I've just unpacked, assembled and tested this machine.  Here's my two cents - packing was great, smothered in styrofoam and unpainted parts bathed in oil. Cleaned up easily. Instructions were well written and assembly took about 45 minutes.  I bought this based on a woodworking magazine review as an upgrade for my the Delta drill press mortising attachment.  Since I've been doing more mission style furniture lately its worth it to have a more substantial machine.  This machine earned the excellent reviews by being well designed and constructed.  The rack & pinion fence alone is worth the little bit more that you will pay for this tool.  The first mortises I cut were 1/2"x1-1/4"x2"long in white oak and were smooth sided and burn free. The 1745 rpm speed slows your feedrate but pays a big dividend in a quality mortise.  Don't buy it unless you have enough mortises to justify it but if you do you will be pleased with this machine. I wonder how many biscuit joiners and dedicated hollow chisel mortising machines have been sold because "Norm" introduced us to them?
I've just unpacked, assembled and tested this machine. Here's my two cents - packing was great, smothered in styrofoam and unpainted parts bathed in oil. Cleaned up easily. Instructions were well written and assembly took about 45 minutes. I bought this based on a woodworking magazine review as an upgrade for my the Delta drill press mortising attachment. Since I've been doing more mission style furniture lately its worth it to have a more substantial machine. This machine earned the excellent reviews by being well designed and constructed. The rack & pinion fence alone is worth the little bit more that you will pay for this tool. The first mortises I cut were 1/2"x1-1/4"x2"long in white oak and were smooth sided and burn free. The 1745 rpm speed slows your feedrate but pays a big dividend in a quality mortise. Don't buy it unless you have enough mortises to justify it but if you do you will be pleased with this machine. I wonder how many biscuit joiners and dedicated hollow chisel mortising machines have been sold because "Norm" introduced us to them?