Chain mortiser worth getting??

[CallumA]

Raising the roof on an old shed and making a cross between a hammer beam truss and a scissor truss. Have loads of mortise joints to make. Made two mortises today and they took an age to make!! Is the chain mortiser quick and easy to set up? And easy to use?? Also I see that makita do one but so do Festool. Which is best to use on timbers up to 12" x 12"

[mr kipling]

I have the Makita one brilliant and fast but I don’t think it plunges 12 inches you would have to flip the beam and come back in from the other side

[gobbypunk]

Hi don’t have one myself but would like one ,if you have the funds totally get one ,I would buy it from you when you have done with it .

[harvey b davison]

Yes, same here, a chain mortiser is on my shopping list too. Probably the makita.

[Johnsond]

5 hours ago, CallumA said:

 

Raising the roof on an old shed and making a cross between a hammer beam truss and a scissor truss. Have loads of mortise joints to make. Made two mortises today and they took an age to make!! Is the chain mortiser quick and easy to set up? And easy to use?? Also I see that makita do one but so do Festool. Which is best to use on timbers up to 12" x 12"

 

Hi Callum 

They are a great bit of kit. Very easy to use and once you have got everything marked up the actual set up and cutting is very quick. It’s no hassle to come in from both sides on larger beams. Not seen the festool  one but I can imagine it’s not cheap. I think Mafell  do a belter but again pricey. I’ve got the makita version in 110v I’m in Fyvie so if you want some hands on before splashing out let me know. 
Remember where you put retaining pins too is a good tip at 250 a pop for chains. ?

Edited January 30, 2020 by Johnsond

[CallumA]

Hi Callum 
They are a great bit of kit. Very easy to use and once you have got everything marked up the actual set up and cutting is very quick. It’s no hassle to come in from both sides on larger beams. Not seen the festool  one but I can imagine it’s not cheap. I think Mafell  do a belter but again pricey. I’ve got the makita version in 110v I’m in Fyvie so if you want some hands on before splashing out let me know. 
Remember where you put retaining pins too is a good tip at 250 a pop for chains. [emoji51]

I'll take you up on that offer sometime! Steal a look at your Woodlands mill at the same time!! Did you buy the chain mortiser online or at Travis Perkins as they are £1188 Inc vat at the moment.

[Johnsond]

32 minutes ago, CallumA said:

12 hours ago, Johnsond said:

Hi Callum 
They are a great bit of kit. Very easy to use and once you have got everything marked up the actual set up and cutting is very quick. It’s no hassle to come in from both sides on larger beams. Not seen the festool  one but I can imagine it’s not cheap. I think Mafell  do a belter but again pricey. I’ve got the makita version in 110v I’m in Fyvie so if you want some hands on before splashing out let me know. 
Remember where you put retaining pins too is a good tip at 250 a pop for chains.

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I'll take you up on that offer sometime! Steal a look at your Woodlands mill at the same time!! Did you buy the chain mortiser online or at Travis Perkins as they are £1188 Inc vat at the moment.

No it came from HIS at Inverness, got the big planer at same time so got a very good deal to be honest. looked for a used one for a while but had no luck at all. no probs, I’m away this weekend back on mon night just let me know when you want to take a look. 

[CallumA]

No it came from HIS at Inverness, got the big planer at same time so got a very good deal to be honest. looked for a used one for a while but had no luck at all. no probs, I’m away this weekend back on mon night just let me know when you want to take a look. 

At home this weekend off to Invergordon Monday for a week will give you a shout when I get back

[delabodge]

I had the mafell  one a few yrs ago, big mistake selling it,got nearly as much as I paid for it four yrs later, so quick, a good investment if your doing lots, hard to justify for a one off,?

[lux]

Even if you only do one project and sell it on it’ll be worth it in the time you save.
I’ve not looked at the specs but I would imagine it’s hard to find one that will mortise 12” from one position.
Maybe be worth you buying a second hand one then reselling to minimise your loss. Just check chain condition etc carefully. Make sure everything locks in position And hasn’t worn.
Fantastic tools and will save you days and your sanity !