So after creating this video, I took a poll in a Facebook group "The Timber Frame Apprentice" (great group for those interested in similar topics) and the results surprised me to a degree. The question I asked was "So I just learned that there is debate about which is the correct working side of the Makita 7401L Chain Mortiser. Which side do you stand on when you use yours?" The tally the last time I looked was: - Motor Side: 25 votes - Chain Side: 7 votes (that it got this many is the part that surprised me) - Either side: 2 votes (someone added this option after I posted the poll... there's one... or in this case two, in every crowd...) I remain absolutely convinced that the machine was designed to be used from the motor side (the manual would seem to confirm this). I've learned that there is a significant minority who prefer to use it from the chain side. There are even some reports that Makita reps are recommending that you use it from the chain side. This still baffles me.
Ive had a makita 7104 for over 10 years. Unless situations forced me to use it from the chain side I always did it your way, on the motor side. I don't think I ever read the directions but it seemed to make sense and I always marveled at the ergonomics of the machine. Japanese engineers sure know how to finish a good design! I also feel better about putting the machine between me and the thing that bites, if you know what I mean.
You Sir are 100% correct outlining the proper method for using the Makita mortise machine. These nay sayers are probably the same group that peg the guard on their skill saws.
I always run my mortiser from the chain side. You make some good points but I would be willing to bet that neither way affects the speed of operation. The only variable in how fast you can cut a mortise is the sharpness of the chain in my opinion. I haven’t seen a video about sharpening the chain anywhere (which can be quite tricky at first). Possibly an idea for a new video? I make a living as a Timber frame contractor and would consider the motor side the “wrong side”. But I can appreciate that there is more than 1 way to skin a cat.
I have a Ryobi chain morticer and have always used it from the non chain side. The ergonomics of the handles and triggers would make it very difficult to do the opposite. I believe you were using it from the correct side all along
All good points! Spoken with a design perspective, hard to argue with your conclusion. Also, safety is considered important to manufactures, and not have the chain exposed to you is a significant consideration.
Another vote for operation from the motor-side, not the chain side. Thousands of mortises over the 15+ years I have owned it... all but one or two from the motor-side. Those one or two from the chain-side just felt awkward. And a note: to angle the bar over for your second (and third) plunge, you need not pull the lever with your finger, just pull up with left hand, and push down with right hand. The lever-pull operation is only required to move it back the plumb position.
@@SalemWoodworks I did, once, go to George's workshop in CT. He is the one who says you're supposed to stand on the chain side. As he shows in his video. Nice guy but has some different ideas about how to do things. As with everything all have their own opinion about the correct way to do it. I always say develop your own skill set. And do what works for you.
It's designed for right handed folks to be used from the motor side not the chain side....... from the chain side is cumbersome by comparison. Each to there own😁
There’s absolutely no way it was designed from the chain side. I have one. The latch to drop it is impossible to disengage from that side, as is the on switch. The gauge which tells you where your mortice edge is also meant to be read from the motor side too.
So did you didn't watch George with Northford timber framers UA-cam video did you. The guy has built 61 barns since 1975. You don't look at the label when your running a machine. Obviously you can run it from either side but the measuring scale is on the chain side. Also you have to stand on something in your own words to be able to sight down. Did you notice the swivel handle to advance the chain forward is not on the side your standing on? You have to reach over or around to do 2 functions. Lastly you turned your pegs on a lathe??? We use a bandsaw jig and a draw knife the complete a traditional tapered white oak peg that is not perfectly round. Why?? Because we draw bore the hole (meaning we offset the tenon hole) so when you pound a pointed tapered peg in it will start and draw the joint tightly together. Then you cut off the excess. I loved all the comments on how you using a wrench to size the peg was a brilliant idea. I can make 5 white oak pegs for every one you turn on the lathe, and they will be authentic. I challenge you and anybody else here to take the time and watch George's video. I have had the privilege of working with him and he is super efficient and a great teacher. I. Glad to see you made a video to show how and why you prefer the backside. Makita could have done a better job with the handles. If you were to run it for a full day standing on the chain side you would get used to it and see how much faster it is. You made a great point In your other video about moving the makita by the center handle its dangerous when plugged in because no trigger safety. The more timber framing you do the more addicted you'll become.
