Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser

by Powermatic

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Powermatic Model 701 benchtop deluxe mortiser is powered by a 3/4-horsepower, 115-volt motor that runs at 1725 rpm and has a chuck capacity of 1/2-inch. The head-stroke capacity is 5-1/2-inches and the chisel center to fence is 4-3/8-inch with a chisel capacity up to 3/4-inch. There is an in line depth stop whichallows you to stop at pre-set depths without racking the drill bit to the base. The heavy-duty handle is reversible and can be changed from one side to the other and does not require any special tools, great for the left handed woodworkers out there. The stock hold down features a double lock system to eliminate any slippage when removing the chisel from the work-piece. The fence has a quick action cam lock to make positioning simple. Large hinged chuck door with magnetic catchallows you to easily access the drill chuck with the standard 4-inch chuck key. The fence is adjusted with by a rack and pinion system.

Product Description

Includes PM701 3/4 HP Bench Top Deluxe Mortiser - 1791310, Chisel & Tool Holder w/ Sharpening Stone, 1/2-in Drill Chuck, 4-in Chuck Key, Removable Safety Switch Key

Product Details

Product Manual [227kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 19.2 x 17.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 90.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B000BX1JQU
• Item model number: PM701
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,908 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #13 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Drill Presses

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Head and shoulders above the other bench top mortisers!!!, April 15, 2006

By 

Tool Driver "Serious Student of Woodworking" (St. Louis, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser (Tools & Home Improvement)

I can not rave enough about Amazon's service or the Powermatic 701 Mortising Machine.
I ordered this machine on March 15 and the web site reflected a new product that was on backorder.
Amazon's web site also told me the machine would be shipped and delivered between April 20 and May 8th. It arrived on the 14th of April in excellent condition.
The price with one of Amazon's special sale days, the supersavor shipping, and no sales tax made this machine very very competitive with the $200-$300 priced machines.
Six stars for Amazon.com!!!

This is one massive bench top machine. I use to own a Jet, which was a nice servicable little machine for the price, but it was very basic with a very basic table made of MDF.

I debated between the higher end Delta, the General Tilting Table Mortiser, and the Powermatic 701. I went with the Powermatic as I do not make slat back chairs and therefore did not need to have the tilting feature.

The Powermatic 701, while not made in the USA, is made in Taiwan. The workmanship is very good. The motor runs smoothly and the guides for raising the head and moving the table operate smoothly.

Speaking of the motor, it is 3/4 horsepower compared to the 1/2 horsepower that powers the others.
This machine did not bog down in any wood I have been able to test since receiving it.

The spacer fitting for the chisel and auger is a nice touch as is the round tool rest attached to the back of the machine for your other chisels. It comes with a polishing hone already attached, too!

It does require a metric hex wrench and 10mm metric wrench(and it would be nice if Powermatic would provide them with the machine)but most do-it-your-selfers usually have a set of metric and imperial wrenches, anyway.

If there is a nit to pick, the paint finish was so-so. It does not matter to me as I bought the machine to make mortises, and this machine does that with a vengence!

I also like the ability to open the one piece cowl all the way in order to install the chisel and auger. Much more access area than the General or the Delta. The Powermatic uses a magnet to hold the cowl closed. The cowl opens like the hood on a Corvette; You have lots of room to access the chuck and make your adjustments.

Runout on the chuck was almost non-existent, exceeding anything needed for wordworking.

The machine has a solid feel and does not move due to its almost 90+ pounds of cast Iron and steel.

The handle is reversible to the left side of the machine for southpaws.

The fence hold-down is reversible for larger boards.

The table rollers are a great addition which allows you to keep the board firmly against the fence, but immediately move it right or left to keep cutting your mortise.

(Rockler sells a similar MDF setup for the Jet Mortiser, but it is not as nice nor is it cheap!)

