Delta's mortising machine is a welcome addition to my shop. Click image to enlarge.

Delta #14-650X Mortising Machine

Effective simplicity

Text & Photos by Tom Hintz

   After many less-than-successful attempts at creating mortise and tenon joints on the router table, I decided it was time to add a mortising machine to my shop. I hoped this machine would increase the accuracy of my mortise and tenon jointing and was not disappointed.

   I looked at several brands of mortising machines and felt the Delta Mortising Machine was the best value. It is sturdily built, has a good capacity (over four inches) as it comes, plus you can buy a simple accessory that increases that capacity by nearly two inches.

   Another attractive feature of the Delta Mortising Machine is that it comes with four bit/chisel sets and a set of tools needed for setting the machine up for use. All of these accessories fit in a nice rack that attaches directly to the machine. If you put things back where they belong, you never have to locate a tool for making adjustments or setting the unit up.

   Using this machine could not be easier. I can draw out my mortises where I want them and use those lines to align the machine. It's adjustable fence makes placing the mortise exactly where I want it a snap. Even cutting through-mortises that require cutting from both sides are now easy.

   I considered the purchase of the Delta Mortising Machine for some time. Though not overly expensive (I paid $234.00) I still wanted to be sure I was not buying equipment for a job better done by something I already had, or some other piece of equipment.

Some feel the chisels that come with this machine are inferior. After a year of cutting mortises at every opportunity, I have yet to dull or wear them out. Click image to enlarge

   Now that I have the Delta Mortising Machine in my shop, and have used it on a few projects, I am convinced it is a necessary piece of equipment for the type of projects I take on. The first project was a quilt rack which needed mortises aligning two pieces that formed a curve. I do not think I could have made this joint so accurately without it.

   A side benefit of the Delta Mortising Machine is the confidence with

which I now approach using mortise and tenon jointery in my projects. Biscuits are fine in many applications, but mortise and tenon joints are the preferred type of joint in many others. Now, my joints are much tighter, cleaner, and, most importantly, located where I wanted them!

   I always try to include the downside to my tools in these articles. So far, the Delta Mortising Machine does not appear to have a down side. The more I use it, the easier it is to operate. Plus, it operates just as smoothly now as it did when it came out of the box.

Related Articles

Setting Up the Mortising Machine
Mortise and Tenons Made Easy

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