Accurate, easy to setup and operate, the Delta 3/8 in. Bench Top Mortising Machine is designed for the professional user. Including a multi-position hand lever and rotating mortising head for off-table projects, this machine also has adjustable height for added versatility. Powered by a 1/2 hp, 120-volt, 60 hz single-phase induction motor, this machine produces smooth-sided, burn-feed results. Built to handle your toughest jobs, the heavy-duty cast-iron base with center through hole ensures stability, while an adjustable stop makes repeat mortises easier.
- Easy and open access to drill chuck for quick bit changing
- Large cast-iron base with center through hole for strength and stability
- Adjustable rack and pinion fence and rack and pinion head raising and lowering
- Mortising head column can be turned 180-degrees and remounted for off-table mortising
- Includes: 1 mortiser, 3/8 in. capacity chuck and key, four mortising chisels and bits, tool and chisel holder and riser block
- 5-year warranty on parts and labor
- Gas-filled head-stabilizer reduces motor vibration
Khalid Turner (verified owner) –
Mortise and tenion work requires accuracy and this machine deliveres. I admit that I have done M&T work by hand before and it is really a choir to make it come out in an acceptable manner.I reviewed other machines and and this machine was the recommended model.Have never regretted its purchase and it is certainly accurate and easy to use.
Amir Heller (verified owner) –
I was building a cradle for our great grand son, the plans required 74 mortise joints. My drill press mounted mortising tool was not accurate enough to make consistent mortises so I opted to purchase a dedicated mortising machine. This machine was on sale and the price was with in my budget, I couldn’t be happier. Once it was cleaned and set up I was able to complete all the required mortises in no time flat. Just had to do some fine tuning with a chisel and I was assembling my project. Grandson and granddaughter are very happy with the cradle and hopefully it will stay in the family for a long time.
Laverne Willms (verified owner) –
Overall, a good product. I replaced my old one with a new one but found the new depth stop rod would not fit into the badly machined hole. I ground the rod down to fit nicely now. The work piece hold down seems to be of less material than the old one so I just swapped them and use the more substantial one. The 1/2 inch hollow chisel seemed to be not quite as sharp as my old one. Requires more pressure and has a little more tear out (even with a scrap piece under the work piece) than my old chisels. I find the 3/8 chisel works fine. This is the one I use most for mortise and tenons. Works great. Overall, this is still a great machine and I’d buy another if I needed. Has nice, large work base area.
Verna Jacobs (verified owner) –
Tool required some additional time square up the mortiser head unit to the fence. Otherwise it is very well built. I’m very happy with performance of the equipment. I made eight 6″ mortises in 15 minutes on my current project. Mortises required very little clean up with chisel.
Helen Harris (verified owner) –
This unit is solid, and extremely heavy. However, interestingly, it requires being secured to a work surface to perform safely on larger pieces of wood; the weight of the wood and tension from the machine can lead to awkward tilting during operation.The “shelf” on the rear of the machine seems misplaced, but it does not hinder operation. A better holder for the chuck key would have been a minor, yet very helpful improvement in overall engineering.The only complaint I have about the machine is the depth stopping mechanism; it tends to slip and does not connect squarely with the main column, which can lead to varying depth over time. Like me, you may need to really, really secure the depth stopper to have it work flawlessly. Also, the stopper itself needs to be secured in alignment with the holding screw properly; the flat face of the stopper should be aligned with the holding screw, else it may rotate and shift. I do not understand the way the stopper was designed for this device; the bent part of the non-square stopper contacts the top of the column, instead of the base of the device as one would expect.Overall, this machine is an incredible workhorse, and a great value for the price. I wonder about availability of chisel and bit replacement, but the included tools are very well performing. The motor has a tendency to buckle when being fed to quickly into a workpiece; stopping the unit and turning the chuck by hand seems to clear it up easily, but I am curious about why this is so often necessary for such a powerful motor.I would recommend this machine to anyone serious enough about quality mortises to consider purchase. A drill press bit cannot compare to the overall operation and performance of this superior piece of equipment.
