Rikon 34 260 Mortising Machine Review

My review of the Rikon 34-260 Mortising Machine.   For the record, I did not sharpen the chisels that came with the machine.

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Thanks to Mark Chutuk for the awesome music!

[martinaubel]

Thanks for this video, you answered a lot of questions and I like the X, Y table. I am looking at mortising machines and I don't see any others with this set up. It appears to be very acurate.

[twandieltjes]

That seems like a great machine. Your video is a few years old now. Are you still using it and happy with the results?
Thanks for sharing

[kerbyfab]

I’ve got the same unit and love it... I had to add some small improvements, but it works like a top now.

Hard mount the unit, the flex will go away. I bought the Powermatic mortise chisels and they cut like butter (night & day). I threw out the ones that came with the Rikon. Good luck!

[bentcountershaft]

Thanks for the review, I'm planning to pick one of these up tomorrow.

[DmitriIvanov]

Hey thanks for the review! I didnt know these machines were available in such a small form factor! The ones I always saw online were huge, maybe I'll consider getting one now that I know!

[johncole]

I bought a Delta machine 25 years ago and eventually sold it. Maybe it was that machine, but I found it a real pain in the backside to use. The adjustments were extremely fiddly, it was difficult to get the bits and chisels sharp enough to cut cleanly. For many years now I have used a jig I built from Shopnotes and a router, much better for me. YMMV

[emilianorobles]

I like this kind of machine. Kindly tell me where I can buy one like this.

[coltonbutcher]

Hey good video and review. I have this same mortise machine, and I think its a great machine for the money. Here is what I recommend. Dont waste your time on the chisels. Whatever size chisel or chisels you need for your next project, go to Lee Valley and buy the premium chisels for $50 a pop or thereabouts. The LV chisels cut significantly better straight out the box than these stock chisels do even after spending a bunch of time sharpening them.

[earlinebordelon]

They have the jet benchtop mortiser, I've heard some bad things about it but only some most of the comments about it were okay. Trying to figure out if I should get this rikon instead it's only 20 dollars more, yet it looks to have more features and is a little bigger. But somethings telling me jet is just a better name than rikon what do you think?

[mikerichardson]

How has the Rikon mortiser held up after a year of use? I'm trying to decide btwn this and the Baileigh because they both have the xy table.

[samuelhall]

question? I have this model and the gas shock is now “broke”???? the motor will not stay in the upright position under its own tension, it will just fall to the bed below if not supported, wondering if you had any issues with yours? Rikon is a decent brand and I have a few other machines so Im wonder if this is a proprietary part or does auto parts store have these??🤔🤔🤔🤔 thanks for any help in advance or for nothing…😎

[fishfreak]

How tall of a board does it fit? I’m looking to make doors with 6” rails and they don’t fit on my delta mortiser.

[Dan-qpel]

Closer views of the actual work piece is preferred, we don't need the big picture view. Just a thought.

[joelnowland]

How's the Powermatic saw working now?

[userZAKCXKC]

I don't understand why mortisers have such giant motors. Seems like the user's doing all the heavy work. (Full disclosure, I've never used one. I've just started looking into one)

[Linda-dovetail]

The depth adjustment is very flimsy. Not a good design at all. Otherwise I like my mortiser.

[green_building]

I can see that Rikon doesnt cut in precise