How each kind of machine cuts, and how a hollow chisel and auger are set, is explained in the mortiser guide; the joint in mortise and tenon joints. The right machine is the one that cuts the mortises you make, in the parts you make them in.
Match the kind of mortiser to the work
| Work | Kind that suits it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture-size mortises, a few at a time | Benchtop hollow-chisel | Chisels up to 1/2 in on the machines here; small enough for a bench |
| Larger chisels, deep or angled mortises, long runs | Floor hollow-chisel | More power and stroke; Grizzly's G0448 head tilts 30° each way and its table traverses |
| Round-ended mortises for rounded or loose tenons | Slot mortiser, standalone or on a combination machine | A bit moved side to side leaves round ends |
| Heavy timber and construction work | Portable chain mortiser | Makita's 7104L clamps onto the timber and lists 130 mm wide by 155 mm deep |
Planning guidance from what the makers state. Not a ranking.
Four machines by their makers' figures
| Machine | Kind | Power | Capacity as listed | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly G0645 | Benchtop hollow-chisel | 1/2 HP | Chisels 1/4 to 1/2 in; 3 in deep; stock 8-1/2 in wide | 70 lb |
| Grizzly T33127 | Benchtop hollow-chisel | 1/2 HP | Chisels to 1/2 in; 3 in deep; stock 13-3/8 in wide | 60 lb |
| Grizzly G0448 | Floor hollow-chisel | 1-1/2 HP | 6-1/4 in stroke; workpiece 9 in wide; head tilts 30° | 332 lb |
| Makita 7104L | Portable chain | 1,140 W | Hole 130 mm wide, 155 mm deep | 17.8 to 18.2 kg |
Each maker's own figures and units for its own machine; the kinds cut different mortises, so their capacities are not directly comparable. A slot mortiser on a combination machine takes its figures from that machine's maker. Not a ranking.
Specifications to check
| Specification | Why it matters | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of mortise it cuts | Square or round-ended decides the tenon | Hollow chisel, chain or slot |
| Largest chisel or hole | The widest mortise in one pass | Chisel range and collar, or hole size |
| Stroke and maximum depth | The deepest mortise | Both figures from the data sheet |
| Stock capacity | The largest part that fits | Width, thickness, and fence-to-chisel distance |
| Table movement and tilt | Long runs and angled mortises | Traverse in two directions; head tilt and its stops |
| Supply, weight and mounting | The outlet, bench or floor it needs | Voltage and amps; whether it is bolted down |
What each specification decides; read every figure from the machine's own manual. Not a ranking.
What each kind cannot do
| Kind | Cannot | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Benchtop hollow-chisel | Take chisels over its maximum, or tilt for angled mortises on the machines here | A floor machine |
| Floor hollow-chisel | Stand safely unbolted with its head tilted, by Grizzly's account | Bolt it to the floor as its manual says |
| Chain mortiser | Cut small furniture mortises; it is built for timber | A hollow-chisel machine |
| Slot mortiser | Cut square corners | Round the tenon, use loose tenons, or square the ends by hand |
General limits of each kind, from what the makers state. Not a ranking.
Mortising attachments for drill presses are not compared: the drill press manuals BenchRoot has reviewed do not describe one. For the smaller machines in more detail, see how to choose a benchtop mortiser; for the tenon side, the tenon jig guide.
Safety— Read the manual's set-up before the first cut
Grizzly's mortiser manuals have the machine disconnected before a chisel is fitted and the hold-down set just above the work, and its floor machine bolted down. Makita's chain mortiser clamps to the timber with its own vise. See woodworking safety rules.
Before buying a mortiser
- The kind of mortise you need: square, round-ended, or timber-size
- Largest chisel or hole and deepest mortise covered
- Your largest part fits the stock capacity
- Tilt and table movement if you cut angled mortises or long runs
- Supply matches your outlets; bench or floor can carry and hold it
- Chisels, augers or chains of the right size can be found
The other joinery tools are mapped in the pocket hole guide.
Sources
Specification-based: figures are each maker's for its own machine, from its manual or product sheet, shown to compare what each states. Makita's 'maximum hole width' for the 7104L is shown as listed, without assuming which way it is measured. Lock and door mortisers and timber-framing machinery are a different trade and are not compared. Nothing was tested and none is ranked.
- 1.
Model G0645 Benchtop Mortising Machine, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial, 2010.
Used for: A benchtop hollow-chisel mortiser: 1/2 HP, 70 lb, chisels 1/4 to 1/2 in, 4-5/8 in travel, 3 in maximum depth, stock 8-1/2 in wide and 6 in thick with its column extension.
- 2.
Model T33127 Benchtop Hollow-Chisel Mortiser, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial, 2024.
Used for: A benchtop hollow-chisel mortiser: 1/2 HP, 60 lb, chisels to 1/2 in on a 3/4 in collar, 4-7/8 in travel, 3 in maximum depth, stock 13-3/8 in wide and 4 in thick.
- 3.
Model G0448 Mortising Machine, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial.
Used for: A floor hollow-chisel mortiser on a cabinet stand: 1-1/2 HP on 110 or 220 V (14 or 7 A), 332 lb, 6-1/4 in maximum stroke, 9 in maximum workpiece width, 3 in fence to chisel, a 19 × 12-1/2 in table with longitudinal and cross traverse, a head tilting 30° each way, top-heavy enough to tip when tilted and so bolted to the floor.
- 4.
Chain Mortiser 7104L — product sheet. Makita (Makita Power Tools India).
Used for: A portable chain mortiser: 1,140 W, 3,200 rpm, maximum hole width 130 mm (5-1/8 in) and depth 155 mm (6-1/8 in), 17.8 to 18.2 kg, with a vise that clamps onto logs.
- 5.
Combination Machine C3 31 (HAMMER), product and technical data page. Felder Group.
Used for: A combination machine with an optional horizontal mortiser on the planer side.
About this buying guide
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