Slot Mortising Machine

[Brendon]

Here is a Slot Mortising machine I made a few years ago.
Ideal for cutting mortises for floating tenon joints, spline mitre work or any kind of slotting work.
Cost very little to build as most of the bits and pieces used were lying
about the shop. It's the cheapest machine I have and one of the handiest.

The machine comprises X and Y sliding tables and Z adjustment by way of a threaded wheel operated by the large knob on the left rear. The height can also be locked by another knob at the rear. The mirror above the router bit is very handy when setting the length of the cut as it enables the blind area to be seen. The progress of the cut can also be viewed in the mirror. Stops each end are adjusted, set and locked down before the router is started. There is also a depth of cut stop which is not visible in the pictures.
Clamps hold the work down onto the table.
Finally, the mechanism at the front of the machine enables the passes to be controlled (1 turn of the black knob = 1/32") so that there is no stress on the machine and no danger of any damage to the work because of too deep a pass being taken.
This machine is always a topic of conversation when visitors are in the shop.