I'd ask for your opinion. IN reading about the experiences of others, I see some have used chain mortisers, and some haven't. Tom Massie (a member here I think) recommends Makita 7104L model, and I am thinking about getting one to help with my framing this summer. I have the cash free right now,and would hope to recoup some of the cash in resale when finished.
Three questions:
1) Does this tool replace enough time and effort to justify its cost of use?
2) Would it be reasonable to expect a resale value of $1500 on a $2200 tool if well treated?
3) Any recommendations on a stand similar to hat used in a chain mortiser that would instead fit a hole hawg drill and help drill vertical?
I figure if I can spend less than a grand on using the tool (retail cost - resale) then I might buy one. If not I'll rig up a drill guide and pare down from there.
Thanks for your input.
Jay
I'd prefer a manual boring machine any day of the week. Quiet, fun, and almost as fast. For $200-300 dollars, you can get a good manual boring machine and sharp bit. It would also hold its value very well if you wanted to sell it when you're done. Jim Rogers always has some good ones on hand to sell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0Rpyd_XScY
I think it depends on a couple of things. I started my frame mortises with drilling and chisel work
Got old real quick. I am using red oak and dead ash for posts and beams. If using softwoods could have been a different story. Also, I'm 66 and my wrist and shoulder joints aren't what they were at 30
I have and am still dropping trees and milling them into timbers myself on a manual mill (LT15)
If you purchasing the beams cut to size, you would have more time to manually cut mortises.
I purchased a new Makita 7104L last year for around $1600
I don't regret buying the chain mortiser
Get the chain mortiser, you won't be sorry. I've seen lots of people on here looking for used ones so I don't think you'll have a problem reselling it. The first tool I bought other than chisels when I started framing was a chain mortiser.
I also vote for getting the mortiser. I am a beginner at timber framing and picked up a used older model Mafell which I prefer over the Makita (but the price of a used Mafell is higher than a new Makita). I use it any time that I need to hog out material - mortises, sides of tenons, dovetails etc. To a large extent, I think that the tools you use are a matter of preference and intent - many of the members of this forum prefer the traditional methods of building and want to continue to use and develop these methods - which I respect and admire - but in my case I need to conserve my energy for tasks that do not have the option of power assistance. Be careful though - with a chain mortiser it is possible to very quickly do a lot of damage to a timber if you make a mistake with layout (don't ask how I know :D). A drill or boring machine gives you time to think.
Your logic is sound and reasonable. I do not have one but I wish I did. One decent size frame is enough to justify using one
I bought my mortiser for one frame. It was well worth the cost. I kept it for two years and sold it on Ebay for $100 more than I paid for it.
Do boring machine people still suggest it for self builder, if one has to work with 1-2 year dried softwood?
Also does somebody know where to buy the boring machines with shipping to Europe - all i find in internet only ships to US.
Quote from: Rait on May 13, 2014, 06:25:39 AM
Do boring machine people still suggest it for self builder, if one has to work with 1-2 year dried softwood?
Also does somebody know where to buy the boring machines with shipping to Europe - all i find in internet only ships to US.
We sell boring machines. We can see what it will cost to ship to you. Send me an email to jrsawmill (at) verizon (dot) net and we can work up a price for you.
Pick out a machine off the list in the "for sale" section of this forum
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,50674.0.html
and we'll make up a box and get you the shipping costs.
Jim Rogers