Ideas on commercially available slot mortising equipment, and an example of a custom-built rig. January 29, 2009
Question
I periodically get jobs that require slot mortising. For this purpose, I currently use a Woodtek router jig with an XY table and a Z axis on the router (like a JDS Multi Router).
I am considering a dedicated slot mortiser and have done a little research. I ran across a post on another website that suggested saving money on a Griggio or Casadei by purchasing a metal working mill. Has anyone had any experience with this? The mills I've seen go up to about 2500 rpm, which is a little slow, but are much heavier than any wood working mortiser in the $500-750 price range.
Forum Responses
(Furniture Making Forum)
From contributor R:
2,500 rpm is fine. Most mills are three phase so if you go the inverter route you can up the rpm to 5,000. Mills that take collets are harder to find. 2 flute HSS endmills are your best bet for tooling.
Laguna Tools is an award winning manufacturer of innovative CNC routers, fiber lasers, band saws, jointers, mortisers, planers, dust collectors, and blades. Get Laguna tools and accessories from Beaver. The STS Slot Mortiser solves this by providing positioning scales for both the mortise length stop blocks, and for the distance of the integrated fence from that bit. Setting the width and depth of cut takes only a few seconds, and you can return to a position for repeat cuts reliably and just as fast. The Platinum Series V-way Slot Mortiser allows users to easily and accurately cut slot mortises for a wide variety of projects. The 3-axis table raises and lowers on dovetail ways by an acme threaded rod for smooth operation. The table glides effortlessly on bearings in v-ways.
Grizzly G0846 Horizontal Slot Mortiser A must-have for custom furniture builders, cabinetry builders or other woodworkers using mortise and tenon joinery. The Grizzly G0846 Horizontal Slot Mortiser incorporates a router mounted on its side with the workpiece clamped to a multi-axis sliding table. Use it to quickly cut mortises for traditional mortise-and-tenon or 'loose tenon.
You definitely want something horizontal or you will be severely limited in use. I've done several mill slot mortisers with friends. I'd recommend the Laguna. I've been using slot mortisers for over 25 years and am always looking at what's out there. I've only seen six used slot mortisers in 25 years so that says a lot.
Laguna Slot Mortiser For Sale For Sale
From contributor P:
What about an overarm router?
From the original questioner:
The overarm router would be good for the stile, but the slot in the rail would be a trick.
Horizontal Slot Mortiser For Sale
From contributor M:
I had the same situation last year. My solution was to build a machine from available parts. I purchased an XYZ mortising table from MiniMax USA in Texas, a nice table that will attach to anything flat and vertical. Then I had a machine shop fabricate a table, milled flat and square, to attach the XYZ table to, as well as a salvaged 3300 rpm motor.
With a direct drive chuck, and a heavy pillow block, all adjustable, I have a nice slot mortiser that is easy to set up, and makes lots of jobs easier. I investigated used metal mills, but their adjustments were really slow, and seemed to be overkill, plus I didn't want to mess with 3ph power inverters.
** NEEDS IMAGE WORK **
https://www.woodweb.com/images_forums_public/furniture/80219114507.JPG
** NEEDS IMAGE WORK **
From contributor E:
Laguna Slot Mortiser For Sale By Owner
To contributor M: what would you think about mounting a router horizontally, with some sort of Z axis crank, then build the XY table with Thompson linear bearings and shafts.
Horizontal Slot Mortiser For Sale
From contributor M:
I had the same situation last year. My solution was to build a machine from available parts. I purchased an XYZ mortising table from MiniMax USA in Texas, a nice table that will attach to anything flat and vertical. Then I had a machine shop fabricate a table, milled flat and square, to attach the XYZ table to, as well as a salvaged 3300 rpm motor.
With a direct drive chuck, and a heavy pillow block, all adjustable, I have a nice slot mortiser that is easy to set up, and makes lots of jobs easier. I investigated used metal mills, but their adjustments were really slow, and seemed to be overkill, plus I didn't want to mess with 3ph power inverters.
** NEEDS IMAGE WORK **
https://www.woodweb.com/images_forums_public/furniture/80219114507.JPG
** NEEDS IMAGE WORK **
From contributor E:
Laguna Slot Mortiser For Sale By Owner
To contributor M: what would you think about mounting a router horizontally, with some sort of Z axis crank, then build the XY table with Thompson linear bearings and shafts.
From contributor M:
The table is an accessory for one of their combo machines. I researched using Thompson linear bearings, but I quickly realized that without a full machine shop and foundry at my disposal, I could never build a XYZ table for the price of a factory produced one, at least not a precision one. Also, if the birdmouth cutters are used, they only require 3000-4000 rpm, so the speed of a router is unnecessary. By the way, I'm not trying to push MiniMax, I'm sure the same attachments are available from other places too.
From contributor D:
I agree with a horizontal mortiser. I use an Invicta with two-flute endmills. It is heavy, powerful and quiet (compared to a router). Some of the best money I have spent.
Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?
Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here
If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.
Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.
When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.
Return to beginning of article.
Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement Letters, questions or comments?E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site. To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster Copyright © 1996-2020 - WOODWEB ® Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor. Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy. The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB, Inc. 335 Bedell Road Montrose, PA 18801 Contact WOODWEB |
Rojek Slot Mortiser
