Setting-Up the Rikon Sliding-Table Benchtop Mortiser

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.

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).

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.

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

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

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.