Steve
Established Member
Fox 5/8" Morticer
I had to wait some time for this from Rutlands (see the Rutlands Experience in Buying Advice), because, they said, the stock had sold out far quicker than they envisaged. Now that it's arrived and assembled, I can see why.
This is a very solid, precise and assured benchtop morticer that at £160, performs much better than it has a right to. The Delta, Jet and Record benchtops are put firmly in the shade: two columns and a gas strut which can be applied in a number of different positions, a big handle (that can be fixed left or right of the headstock), a very smooth action, absolutely no wobble or judder - this was certainly one of my better buys!
The 3/4hp induction motor is nice and quiet, the fence is really solid, there's a micro-adjuster that works like a dream, the fence is terrific and the whole malarkey exudes strength. It's very substantial. Steel Bristol locking handles, heavy castings, allen keys with nice big handles, a full 9 inches of head travel and the set of chisels supplied aren't the usual throwaways. Pretty good, in fact!
The whole thing rotates for over-the-end morticing, and there's a handy tray to keep the bits in too. You can get at the chuck on either side easily through a set of doors, and the chuck key is spring-loaded so there's absolutely no chance of leaving it in the chuck by mistake. (Not that I ever have done such a thing, you understand. Honest).
I thought that was a really nice touch.
So how does it perform?
Well - I tried it on a bit of 4x4 pine and it purred. Absolutely no problem at all. Clean, square and the accuracy was spot-on.
Some maple - it treated it the way it did the pine. Lastly, an offcut of beech left over from my bench-build. It cut it with ease - a real pleasure to use. All in all, it blows the competition out of the workshop. It's twice the morticer of the single column Jet (£225), and is in another league altogether when compared to the Delta and Record benchtops.
I still can't get over the fact that this was only £160.
It really is outstanding value.
This machine was designed by someone who uses benchtop morticers for people who use benchtop morticers. I can't fault it.
There's also a big brother 1" 1hp with sliding table for under £300.
If the new Fox range is going to be up to these standards, you'll be calling me Basil!
Highly recommended.
Steve
I had to wait some time for this from Rutlands (see the Rutlands Experience in Buying Advice), because, they said, the stock had sold out far quicker than they envisaged. Now that it's arrived and assembled, I can see why.
This is a very solid, precise and assured benchtop morticer that at £160, performs much better than it has a right to. The Delta, Jet and Record benchtops are put firmly in the shade: two columns and a gas strut which can be applied in a number of different positions, a big handle (that can be fixed left or right of the headstock), a very smooth action, absolutely no wobble or judder - this was certainly one of my better buys!
The 3/4hp induction motor is nice and quiet, the fence is really solid, there's a micro-adjuster that works like a dream, the fence is terrific and the whole malarkey exudes strength. It's very substantial. Steel Bristol locking handles, heavy castings, allen keys with nice big handles, a full 9 inches of head travel and the set of chisels supplied aren't the usual throwaways. Pretty good, in fact!
The whole thing rotates for over-the-end morticing, and there's a handy tray to keep the bits in too. You can get at the chuck on either side easily through a set of doors, and the chuck key is spring-loaded so there's absolutely no chance of leaving it in the chuck by mistake. (Not that I ever have done such a thing, you understand. Honest).
I thought that was a really nice touch.
So how does it perform?
Well - I tried it on a bit of 4x4 pine and it purred. Absolutely no problem at all. Clean, square and the accuracy was spot-on.
Some maple - it treated it the way it did the pine. Lastly, an offcut of beech left over from my bench-build. It cut it with ease - a real pleasure to use. All in all, it blows the competition out of the workshop. It's twice the morticer of the single column Jet (£225), and is in another league altogether when compared to the Delta and Record benchtops.
I still can't get over the fact that this was only £160.
It really is outstanding value.
This machine was designed by someone who uses benchtop morticers for people who use benchtop morticers. I can't fault it.
There's also a big brother 1" 1hp with sliding table for under £300.
If the new Fox range is going to be up to these standards, you'll be calling me Basil!
Highly recommended.
Steve
No room, or probably budget, for a bigger one alas 
