Makita 7104L 12 Amp Chain Mortiser | 
 enlarge | Brand: Makita
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $2,416.40
Buy New: $1,337.98
You Save: $1078.42 (45%)
New (4) from $1,337.98
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 50299
Media: Tools & Hardware
Shipping Weight (lbs): 44
Dimensions (in): 23 x 24 x 14
MPN: 7104L
Model: 7104L
UPC: 088381006415
EAN: 0088381006415
ASIN: B0002HC2VQ
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Powerful 12-amp, 3,200 rpm motor | | • | Extremely portable at only 37.4-pounds | | • | Fast chain speed of 1,100 feet-per-minute | | • | Externally accessible brushes for longer tool life | | • | Adjusting levers and knobs for quick changes without resetting the tool |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Perfect for the timber framing and log home industries, this innovative power tool notches and/or cuts through-holes in thick wood stock quickly, neatly and accurately. Extremely portable with its built-in carrying handle and 37.4 lb weight. The powerful 12amp motor can easily handle any size job and the externally accessible brushes makes service quick and easy. Equipped with a standard 23/32" (18.25mm) Cutter Chain, you can max cut up to 12-1/8" wide and 6-1/8" deep. Five additional Cutter Chain widths, from 5/8" to 15/16", are also available (Optional). Expect the best and get it with Makita Power Tools.
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| Customer Reviews:
 A workhorse with a few quirks May 30, 2010
Christopher Koehn (Vancouver Island, BC)
I have owned the same Makita mortiser for close to 20 years. While I no longer use it daily, I did for a long time, I still use it for some applications, and it's length of service is testament to it's durability. I'll outline a few distinctions, attributes and draw-backs:
* The Makita mortiser's chain cuts parallel to the grain of the timber. Multiple positions are required to cut a typical mortise (1 1/2" to 2") due to the machine's relatively narrow bar.
* Chain tensioning requires loosening a nut, making the adjustment, and re-tightening the nut. Since this adjustment needs to be done frequently, especially with new chains, the time it takes can be a bit much. The same is true of most chain cutting tools.
* The mortiser cuts in three positions by torquing the bar to the left. When three plunges are complete, the operator can "sweep" the bar to the left at full depth, thus removing the ridges left between plunges. However, the mortise is never flat on the bottom (due to the radius of the sweep), so mortise depth needs to be adjusted to be sure the tenon doesn't interfere.
* The depth stop is a part of the casting: a rod with depth stop passes through the hole in the casting. This little bit of casting is prone to breakage: the majority of older mortisers I've seen (including my own) have had to have this welded back on (or go without a depth stop). Breakage often occurs when cutting the second half of a through mortise: once the chain can grab on to the hole in the wood, hold on tight or you'll break the casting.
* The machine has a spring loaded clamping mechanism to secure it to the timber. Capacity is limited, and the jaws of the clamp can scar soft wood if unprotected. It's tricky getting the tension just right: too tight and you'll scar the timber and throw the bar out of square from the mortise; too loose and the machine can jump around, which is potentially dangerous.
I no longer use this mortiser daily, as several years ago I purchased a Mafell mortiser. The Mafell is by far the more productive machine: I can complete a mortise in less than 1/4 the time. But at a cost of $3,000+, it can be difficult to justify a Mafell unless you're cutting frames every day. The Mafell's chain cuts perpendicular to the grain, pulling the machine toward the fence, so no clamping mechanism is necessary. The Mafell's standard bar and chainset cuts 1 9/16" (40 mm) mortise: one pass and you're done.
I'll never give up my Makita, as there are certain instances when it can do what the Mafell can't. Cutting slots, and leaving super clean cheeks is much easier with the Makita. All in all, it's a durable, quality machine that's changed little over the years.
Chris Koehn <[...]>
great tool, wish replacement chains were cheaper February 22, 2010
Russ D. Carnes (Atlanta, GA)
I used this to cut most of the mortises when I did my own timberframe, and it's a very functional and useful tool. The process is fast enough that I was even able to recut a mortise quickly while the crane operator waited to lift the beam into place. However, I feel like the chain is much duller now, and I can't figure out how to get it sharpened, and would like to get another one anyway, but the only price I can find is 550.00.
chain mortising tool July 9, 2009
John A. Schneider (NJ)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
[...]
Recently purchased the Makita 7104L chain mortiser. Read through the directions, decided they didn't make much sense and went ahead and figured it out on my own. Tool works very well for straight mortises, not sure if it can mortise at an angle to the work piece, as in making stairs.
I estimated that it would have taken a few guys the entire day to accomplish what we were able to do in a couple of hours.
Chain Mortiser review from an owner and user January 7, 2008
Robert Griffin (West Branch, MI United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased this unit several years ago. Use it sparingly, but it is fantastic. I originally cut mortise pockets by hand. This is soooo much easier, better, faster ect. I use these type of reviews, so felt somewhat obligated to pass on my thoughts on items. Again, very easy to use, just clamp onto the log, set the depth and make the cut. I have used it only with oak and it cuts a very clean mortise. I have had zero problems with this. Heavy, well built.
I like the Makita design September 28, 2006
MDMiller (USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've used the ProTool and the MaFell mortisers and I prefer this Makita unit. It's quick to setup and I'm comfortable with the process that Makita uses -- cutting mortises in strips. You can cut a 5" wide mortise without any repositioning and a mortise for a 2" thick tenon cuts in three strips. A 2x5 mortise takes at most a minute to setup and cut. Cleanup is minimal. It was delivered with a broken handle and some brackets bent up. Amazon was of no help but the local Makita service center is trying to get the parts replaced.
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