Dedicated Mortiser or Plunge Router

[spankynmagic]

LOML wants a new baby crib for #3 on the way. I talked her into letting my build one. Its a win win. I get to buy a few new tools and she gets her new crib. And we both stay under the cost of the one she wants to buy.

Anyway, thinking I needed to add a dedicated mortiser to my shop. But reading more and more it doenst seem like anyone loves theirs all that much. The HF is appealing at such a low cost...


So I was thinking, do I want to really add this UNI-tasker to my shop or do I want to add a plunge router and use mortise and loose tenon jointery for the crib.

ANy thoughts?

SpankY

[JoeyGee]

I guess it would depend on how many projects involving mortices you plan to make after the crib. Of course, that crib alone may be enough to justify a mortiser.

I don't have a mortiser, but I do have a plunge router and could not imagine working without one. There is no question a plunge router is more versatile overall.

If you don't already have a plunge router, I would get one, or at least a multi-base kit.

I am planning on getting a big router for a table before I get a mortiser. I just can't justify a mortiser at this point.

[Pappy]

I just bought the Steel City mortiser on Monday. Haven't even had time to get it out of the box. With a $40 rebate, the price is in line with the Jet and Delta but has the same features as the Powermatic bench top.

[drumpriest]

I have done all of my mortises with a plunge router up until this last one, which I did with a domino. I have used mortisers before, I just think routers make nicer mortises. That being said, if I were to want to make a ton of arts and crafts stuff, I'd probably get a mortiser, they aren't terribly expensive if that's your favorite style of furniture.

You can certainly do it with a plunge router only, with some jigs you can do it very nicely, and quickly. I have a video in the tutorials on one way of doing it, but I've refined my setup a bit since then. Now though, I have the domino, which is a bit pricier, but VERY fast and easy to use.

Now if you don't have a plunge router, I'm with Joe, get one. They serve many purposes, and there is certainly nothing wrong with mortise and loose tenon joinery. A good plunge router like the Bosch 1617, or Dewalt 618, or the PC series, will serve you well for a long time.

[spankynmagic]

Thanks for the replys. I think the Plunge Router would work just fine and I saw the Bosch 1617 combo kit with a free accessories kit at the home center this past Thursday. I am a bit of a Bosch fan.

Spanky

[Luckbox]

I have that Bosch kit and you will be very pleased with it. I had upgraded from a cheap skil router to the Bosch kit and now I look for any reason to use it. It will become one of your favorite tools. I also picked up the Bosch router table used for about $70 and it is very nice. Figured I couldn't build one for less when you figure the price for the mounting plate, fence, and power switch.

[SARGE..g-47]

Thanks for the replys. I think the Plunge Router would work just fine and I saw the Bosch 1617 combo kit with a free accessories kit at the home center this past Thursday. I am a bit of a Bosch fan.

Spanky

Wise decision on the plunge router, Spanky. I have a floor mortise machine and it is in-dispensable in my work flow but... if I had to chose between it and a plunge router, I would most definitely go plunge router first.

You can do great mortises with a mortiser... but with a plunger router you can do mortises and a whole bunch more... a whole bunch more. The Bosch is a good combo kit. I sold one recently to pick up a Milwaukee 2 1/4 HP Combo kit. I just prefer the Milwaukee personally.

The good news is no matter which plunge or combo you go with... they all get it done.. bottom line.

[JimD]

I have both and agree that the plunge router should come first. Plan on also getting spiral upcut bits for mortising. Maybe a straight bit with the end cutter would work. I bought one but haven't tried it yet. Regular straight bits will work but you will burn wood forcing them in.

If you have a bunch of repetitive mortises to cut - like you could on a crib - you may want to make a jig with openings for a template guide. I did this on kitchen chairs (even though I have the Jet dedicated benchtop mortiser). It lets you get the spacing right and consistent and goes quicker with shallow mortises than the dedicated machine.

The plunge router will do smoother sided mortises. The drawbacks are the rounded ends the noise level and maybe a little less depth capability. The benchtop is quieter and easier to set up for fewer mortises. I like it better for traditional mortises with square ends. It only takes a few minutes to round over tenons with a rasp, however, and you can also use lose tenons which can be made rounded over.

If you like Bosch you may also want to check out the Craftsman model that is pretty obviously made by Bosch (same exact router in Red instead of Blue). It is often $30-40 less.

Jim

[LCHIEN]

Well, the plunge router is the more flexible tool but when it comes to makeing square holes out of the box, there's nothing as good as a mortiser. So it depends on your needs, priorities and projects, I would say.
From what I hear, get a better machine than the HF mortiser if you do get one.

[Pappy]

I just bought the Steel City mortiser on Monday. Haven't even had time to get it out of the box. With a $40 rebate, the price is in line with the Jet and Delta but has the same features as the Powermatic bench top.

This was not a recommendation for the mortiser in your case, simply a way to get a better machine at the same price if you went that route. If you have neither, you made the right choice going with the router.