Best Sale Lee Valley Rikon Sliding-Table Benchtop Mortiser

If you do much mortise and tenon work, a dedicated mortiser greatly improves efficiency. What sets this one apart is that it has a sliding table for quick positioning.

The table has a handwheel-controlled rack-and-pinion mechanism for precise movement and side stops to limit its travel. This means you don’t need to manually move the workpiece and hold it in place for every cut, and it also lets you make multiple mortises of the same size with a single set-up. A fine-adjustment mechanism controls the front-to-back position of the table, making it easy to accurately locate the fence relative to the bit. The mortiser has a reliable depth stop, as well as a gas piston that assists when retracting the bit.

All moving parts are carefully machined to permit smooth operation. The heavy cast-iron construction has the mass needed to dampen vibration, and the head travels on a sturdy I-beam column to minimize deflection. The motor provides ample power for cutting mortises up to 5/8″ wide in hardwoods.

Comes with a set of high-speed steel hollow mortise chisels and bits (1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ and 1/2″). A robust yet precise machine. 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.