill press attachment and found it inaccurate, fiddly and you need a side feed vice. Others say that using a router is more difficult because a jig is required and also because you have to take it more slowly removing small amounts of wood each time. If I've got it right.

Do you have any advice on this. Why do you prefer to use the drill press? I'd appreciate your views?

Cheers
C

Hello Chisel
Yes you can use a router to cut your mortices, but you do end up with mortices with rounded ends which have to be squared up with a chisel, or the tenons have to be rounded on thier edges with a rasp to fit in the motices. Also using the router is much more dustier. A morticer creates wood chips so it`s better for your health. If you can equipt your drill press with a mortice attachment, that`s one less dedicated machine required taking up room in the workshop. When you have a small workshop like mine, doubling the use of a machine can be beneficial. My old bench drill press had some play in the quill and the morticer did`nt work very well, but this new machine is built like a tank with no play in the quill at all. The morticer works beutifully. I`m also impressed with the keyless chuck, it works much better than I thought, I had intended to replace the chuck with a keyed one but I`m sticking with this one now.

Thanks bobz

You make some good points. What brand is your mortice attachment? Would you buy the same brand again, if you were in the market?

Chisel

When i bought a mortice attachment from H&F it had lots of half round steel packing for the attachment.



Jemoge

Originally Posted by Chisel

Some people say they have tried a drill press attachment and found it inaccurate, fiddly and you need a side feed vice.

C

The main problem with the mortice attachments is the small fence and hold downs. It is also a good idea to give the chisels a sharpen before use as they are not too sharp straight out of the box.

Australian Woodsmith Issue 38 had a plan for a morticing table for use with a morticing attachment, makes it a much more user friendly tool.

http://www.australianwoodsmith.com.au/

American Woodsmith have the original article in Issue 157
American Woodsmith

Vertiacc has a morticeing attachment,added to the table.



www.vertiacc.com

Watch for review on www.onlinetoolreviews.com



Jemoge

Originally Posted by Sprog

The main problem with the mortice attachments is the small fence and hold downs.

Thanks Sprog, and thanks for the suggested references. Thanks to others too.

I'm starting to get the picture. While it's easy to buy a mortice chisel for a drill press there doesn't seem to be much around buy way of proven and easy to use clamps and feed arrangements.

Seems strange, as a heavy duty drill press would seem to be the best way to go. I guess all of the manufacturers prefer to market their morticing machines rather than add ons for dress presses.

Chisel

I think I just attached a thumbnail?? - my first time.

This looks like the attachment that bobz is using - called Matkit by Nu-Tool. It's hard to see from the photo how useable it is.

It also occurred to me that an engineer's vice with two way fine adjustment would be useful for accurate placement of the mortice. Anyone have any views on this?

Chisel

Hi Bob,

Nice job with the modifications, looks strong enough. I have never used a mortice drill but have been giving some thought to getting a set. I currently use my router and round over the tennons with a file. I get crried away sometimes and file too much material off the end. Oh well must make some room for glue

How many mortices have you cut since the modifications were put in place? Only real test is to see if it still works after somes hard earned service.

Well done.

Buz.

Hello buz
I`ve only made some test cuts in a variety of woods, maple, cherry, pine etc, and since the chisels and bits are now sharp the diffrence is 100% better than when I was using it before. I`ve got to make a new table setup which I`ll do at a later date when I`m ready to use it again. I`ve got a long case clock and a coffee table to make later in the year, so I`ll be doing some morticing then.