morticers

[Kev]

Does anyone have a view on the Record FM25. Is it a good heavy duty machine as it seems or are there better machines on the market ( in peoples opinion) that are better?

Have a Delta bench morticer at the moment which has been good but now need something with a bit more oomph and more importantly has a better way of holding secure whatever I am working on.

Thank in advance.

 

[RogerS]

It looks remarkably similar to this one. Some reviews there to be read. I have the Axminster one and it does the job. The RH clamp pillar really needs to be shifted over to the right by a couple of inches as the pulldown lever fouls it, unless you alter it - by pulling sideways and relocating the cogs - part way through. Seem to remember someone else had this bit break but could be getting confused.

 

[Shane]

I've got the axi one as well, it's good, but as rog says the clamps do tend to get in the way, I'm gonna figure out sorting another clamping method at some point. Also the front clamp handle clashes with one of the hand wheels at full left bed position, but this isn't a problem if you're careful where you place the wood

 

[Kev]

Thanks guys, did look at this but wasn't sure. Take on board what you say about the clamp positions but that aside are you happy with the clamping pressure for holding the wood in place which seems to be slight concern of one of the reviews (seem to recall someone stating something similar on this site but could be wrong about that).

 

[JonnyD]

For the sort of money your talking about for the record you should be able to get a good condition secondhand multico m1 or sedgwick 571 morticer which may be something to consider if you dont mind going secondhand. I used to have a clone of the axi record and eventually it fell apart and castings broke although it has been reconditioned by doug from the forum into a serviceable machine again. It depends how much use its going to get for light use i would go new for heavier workloads i would look secondhand as you will probably want to upgrade in a year or so times anyway.

cheers

jon

 

[Shane]

Clamping pressure is just 'ok', I tend to go down, say an inch or so, then move along the mortice to do a half width of blade cut, then back to the start and go deeper again, repeating until I've got to the right depth. I feel the machine would do a single square cut without to much trouble but I'm pretty sure clamping pressure wouldn't be sufficient on the upstroke, as I find it very rare that due to wood/mortice position to be able to have both clamps in use at any one time.

 

[jeffinfrance]

hi kev,

as a sedgwick 571 user, i'm with jon. superb machine. heavy enough to not need rollers or supports when morticing ends of stiles. never had any clamping pressure issues and it'll happily go through oak with a 25mm chisel.

check the used sections and for sale boards for a goodun. wont let you down.

jeff

 

[tomatwark]

As another Sedgewick user I would also say buy a second hand one.

Another advantage is Sedgewick still stock the spares for the older machines and so getting spares is not a problem.

I also have sedgewick rip saw which is 1989 model and needed spares a few weeks ago, had them next day.

You can not beat a machine made and supported by a UK manufacturer.

Tom

 

[Tim Nott]

I had a look at the Record, Scheppach and Draper (I think) in D&M tools. All around the same price, and in fact seemingly identical apart from the paint job.
We ended up with a s/h sedgwick for £695. It's a beauty.

 

[awkwood]

Another vote for a used sedgwick morticer
Multico, or Ridgeway would also be another good second hand buy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEDGWICK-MORTICER ... 3a612a48e8

 

[Kev]

Thanks for the advice. I am with you on the SH machine. Where is the best place to find these. Is it simply a case of waiting for them to turn up on ebay (which you can guarantee won't happen when I want one) or are there specialist sites that deal in second hand machines (without charging a fortune for re-conditoining them). Have come acroos Calderbrook who have a couple of old 571's for sale at the moment around the £600 mark and Scott & Sargeant.

http://www.woodworkmachinery.co.uk/

http://www.machines4wood.com/index.cfm

I guess the obvious next question is what to look for in a second hand machine. Anything I should look out for.

 

[JonnyD]

If youve got 3 phase this looks pretty tidy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sedgwick-Hollow-C ... 2eb1e43eb9

would prob still be good value run from an inverter

cheers jon

 

[Kev]

I agree. but don't have three phase and don't really understand what I need to get over this hurdle. I know there are numerous strands on here about three phase conversion but still not sure what you need to do.

Does seem a great offer though.