Thread: usual question, features, best value etc

G'day,
For the type of work you're intending to do, I'd go for the biggest/strongest machine you can get. I have an old Makita 1/2" that I can bearly lift, but I also have 5 GMC routers set up for specific tasks.4 in tables and one hand-held.
Someone here will be able to advise you on the features you should look for better than I, as I'm not a big mortise doer.

If you have a heap of mortises, maybe a router and a jig (including the time and effort to make and test it)will be quicker than a chisel.. But then again, it probably won't be for small jobs. Why not search on the forum for articles by Bob Smalser - he has an excellent one with colour pictures on how to cut mortises with a chisel. It can be quite quick with the correct tool.
Maybe a bit of practice to improve your technique might make you revise your decision?

But If you don't already have a router and feel that you must get one, I would be looking for something that can be useful for more than just mortises. Before you can decide on the key features, you need to ask what you want from the router. Will it stay in a table, be primarily for hand held work or a combination of the two? Loads of use, getting flogged with heaps of hardwood mortises? Or just 1 or two hours a weekend? How much are you willing to spend?

Originally Posted by SilverSniper

In terms of brand, I've heard good things about the GMC line, however as I don't know what features I should look for, I'm not sure what advantages there might be in a better model.

If you have heard good things about GMC, then you haven't read too many threads on this forum. They are exceptional value, although not exactly known for their longevity or build quality.

As far as hand held router brands to consider. I would look at the following:

Bosch GOF1300
Makita 3612
Hitachi TR12
Dewalt
Festool if you really have a lot of money.

Then look on this forum for Rocker's mortise jig.

Get one of the routers and make the jig and you are in business. Also invest in some upcut spiral router bits.

Do not skimp on the router.

If it is mainly mortices that you will be wanting to do maybe you should look at a small morticer or even a morticing attachment for your drill press. Not sure how well the drill press ones work but they seem to have been sold for so long they must do something resembling working. If you haven't used routers much before and if you want mortices 2 inches deep it would probaby prove safer and easier.
http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...th=180_330_840

The drill press attachments are a waste of money. Had one and got rid of it. They suck big time compared to a dedicated mortiser.

Thanks for that bit of info Broban often wondered whether they were any good

A good router will make a dramatic difference to your woodworking.
They are amazing tools.

I would support Boban's recommendations and keep away from the $50 brands.
Routing deep mortices will put a lot of pressure on a router and the cheap machine will really struggle.

I have Makitas and a Triton. The triton is in a table and does a good job. I found it a bit big to use hand-held.
The Makitas are strong reliable machines with not much in the way of frills.

I have a morticing attachment for a drill press. I tried to use it. Now it is in the bottom of a box of stuff I should throw in the bin.
There are dedicated morticers that would be worth considering if you intend to be doing lots of mortices.

Hi all,

many thanks for the great responses, all of them very useful. I'd prefer to stay away from a cheaper brand, and it sounds like I should, from the replies above.

I have to admit I'm a complete newby to routers, having never used one before, and I didn't realise I'd need to build another jig to use it for mortises - I guess that means the fence they come with doesn't really work?

My chisel technique on mortises may be suspect, but I think the problem is I was cutting them into pine on a plywood bench, and that combination meant there was too much give in the work. I'd guess it would be easier with hardwood.

If I was to spend, say $200- $300 dollars, can someone recommend a model that would be a good buy? (the Tritons here http://www.justtools.com.au/category48_1.htm seem cheap compared to the other brands)

Having a look at the collection of routers there, I would blow your budget by about $30 and recommend the Makita or Hitachi. Both are well regarded.

As to rockers jig, it allows you to concentrate on the plunge action and not worry about where the router is cutting. It is all controlled by the jig.

I know you are new to routers, and I am not trying to alarm you, but they can be a bit scary, especially when you try to cut too much in one go (so take it easy on the depth of cut).

That is where the fence can be of no assistance as it only ever limits movement on one side of the piece. If the cut is in the middle of the piece, you can see the problem with the standard fence.


As to your chisel technique, I think you will find that using the right type of sharp chisel will have a big influence on your results. Blunt chisels and pine are not a good combination. There are more qualified wielders of the mortice chisel than myself who may also give you some tips.

I cannot imagine you will only use your router for mortices alone. Good luck with your purchase.

Did you use a proper morticing chisel?

Originally Posted by Pusser

Did you use a proper morticing chisel?

Thanks for the advice on chisels, mine were sharp, good quality, firmer chisels. The combination of give in the work, plus the fact that the mortises were 50 x 19mm and 30mm deep meant I found it hard to get at the last waste at the bottom of the mortise. It wasn't a huge issue, but it did take a while to "dig" (technical term) the 16 mortises, and would have taken longer if it weren't for the Dremel. My next project (4 hardwood stools for Christmas presents) is going to involve 64 mortises, and although they will be smaller I am tempted by the idea of a router to get through them more quickly - there is a time issue here as well

I will try and post photos tonight to show.

Originally Posted by boban

Having a look at the collection of routers there, I would blow your budget by about $30 and recommend the Makita or Hitachi. Both are well regarded.

Thanks for the recommendation, I considered the Makita 3612 but I've read elsewhere on these forums that the 3612C is better because of the soft start and variable speed (both the Triton models have these). How important are those features?

Soft start is nice but not necessary at all. I have it on my Bosch routers and the Triton. I really don't see too much advantage other than it does not kick on start up.

Variable speed is again on the Bosch and Triton I have. Again, I never use them. Most, if not all the bits I use hand held are small, therefore its full speed with them.

In my opinion, those features are not justified by the additional cost.

What on earth is a Tokita?

Best thing you can do is stop researching at this point and just buy the Hitachi or Makita. You will not be disappointed with either of them. They have a good reputation for a reason. I'm not talking about just the brand, but rather the models themselves.

Or you can confuse yourself with features and specifications you simply do not need.

ok left to right, we have the joints I just made in my kitchen table (those mortises are 70mm x 19mm and 30mm deep), the stool I plan on copying for this years xmas presents (I will make the mortises maybe 35 x 8mm and 20mm deep), and my current mortising tools (chisels, mallet, gauges and Dremel). Hope this help inform what I would want the router to do (for now).