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Rikon Sliding-Table Benchtop Mortiser – Getting Started

The Rikon mortiser is a reliable machine and a tremendous time-saver if mortising is a regular part of your work. Here’s how to get started.


Set-Up – Installing the Mortising Chisel

Installing the mortising chisel is the first set-up step before the mortiser can be used. When installing a mortising chisel, bear in mind these pointers.

1) Allow proper spacing, about the thickness of a dime, between the chisel tips and bit so the bit clears a path for the chisel. Start with the two in contact with each other, then raise the chisel slightly.

2) The chisel must be installed square to the fence (Photo 1).


A pocket layout square is being used to square the chisel to the fence.

Photo 1 – Tighten the set screw while simultaneously squaring the chisel to the fence.


3) Use the micro-adjust to locate the fence relative to the chisel. As with all machine set-ups, it’s good practice to use test pieces with the same dimensions as your stock.


Boards are clamped in the mortiser as the micro-adjust knob is turned.



4) Set the drilling depth before setting the travel of the sliding table (Photos 3 & 4).


A board being used to set the depth stop on a mortise.

Photo 3 – Set the depth stop to mortise 1⁄8" deeper than the length of the tenon.



A board is clamped in the mortiser.

Photo 4 – Use the stops to set the travel of the sliding plate to equal to the width of the mortise.


You can use a stop block clamped to the table fence to ensure that multiple workpieces will be positioned identically.

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