I have built a number of pieces using mortise and tenon joinery. Finally, I tired of using a combination of Forstner bits and hand chisels to make the mortises and I took the plunge to buy a dedicated mortiser.

There were several models from which to choose. One can divide the market into two categories: the floor standing models and the bench-top models. I looked longingly at the floor standing models for a few seconds, but then turned my attention to the much more practical (for the non-production shop, anyway) bench-tops.

Among the bench-tops, there were several big hitters: Delta, Jet, and Fisch. In addition, there were the assorted import machines sold as house brands by various woodworking catalog outfits. In my research, I fell across the Shop Fox mortiser in the Grizzly catalog.

It looked intriguing. It had dual-columns for extra support, the mortiser head can rotate on the base to allow end mortising. It was also a bit more expensive than the Delta and Jet models that I considered its primary competition.

I vacillated over my decision for a couple months until finally a local shop got one in and put it up as a display unit. Once I noticed it in the window, I rushed over and gave it a quick once over. Liking what I saw I bought it on the spot.

It came well packaged with the machine nestled in form-fitting Styrofoam and all the major parts divided into a small constellation of cubbyholes around it. Screws and other small parts came neatly bagged.

Setup took about an hour. Cleaning the packing grease off the exposed metal parts took another 20 minutes. The machine comes with a single 1/2" bit and on first inspection, it seemed sharp enough. Finally, I chucked up the bit, grabbed some wood and made a square hole. Beautiful!

Now the way to find out how sharp you bits really are is to cut a mortise in pine. Pine is so soft that anything less than a razor sharp bit tends to compress the wood instead of cutting. The bit did not pass the pine test. So, I ordered some sharpening cones from Lee Valley. A couple minutes of work with the sharpening cones in my drill press and now that 1/2" bit slices through pine just fine!

Including a 1/2" bit is nice, but you will need more than that in most cases. A 1/4" bit is good when making mortises for rail and stile cabinet doorframes. A 3/8” bit is quite handy when working with 4/4 or 5/4 stock. Really good bits can cost $20 each, but I took a chance and bought a set off eBay that included a 5/8”, 3/8” and 1/4" bit for $18 total. Once again, a little work with the sharpening cones and I was in business!

Shop Fox included a number of T-handled hex keys to use with the cap screws that secure various settings on the machine. These are quite handy, and store neatly in a tray that attaches to the side of the machine.

Adjusting the fence is easy, and a micrometer adjust screw makes getting an accurate setting trivial. There is an airspring included that helps modulate the force needed to raise the mortiser head after a cut. You can attach it in various ways to increase or decrease the amount of assist. I have not had to move it from the default setting.

In theory, the fact that this machine runs at 3,450 RPM is a drawback. The argument going that your bits are more likely to overheat and therefore loose their temper. I have not had any difficulty maintaining the recommended distance between the bit and chisel so, thus far, the argument is of no relevance to me.

It is noisy, however.

I have completed a couple projects so far in the year since I bought it and all have been a resounding success. My El Cheapo bits have held up fine so far. The dual-column design seems as ridged as I could want. I have not had an opportunity to make use of the rotating head feature, so I cannot address how well that works. However, I have actually rotated the head (just had to see how it worked …) and functionally it is quite easy to do.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely! The only step up that I feel I could make would be to one of those beautiful floor-standing models ...

Recommended:
Yes