What is it?

[MushCreek]

I spotted this machine on FB Marketplace, listed as a drill press. It looks more like some kind of dedicated mortiser. Beefy lookin' critter. Anyone know what it is? Manufacturer is Root.

 

[PCustoms]

I spotted this machine on FB Marketplace, listed as a drill press. It looks more like some kind of dedicated mortiser. Beefy lookin' critter. Anyone know what it is? Manufacturer is Root.

Looks like a production mortiser to me, except the mortis attachment is the wrong color

 

[turbowoodworker]

The mortising attachment is from the Delta mortising set. As for the “drill press”, I’ll let the experts chime in if is a dip or a mill. Looks like a DP to me, and the green may speak “Oliver”?

 

[RTM]

Here is a photo of a Root mortising machine

Photo Index - B. M. Root Co. - 250 | VintageMachinery.org

 

[PCustoms]

Here is a photo of a Root mortising machine

Photo Index - B. M. Root Co. - 250 | VintageMachinery.org

Was that taken with a vintage potato?

 

[RTM]

Was that taken with a vintage potato?

Since it’s 2012, I’d guess so.

Or the machine is actually a camera focus tester, and proved that the camera was broken.

 

[MushCreek]

It's made by Root- you can just make out the logo on the column. At $150, I'm kinda tempted, just because. I'm guessing that the quill is operated by the foot pedal, or does the table move?

 

[Toold_up]

Mortises require a lot of pressure, I bet that would make a dandy broach too.

 

[RTM]

It's made by Root- you can just make out the logo on the column. At $150, I'm kinda tempted, just because. I'm guessing that the quill is operated by the foot pedal, or does the table move?

I wonder if it’s hand operated by the laver on the right?

 

[seber]

The table moves up to the mortising attachment via the foot pedal. It is a dedicated mortiser, but I see no reason it could not be used as a DP if you can live with a moving table instead of head. You do lose the sensitivity you get with a hand lever.

 

[neophyte]

The table moves up to the mortising attachment via the foot pedal. It is a dedicated mortiser, but I see no reason it could not be used as a DP if you can live with a moving table instead of head. You do lose the sensitivity you get with a hand lever.

The issue with using it as a drill press would be bit speed.
Chisel mortisers usually have a single fixed bit speed, which would be too high for using larger wood bits, particularly bit like Forstner Bits.
The bit is usually directly driven by the motor with no gearing or belts that can be adjusted.
The chucks that hold the chisel mortising internal drill bit are also sometimes an odd size or mount.
For smaller hole drilling, it might be fine though, particularly with HSS Brad Point bits.

 

[seber]

This one has a standard three jaw chuck but you are right about speed.

 

[MushCreek]

The ad said it was two speed, but being 3 phase, it could likely be made variable speed. Too much of a one-trick pony to give up the floor space, though. The few mortises I've made I did with a chisel.

 

[neophyte]

This one has a standard three jaw chuck but you are right about speed.

The issue isn’t whether the chick is a three jaw chuck.
The issue is the size of the chuck.
The mortiser I have has a 3/8-24 arbor.
If you want to use it for regular drill bots, you need yo find a 1/2” or 5/8” capacity chuck with a 3/8-24 arbor.
They exist, but are way harder to find than a larger chuck like a 1/2-20 shank threaded arbor, and less accurate than a tapered arbor.
Also, the arbor size issue is way more annoying if you want to switch to a quality keyless chuck.