Barney Sawayn (verified owner) –
I usually drill my mortise and square them with a chisel. But the project I’m working on requires many m&t’s. It’s working out just fine. A lot quicker and more accurate.
Hilma Cremin (verified owner) –
My husband purchased this tool for his workshop. He likes the mortise machine.
Shea Stiedemann (verified owner) –
Arrived exactly as described, assembled that same evening without a problem. Works as expected. Great buy.
Cleve Bogisich (verified owner) –
This Mortiser is great for a weekend woodworker and the seasoned professional. It’s a great compliment to my powermatic tenoning jig.
Lorine Schuster (verified owner) –
Machine was well packaged and coated with oil. Assembly was easy. Instructions, all but the riser block installation, were clear. Machine is heavy and solid. Machining was a disappointment. The chisels did not fit the head they had to be polished and oiled to get to fit. The fence is 2 degrees from square with the table and chisels
Bryon Will (verified owner) –
First thing to note in this review is that the machine is NOT a 3/8″ machine. It is a 1/2 Horsepower machine, and will mortiss (with the drill bit/square chisels provided in the box) from 1/4″ – 1/2″ square holes, and works very well for this purpose. If you set up the machine by following the instruction manual, you should have no problems cutting your mortises. You could also use the machine for a small drill press, although the range of stroke is not very long, because the machine’s drill chuck has a 1/2″ capacity, meaning you can chuck up to 1/2″, but you can also use larger drill bits 1/2 thru 1″ with reduced shanks, such as Silver & Deming types…The biggest drawback with the machine is that if you install the 2″ riser set up (with the other extended parts that go with it), the rack & pinion (controlled by the knob at the base) that moves the fence back & forth, doesn’t work any more with out making a part to extend up the rack & pinion as well. Other than that, this is a very good machine. You can make mortises for window frames, door frames, face frames for cabinets, boxes, etc, etc. Enjoy. I’ve had the machine for 2.5 months, and feel that is well worth the money, and is a way better machine than the one from Harbor Freight; the base of the Delta machine is wider and deeper, and heavier, which makes it much more stable than the cheaper model.
Bart Kozey (verified owner) –
The machine works very well. Easy to setup and use. The adjustments are easy to use and the chisels are sharp. It is fun to make square holes!The only issue was that one of the small screws in the motor housing was missing.Richard
Celia Christiansen (verified owner) –
Went together okay, HATED the oily mess to clean up! Product performed quite admirably.
Elisa Monahan (verified owner) –
Very impressed with power and accuracy, easy to assemble and went to work within an hour of opening the box.
Ellen Goyette (verified owner) –
A capable machine. This is the second Delta Mortising Machine I have used for building furniture. The first one lasted 16 years. The set of hollow mortising chisels included with the mortiser are not the best quality and I would recommend purchasing good quality chisels and sharpening tools. With careful setup and sharp tools the Delta Mortising Machine is capable of making excellent mortises in furniture grade hardwoods.
Lisette Beer (verified owner) –
Very useful tool for the home woodworker to make mortise and tenon furniture. Fence takes a bit of time to adjust accurately, but improves as the user gets more used to using it. Great mortiser for the beginner-intermediate.
Leatha Sauer (verified owner) –
I wanted a good mortising machine but didn’t want to pay big money for it. I chose this Delta and it hasn’t disappointed. It works great and is sturdy enough for the most demanding jobs. The only complaint I night have is that the hold downs on the fence are plastic and cheap. I feel that if I turn them just a little too much they’ll surely break. But other than that I would recommend this machine for anyone needing one at a really good price
Cyrus Lubowitz (verified owner) –
This item was easy to assemble and I was pleased with the purchase
Carlie Cremin (verified owner) –
Does a great job. Set up was easy . The machine was packaged very well.
Eugene Kertzmann (verified owner) –
I little disappointed in the machine.1) Casting of the body is not great. 2) Lift cylinder was really hard to install, and one of the ball pins broke first use. Delta ignores emails3) Chuck is cumbersome to get to