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Using cordless drill for SQUARE MORTISING?

6/10/20       
Scott Member

Has anyone successfully used a cordless drill (I have Makita 18V) and a portable benchtop drill stand/press with a square mortising attachment?

I would like something PORTABLE and cordless for doing square mortises in the field.

6/11/20       #2: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Keith Newton

The pressure required to push a square chisel into the wood is so great that I would expect it would push a light duty attachment out of square to the work. But I could be wrong.

However, I would offer that a plunge router either with an edge guide, or template using a bushing would be quicker and more accurate. Squaring the corners is an easy task by comparison. Makita does make a 18v router and plunge base, so staying with the same brand would give you an extra battery.

6/11/20       #3: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
David R Sochar Member

Might work for one shallow mortise.

In pine.

Maybe 1/8" deep.

How much do you weigh?

If over 250 lbs, you might be able to go another 1/8".

There just might be a reason you do not see this happen. Or tool companies making such equipment.

Tool companies do make portable bench top mortisers capable of occasional light work. There is no reason to believe those things won't do the job.

6/11/20       #4: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
BH Davis  Member

Website: http://www.bhdavis.net

Perhaps a portable chain mortiser might do what you need. See link below.

Or if you just have a couple square mortises to cut you could drill them first and then follow up with a sacrificial drill press mortise chisel and a hammer.

BH Davis

Link

6/12/20       #5: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
rich c.

You might as well just chop in the mortise with a mortising chisel and mallet. It was done that way for centuries before power tools.

6/12/20       #6: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Mark

+1 with Rich
You could also get a square chisel mortising bit for a drill press and fit a handle on it to hammer on
There are limitations to battery powered tools...........

6/12/20       #7: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
rich c.

Just had the idea of using a Shaper Tools cnc handheld router. The most expensive way to make an on-site mortise.

6/14/20       #8: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Adam

The drill is not the limiting factor. I’m assuming that you have never used a proper mortising machine(long handle or long reach foot peddle) or one of those drill press rigs (where you wish the handle was a foot longer).

The force required to push a sharp high quality(Japan/Taiwan) square chisel into anything beyond pine is very high.

We all know how hard you have to push on a bench chisel to enlarge a mortise.

The better Makita 18v drills with aluminium body’s put out a ridiculous amount of torque. You can hurt yourself when they fetch up.

Answer is no.

6/14/20       #9: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Adam

Why not use a plunge router and square it up with a chisel. I haven’t use a mortise machine for a long long time.

6/15/20       #10: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
David R Sochar Member

My intention is not to offend, but you are a professional woodworker?

The forum requires you answer affirmatively, but your question belies your position.

Any professional would/should know about the bench mortising machines. Some can be had for less money than a cordless drill.

Even if you are unaware of the benchtop mortising machines, you should know about a chisel. And using a chisel for squaring a round hole? So basic as to be unmentioned. But then a chisel needs to be sharp, meaning a series of whetstones, or powered sharpening equipment. More stuff to buy.

Then there is a pencil. One will be needed along with a square to draw a line where you want your square hole to be.

Get ready, you have a really, really, rough road ahead of you.

6/15/20       #11: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
rescraft

My question is, can you give an example where you would need to do a mortise on a jobsite. I would like to know. Thx

6/16/20       #12: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Mark

Wellll, I once worked for a contractor who insisted that I square mortise all the balusters into the stair treads in a house I was trimming in. I spent a lot of time at a table saw cutting the stub tenons on site and a lot of time on the stairs squaring holes.

Could be a reason.....

6/16/20       #13: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
BH Davis  Member

Website: http://www.bhdavis.net

Scott,

A lot of knowledgeable folks have chimed in here to help you out. It would be nice to hear back from you with your thoughts on the responses plus perhaps a little more detail on your project.

Thanks,
BH Davis

8/3/20       #14: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Gabe Member

Get an air chisel. Cut off chisel with a grinder and weld on square wood chisel. Viola portable mortiser

1/18/21       #15: Using cordless drill for SQUARE MOR ...
Joseph Member

Simple improvements make a mortising attachment work great. Even though they're sexy, benchtop mortising machines aren't the only power-tool option when it comes to cutting square-shouldered mortises. A drill-press mortising attachment can be just as effective and it costs a lot less.


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