Delta17-924 Mortising Attachment with 1/4 Inch, 5/16 Inch, 3/8 Inch, and 1/2 Inch Chisel and Bit Sets

I almost sent this thing back, since it didn't fit correctly on my Craftsman 15" drill press. Once I did some necessary modifications, however, (a couple of washers as spacers, mounting it a little lower on the quill collar, etc.) I was able to get it to work and decided to keep it anyway. Most of all, I like the versatility this kit adds to my old drill press. I figured I needed a dedicated mortiser clogging up my little shop as much as I need a (square) hole in my head! I don't think the set-up is that bad - although I quickly disconnected Delta's "handy" spring loaded spline wrenches on their fence hold-down bolts. (I don't know how your supposed to start the bolt on the nut with those things getting in your way - I just keep them handy for final snugging) Anyway, I find set-up to be a simple two step process: (1) slip on the collar and the load the desired size mortise bit/chisel, and (2) bolt the auxiliary fence to your table. Too keep everything square, I just clip a 12-inch ruler or straight stick to the back side of the chisel and set the fence at the desired clearance on both ends of the ruler. I find the whole set-up time similar to setting up a dado on the table saw - it takes a little measuring, but once you've done it a couple of times it's no big deal. I probably would've given 5 stars if this had fit my drill. I still can't figure out why it didn't, maybe I'm reading my model number wrong...

As others have commented, for under a hundred dollars you have a satisfactory mortiser, and without much hassle. I would recommend this kit to anyone who is mechanically-inclined and first does their homework. I was able to use this to bore 24 - 1/2" square x 3/4" deep mortices in heart cherry on a non-Delta drill press without any problem. However, be aware of a couple of serious limitations:1) The "U" mortise bit holder only has 4-1/2" inside clearance from the quill clamp (top) to the mortise bit clamp (bottom). Measure your drill press from the top of the stop ring at the bottom of the quill, to the bottom of the chuck, and importantly, with that chuck extended to tighten around a 1/8" bit. This is what has to fit into 4-1/2" on this "U" bit holder, the key part of this accessory kit. I could only use the 1/2" mortise bit, because with the chuck extended so far down to wrap around the smallest 1/4" mortise bit, there is not room for it within the "U", at least on my drill press. Fortunately, in my project, for which I bought a used $65 x 3/4 HP x 12 speed x 5/8" chuck drill press, the 1/2" mortise was OK (much bigger augur bit), so I could use this kit without any appreciable down time.2) You must have a drill press which will allow you to use quite low speed; I ran mine at 600 rpm, and it did not burn up the mortise bit. At 1200 rpm, it instantly heated up, which is a possible explanation for why commentators may be upset about burning their bits. It's mostly about providing enough steady downward force pushing into the wood to create the "square hole." The drill bit inside is really important for clearing out chips and thus keeping the bit cooler. Only use at much-reduced speeds. Be sure you pay attention on keeping the 1/32" clearance between the augur and the mortise bit holder, too!3) The HP on the drill press is therefore pretty much immaterial. What you do need is a robust travel on the drill press, as depending on your wood, you may like me be putting considerable force onto the crank to get the mortise bit plowed through the wood. If there is a little sideways slop/runout in the travel, it is OK, as once you have initially pronged into the wood carefully with the square bit, the wood prevents the square bit from wandering.4) The hold-downs are pretty useless if you have any decent width stile, such as a door. The fence is a lifesaver though (I clamped mine to the drill press, as the provided holes didn't fit), and both the fence and mortise bit holder are well-made iron castings, making this a great "old school" solid accessory, the likes of which Delta originally established their brand following.5) Other reviewers complained about the setup time. Not a problem at all for me, I couldn't see it being an issue, certainly not a show-stopper at all. However, if you buy a used drill press (make sure it fits!), you could dedicate it to mortising, and you would have the best solution.6) The kit comes with the ability to clamp around four different sizes of quills. I tried this kit on my Delta 32" radial drill press (an older one, not the Delta 11-090 as advertised), and what do you know, it would not fit, ZIP. "The good thing about standards is there are so many of them," even from the same manufacturer who has made this accessory kit for its drill presses. ** WHY do they do this? ** Delta: "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?" Unless you have a metal lathe, you would need to go to a machine shop and have a set of shims made if your drill press does not match the four sized quills this kit is intended for. Fortunately, three sets are provided in the kit as models.

So there are a lot of hot and cold reviews. This thing has been around for a long time and it has always been seen as decent, but not great. A dedicated mortiser is always better but this gets the job done. The main bit is the yoke that attaches to the drill press. Not much to it and it works. The fence is a bit fiddly to set up but it works. The machining of the screws could be better on everything. The lock screw for the chisel is not great but again, it works. I think the big issue is that the chisels are not top quality and have burrs on them from the factory. To me a factory grind on a tool is never acceptable so I always assume some sharpening will need to be done. You need a conical diamond stone and a flat sharpening stone of some kind to properly sharpen the chisels. Once you give them a good edge this tool works very well. The mortise sill requires some cleanup by hand but it does get the job done.So in summary, it works after some setup and tuning. It is not the greatest option for making mortises, but for the price, and not having to buy a dedicated machine it does work.

For those of us who don't want to chisel by hand but don't have the money or room for a dedicated chiseling machine, this is a really good tool. The one thing I would stress to everyone is follow the directions. I didn't at first and couldn't figure out why the chisel wouldn't push through the wood. The only two negative things I can say are that the finish wasn't the same as the picture (which I really couldn't care less about) and sliding the rings over my chuck to get to the quill was almost impossible. Now that they're in place though I don't think I'm ever going to get two of the adjustment rings off again. They're not affecting the function of the drill press so I don't think it matters either.This thing makes fairly clean cuts. It only takes about 30 seconds to clean out the very bottom corners. Haven't found anything negative about it. Hoping it stays that way.

Purchased this item for my Powermatic 2800 drill press, I needed a tilting mortising machine. This product for its price point (only $99) is well made, instructions are clear and packaged nicely. Comes will a fitted plastic case for storage. The hollow chisel bits are not of the best quality nor polished to any meaningful degree, it is a trade off for the money spent. I will look for a better quality hollow chisel bits as well as a one inch hollow chisel bit. I have a HF hollow chisel machine that I will give away or have my scrap metal guy come and get it; money not well spent, buy cheap, buy twice or more!

Esta herramienta se adapta muy bien a las diferentes exigencias en los diferentes procesos de armado en los trabajos de carpintería, todos sus componentes son de fácil empleo con precisos ajustes sin complicaciones, quede muy satisfecho con la adquisición de esta herramienta. Gracias.

LOS MATERIALES NO SE DE BUENA CALIDAD SE OXIDAN RAPIDO (LO QU NO ESTAN PINTADOS), ES NECEARIO PINTARLOS CON ANTICORROSIVO Y PINTURA AUTORMOTRIZ, LAS BROCAS SON DE ACERO MUY MALO QUE SE NOTA QUE EL FILO NO SIRVE Y ASI ES, TUVE QUE COPRAR UNAS IRWIN MUCHO MAS CARAS

Perfecto para facilitar las tareas de escopleado y ranurado con multiples posiblidades de aplicacion. Y comp Plus, me llego en menos de 48 hrs.

Es el set de accesorios que me hacia falta para equipar mi taladro de banco.Util para carpinteros y bricolajeros.