HF mortiser - recommendation

[p8ntblr]

Anyone have one of these. The 30% coupon someone posted has me wondering if I should go with it as opposed to saving up for a better brand.

[scoly]

Don't have one yet but thinking about it. There are lots of post about it and the consensus seems to be that with a few additions it makes a pretty good machine. The hold down is poor so most get an x y vise from hf. Another recommendation is to replace the chisels with better quality ones.

I have been seriously thinking about the same 30%discount and the mortiser. Keep going back to mortices using a diy plan for routers.
hth
Steve

[mikeinkcmo]

Had one for 5 years now and still going strong. Original chisles are fine. Get a cone sharpener from Rockler or similar place to sharpen them. I put the xy vise on mine a year or two after I got it and it made a world of difference. Most all of that size machine, regardless whose brand use basically the identical fence/hold down.



http://www.woodworkersweb.com/module...view_album.php

Mike
JM2CW

[Knottscott]

I've had mine for 3 or 4 years and it's also going strong. It's not the slickest mortiser I've seen or used, but it's been capable of everything I've needed it to do, included several 10/4" mortises in hard maple. If I did alot of mortises or made my living doing this I'd go with a nicer machine, but for occasional mortises for the hobbyist I think it's worth the $100 mark.

[eddy merckx]

I got one a few months ago and I'm thrilled with it. If you do the xy vice conversion, you'll have a mortiser which is a pleasure to use. You do have to hone and clean up the chisels. You have to do that with most any chisels though. If you're a member, there is an online video about how to do the sharpening on the FWW site.

I think the 4" xy vice is still on sale for around $30 at HF. As mentioned by mikeinkcmo, you really need a Rockler cone sharpener.

Eddy

[PALefty]

I think the 4" xy vice is still on sale for around $30 at HF.

I don't have a need for a mortiser right now.. but at this rate, I can't pass it up. Does anybody have an add for the $30 xy? Online, I only show $39... and they do not have this one labeled on sale at the store. I would like to have something before getting to the register...

[eddy merckx]

My mistake--I think the 4" vice went off sale March 1. I'll bet they will let you use the 30% coupon though.

Eddy

[p8ntblr]

I don't have a need for a mortiser right now.. but at this rate, I can't pass it up. Does anybody have an add for the $30 xy? Online, I only show $39... and they do not have this one labeled on sale at the store. I would like to have something before getting to the register...

Still on sale till 3/7. Here's a link to the ad.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...9_retailB.html

[p8ntblr]

I ended up getting a used Delta 14-650 for the same price than the HF model (without discount). Anyone know if I can use the X-Y vise with it?

[PALefty]

Still on sale till 3/7. Here's a link to the ad.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...9_retailB.html

thanks... I will have to try it tomorrow. I got there as they were closing the doors.. but they still let me in. I had them do a price check.. and it wasn't on sale automatically. I will go again tomorrow and try to do a price match.