I did watch his video. I understand his arguments and yours and actually acknowledge them in my video. You and he are among a significant minority who prefer using the machine from the chain side (see the pinned comment in this video). By all means, carry on working as you prefer if it works for you. Yes, I turned my pegs. I would have preferred to rive and shave from green wood but using my lathe was a matter of expedience. I didn't have any suitable straight grained green wood for riving blanks and I'd need to make a shaving horse (I plan to do both for future projects). I did have some handy straight grained oak and ash in my scrap wood pile however, so turning those made efficient use of available materials and tools. I can of course easily taper pegs on the lathe for draw boring and I did so when making my sawhorses. I do agree with your final sentence, at least. Best of luck, and thanks for your engagement.
it seems my left-handed son does everything differently than me he runs the mortiser from the motor side even though he sees me run it from the chain side since this video I think I'll turn around obviously my son is goanna take the credit i do have to admit my son running it from the motor side is much more professional, he really gets it humming down the log.
YOU'ALL DOING IT WRONG!! I've been in the industry for 45+ decades and this is how we do it properly: 1----Lay down on your back 2----Put that dam timber on your bare chest (no cheating with scribble lines; trust your instinct) 3----Grab the mortiser over both side of the timber and pull straight down toward your heart Thanks me latter, you're welcome
There are those out there who also think it should be used from tne chain side. I still don't agree. Your thoughts are welcome ua-cam.com/video/v-2izBulLAA/v-deo.html
You are using it wrong. Just look at the scale, when standing on the operating side you will be reading the scale correctly, whatever is the non operating side you will be reading the scale upside-down and backwards which is the side you sir are operating from, plus that's why you have to use a step stool to look over the top of the machine to see what your doing.
You won't be surprised to hear I disagree with you, for all the reasons I point out in the video. A quick poll of timber framers shows you're not alone in your opinion, but you're in the minority by a ratio of about 8 to 2. If it works for you. Have at it.
So after creating this video, I took a poll in a Facebook group "The Timber Frame Apprentice" (great group for those interested in similar topics) and the results surprised me to a degree.
The question I asked was "So I just learned that there is debate about which is the correct working side of the Makita 7401L Chain Mortiser. Which side do you stand on when you use yours?"
The tally the last time I looked was:
- Motor Side: 25 votes
- Chain Side: 7 votes (that it got this many is the part that surprised me)
- Either side: 2 votes (someone added this option after I posted the poll... there's one... or in this case two, in every crowd...)
I remain absolutely convinced that the machine was designed to be used from the motor side (the manual would seem to confirm this). I've learned that there is a significant minority who prefer to use it from the chain side. There are even some reports that Makita reps are recommending that you use it from the chain side. This still baffles me.
Ive had a makita 7104 for over 10 years. Unless situations forced me to use it from the chain side I always did it your way, on the motor side. I don't think I ever read the directions but it seemed to make sense and I always marveled at the ergonomics of the machine. Japanese engineers sure know how to finish a good design! I also feel better about putting the machine between me and the thing that bites, if you know what I mean.
You Sir are 100% correct outlining the proper method for using the Makita mortise machine. These nay sayers are probably the same group that peg the guard on their skill saws.
Good tip with the stool. I made very low trestles for working optimally with 8” timbers
I use the same side as you, makes sense to me as a right handed person.
I always run my mortiser from the chain side. You make some good points but I would be willing to bet that neither way affects the speed of operation. The only variable in how fast you can cut a mortise is the sharpness of the chain in my opinion.
I haven’t seen a video about sharpening the chain anywhere (which can be quite tricky at first). Possibly an idea for a new video?
I make a living as a Timber frame contractor and would consider the motor side the “wrong side”. But I can appreciate that there is more than 1 way to skin a cat.
I have a Ryobi chain morticer and have always used it from the non chain side. The ergonomics of the handles and triggers would make it very difficult to do the opposite. I believe you were using it from the correct side all along
All good points! Spoken with a design perspective, hard to argue with your conclusion. Also, safety is considered important to manufactures, and not have the chain exposed to you is a significant consideration.