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded Expectations, July 13, 2006

By 

Robert Boynton (Newport News, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser (Tools & Home Improvement)

I ordered the PM701 after reading several tool reviews. I was starting a project that requires a lot of mortising and I didn't look forward to digging them out by hand, so I decided to invest in a benchtop mortiser and based on the reviews I decided to spend the extra dollars for the Powermatic. I was not disappointed! The machine arrived on time and setup was easy because the directions were straight forward. I had a set of chisels/bits from a Delta mortising jig (for use on a drill press) and I also had the 3mm and 10mm hex head wrenches that are required for setup. I knew that I needed them from reading other evals on Amazon.com. I set off on my mortising adventure and upon completion of all that drilling I was apprehensive if the tenons were going to fit. I couldn't have been more pleased. Every one of the 12 mortises accepted the tenons with a snug, but not too tight fit. There were single row 1/2 inch wide mortises and double row 1/2 inch wide mortises(used to make 1 inch wide mortises). They all fit perfectly which attests to the accuracy of the machine's setup and ease of use, as this was a first time use by an intermediate skilled woodworker. I made the tenon's using my router and a home made jig that I use for dadoes.
I think I will eventually invest in a set of Powermatic mortising bits as they are larger, but the PM701 directions tell you how to use the smaller chisels/bits and they worked fine. I believe I made the right choice in selecting the PM701 and I actually look forward to another mortising project with the confidence that I have a machine that can do the job.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cuts Square Holes, August 21, 2007

By 

Jmark (Ozarks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powermatic 1791310 PM701 3/4 Horsepower Bench Mortiser (Tools & Home Improvement)

First, although an occasional Amazon customer, I avoided all potential problems with shipping, backorder, and freight damage by the simple expedient of buying locally. I was able to look at Delta, Jet, Shopfox, and Steel City side by side for comparison. Oddly, I bought the one machine they did not have set up on display - the Powermatic PM701 - based on past experience with Powermatic machines, and the reviews on this site.

The Powermatic was $100 more than the others, give or take. This got me a solid cast iron table and fence, adjustible roller guides for holding the stock against the fence, right or left hand operation, a large access door for the chuck, a 3/4 hp motor, an included diamond hone, and (a serious consideration) a brand that would be easy to resell if I decided I didn't like or need it.

Surprises:
1. Virturally no assembly. You take it out of the box, install the handle, adjust the three jib bolts (and yes,as noted by others, an included 3mm hex key would have been welcome), install the bit and it is ready.
2. The stock hold down will adjust from flush on the table to the maximum stock height, so even narrow pieces can be clamped down.
3. Both the hold down clamp and the rollers have two separate locking devices that let you choose to clamp firmly against the stock, for maximum precision, or with a bit of play, for easier movement of stock through the machine.
4. The tool holder is quite useful, not just a flimsy little attachment like those on some others.
5. The diamond hone is attached to the top of the frame so I don't lose it.
6. The machine is surprisingly quiet. I get the occasional squeal from the bit when a chip gets caught, of course, but not much even of that.
7. Perhaps most importantly, it easily cut square mortises for me in white oak with little effort - right out of the box!

No Surprise, typical of Powermatic machines:
1. All machined surfaces and all gears are clean and smooth in operation.
2. The finish work on the machine is typical of all Powermatic tools produced these last 30 years or so - poor. There may have been a time when Powermatic made nicely finished machines, but it must have been before my time. The castings are left pretty rough except for the table and fence faces, which are excellent. The paint appears to have been done with a spray can outdoors on a windy day. The piece which holds the handle in place had a casting burr sharp enough to cut someone. It took but 15 seconds with a file to clean it, but even so....
3. All fittings and hardware appear to be designed for long term use. Although there are plenty of plastic pieces, nothing seems to be fragile.

Mortises in white oak, with little effort? Yes, but let me explain. I do not even try the bit without sharpening first. When I have a mirror polish on the flat faces, I give it a few turns on the diamond hone. After the first plunge, I take only about half the width of the bit at a time. And I bore down only a 1/4 to 1/2 inch at a time. This method requires relatively little force on the handle, keeps the bit cool, and makes it easy for the waste to clear the chisel.

About that handle: It is stout and long enough for plenty of leverage. Powermatic lets you choose which side you want it on. I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone else does.

The machine is very stiff. I can detect no play in the column during operation. Although common sense and the manual both suggest bolting it down for use, I find it plenty stable just sitting on top of my workbench. It is possible to reverse the column to work off the edge of the base, but in that case you would have no choice but to secure it to a fairly large, stout benchtop.

I would certainly make the same choice again.