Delta Mortiser vs Drill Press Mortiser

[JG Owens]

Does anyone have experience using both the Delta or similar brand chisel mortiser and the drill press mortiser attachment. I have an extra drill press that could be utilized as a dedicated mortiser. I also have the opportunity to purchase a Delta mortiser at a bargain price. Opinions and, or experience appreciated. Thanks.

 

[RTM]

I don't have one, but my online friends say a dedicated mortiser is head and shoulders above a drill press kit.

 

[Voi]

Does anyone have experience using both the Delta or similar brand chisel mortiser and the drill press mortiser attachment. I have an extra drill press that could be utilized as a dedicated mortiser. I also have the opportunity to purchase a Delta mortiser at a bargain price. Opinions and, or experience appreciated. Thanks.

Get the model and serial number off that Delta and do some searching. There were some years that were pretty problematic as I recall.

 

[JG Owens]

Thanks....appreciated!

 

[niget2002]

I have absolutely never ever ever gotten a drill press mortiser to work worth a darn. They're just not good.

I also don't own a stand-alone mortiser, but the few I've borrowed were worth it.

For me, the mortiser is in the same category as a biscuit jointer. Something I'd rarely use, but would be nice to have.

 

[JG Owens]

Thanks Niget. I appreciate your comment on the biscuit jointer. Last time I used it was to build a mantel when I trimmed the house.

 

[alinc100]

The drill press mortiser was nothing but a struggle to use. A dedicated mortiser is way,way better. If you buy one cheap enough you can always upgrade the chisels/sharpening/ maybe just one common use size . I have a Fisch which is similar to the benchtop Delta,Jet,etc. But they may be out of the tool game these days.

 

[JG Owens]

Thanks, I'm beginning to see a pattern here. No one seems to favor the drill press mortiser.

 

[macgee]

I have a brand new, never used old stock DELTA-17-924 Mortising Attachment in a case for sale, if anybody is interested in? PM me

 

[turbowoodworker]

I too have a BNIB Delta mortising attachment. Auction deal. But having the dedicated mortiser is fantastic. I use M&T for all my furniture joints and the only thing faster is a router. I would never go back.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I had the DP attachment and it worked OK for 1/4 inch mortises but worked like **** for the larger sizes. I donated it to the Restore.

 

[southalabama]

I have both. Unless you have a spare drill press get the dedicated tool.

 

[HenryAZ]

At the shop where I worked for many years, we had 3 stand alone mortisers that used a foot pedal/stirrup to move the head up and down. Kept one dedicated with a 1/4" chisel, one with 3/8", and one with 1/2", for different thickness door parts. Also a chain mortiser. That was really nice. It had a chain bar with a 1/2" chain, and the foot pedal raised the bed up towards the chain bar. The chain cleared the waste material very efficiently. We usually didn't set that one up except for a large order of doors.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the delta dp attachment, you can have it free plus plus shipping, save time and money, get a stand alone. I got a great deal on a rikon bench t
With a nice x y cross slide table.

 

[JG Owens]

Looks like I'm going to pull the trigger on the Delta dedicated mortiser. Thanks everyone for the input, I really appreciate it!

 

[Renegade1LI]

Looks like I'm going to pull the trigger on the Delta dedicated mortiser. Thanks everyone for the input, I really appreciate it!

I suggest checking out the Rikon, you will love the x y table, makes adjustment a pleasure, and a 5 year warranty.
https://www.toolnut.com/rikon-34-26...WfvJ_i_rqQFwu4jjJD-4x5m4zt7W3Z5waAhVMEALw_wcB

 

[Bert_]

I was just making some mortises the other day. I looked at those drill press attachments and didn't think I could even justify that.

Quick jig to keep everything straight and I just drilled a series of holes. Cleaned out the corners with a chisel.

Mortiser would be great if you could use it often.

 

[gungatim]

LGR