Union Hill Antique Tools - Barnes Mortising Machine

The Barnes foot-powered mortising machine was used to produce mortises quickly and easily, and together with the tenoning machine would solve much of a woodworking shop's joinery problems. The mortiser was produced in 4 different types:

Type 1 had no wood on the table, using a cast iron fixed table instead. Foot pressure was used to lower the mortising chisel, then a pair of wooden springs reversed gravity's action and returned the chisel to the beginning position when foot pressure was released. This type was produced in 1877.
Type 2 added an additional wood platform to the cast iron table, probably so that it could be replaced easily if the table was damaged from the machine's operation. The wood spring was still in use on this type. This type began production by 1880 and continued to 1892.
Type 3 was a transitional type, replacing the wood spring with a steel spring, but maintaining the casting mounts necessary for the wood spring. A tilting table was added as well. This type was produced in 1892 only.
Type 4 was produced from 1892-1936, and used a different casting that no longer included the wood spring mounts.

The mortising machine weighed 135 pounds (170 pounds boxed), and cost $20.00 without chisels. Chisels were sold in 1/16 inch increments from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, (then 5/8, 3/4 , and 1" chisels) at $1.00 each (no 11/16 inch or 15/16 inch chisels were available). A tenoning tool for light tenoning work (became available in the mid- 1880's) was sold for the machine at $5.00, but Barnes recommended that professional shops purchase their tenoning machine for heavier work. A blind slat chisel with 3 set bits was also available for $5.00. This tool allowed the production of slatted window shutters and other slotted work.

Mortising Machine


Home What's New Web Site Creation Want Ads Articles Search This Site Send Feedback Antique Tools Planes Rules Levels Miscellaneous Tools Books FINETOOLS List PNTC Tool Appraisals Other Sites About This Site	Barnes Mortising Machine The Barnes foot-powered mortising machine was used to produce mortises quickly and easily, and together with the tenoning machine would solve much of a woodworking shop's joinery problems. The mortiser was produced in 4 different types: Type 1 had no wood on the table, using a cast iron fixed table instead. Foot pressure was used to lower the mortising chisel, then a pair of wooden springs reversed gravity's action and returned the chisel to the beginning position when foot pressure was released. This type was produced in 1877. Type 2 added an additional wood platform to the cast iron table, probably so that it could be replaced easily if the table was damaged from the machine's operation. The wood spring was still in use on this type. This type began production by 1880 and continued to 1892. Type 3 was a transitional type, replacing the wood spring with a steel spring, but maintaining the casting mounts necessary for the wood spring. A tilting table was added as well. This type was produced in 1892 only. Type 4 was produced from 1892-1936, and used a different casting that no longer included the wood spring mounts. The mortising machine weighed 135 pounds (170 pounds boxed), and cost $20.00 without chisels. Chisels were sold in 1/16 inch increments from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, (then 5/8, 3/4 , and 1" chisels) at $1.00 each (no 11/16 inch or 15/16 inch chisels were available). A tenoning tool for light tenoning work (became available in the mid- 1880's) was sold for the machine at $5.00, but Barnes recommended that professional shops purchase their tenoning machine for heavier work. A blind slat chisel with 3 set bits was also available for $5.00. This tool allowed the production of slatted window shutters and other slotted work. Mortising Machine
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