Your break down and explanation seem spot on
Another vote for operation from the motor-side, not the chain side. Thousands of mortises over the 15+ years I have owned it... all but one or two from the motor-side. Those one or two from the chain-side just felt awkward. And a note: to angle the bar over for your second (and third) plunge, you need not pull the lever with your finger, just pull up with left hand, and push down with right hand. The lever-pull operation is only required to move it back the plumb position.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for a well said video. I too teach timber framing and I teach to use it as you have shown. Keep up the good videos on timber framing.
Thanks Jim! I've pointed a few people who've asked about the layout square in your direction. Hopefully it's provided some business for you.
@@SalemWoodworks thanks for that. I am selling them almost every day.
@@SalemWoodworks I did, once, go to George's workshop in CT. He is the one who says you're supposed to stand on the chain side. As he shows in his video. Nice guy but has some different ideas about how to do things. As with everything all have their own opinion about the correct way to do it. I always say develop your own skill set. And do what works for you.
Exactly why I conclude this video in the end with "I'll keep my own counsel".
I had one for years and always used it the same way as you !
It's designed for right handed folks to be used from the motor side not the chain side....... from the chain side is cumbersome by comparison. Each to there own😁
I've seen people use from the chain side, looks so awkward from the motor side is so much better.
There’s absolutely no way it was designed from the chain side. I have one. The latch to drop it is impossible to disengage from that side, as is the on switch. The gauge which tells you where your mortice edge is also meant to be read from the motor side too.
I strongly agree with you. There remains a vocal minority who remain convinced we are wrong. I can live with that.
So did you didn't watch George with Northford timber framers UA-cam video did you. The guy has built 61 barns since 1975. You don't look at the label when your running a machine. Obviously you can run it from either side but the measuring scale is on the chain side. Also you have to stand on something in your own words to be able to sight down. Did you notice the swivel handle to advance the chain forward is not on the side your standing on? You have to reach over or around to do 2 functions. Lastly you turned your pegs on a lathe??? We use a bandsaw jig and a draw knife the complete a traditional tapered white oak peg that is not perfectly round. Why?? Because we draw bore the hole (meaning we offset the tenon hole) so when you pound a pointed tapered peg in it will start and draw the joint tightly together. Then you cut off the excess. I loved all the comments on how you using a wrench to size the peg was a brilliant idea. I can make 5 white oak pegs for every one you turn on the lathe, and they will be authentic. I challenge you and anybody else here to take the time and watch George's video. I have had the privilege of working with him and he is super efficient and a great teacher. I. Glad to see you made a video to show how and why you prefer the backside. Makita could have done a better job with the handles. If you were to run it for a full day standing on the chain side you would get used to it and see how much faster it is. You made a great point In your other video about moving the makita by the center handle its dangerous when plugged in because no trigger safety. The more timber framing you do the more addicted you'll become.
I did watch his video. I understand his arguments and yours and actually acknowledge them in my video. You and he are among a significant minority who prefer using the machine from the chain side (see the pinned comment in this video). By all means, carry on working as you prefer if it works for you.
Yes, I turned my pegs. I would have preferred to rive and shave from green wood but using my lathe was a matter of expedience. I didn't have any suitable straight grained green wood for riving blanks and I'd need to make a shaving horse (I plan to do both for future projects). I did have some handy straight grained oak and ash in my scrap wood pile however, so turning those made efficient use of available materials and tools. I can of course easily taper pegs on the lathe for draw boring and I did so when making my sawhorses. I do agree with your final sentence, at least. Best of luck, and thanks for your engagement.
Well, the manual depicts a person holding it from the motor side so....
Honestly never knew there was so much disagreement here. Now I get confused when I walk up to the timber, turned upside down.
it seems my left-handed son does everything differently than me he runs the mortiser from the motor side even though he sees me run it from the chain side since this video I think I'll turn around obviously my son is goanna take the credit i do have to admit my son running it from the motor side is much more professional, he really gets it humming down the log.
You definitive working it right ….. it is a great machine …
Seems like you are doing it right.
Maybe it's meant to be used from both sides. Plunging from the cable side, adjustment from the front
Um....no
এই মিসিনটা চাই কিন্তু কোথা হতে পাব
engine side... why would you stand with your chest facing the chain ahahaha. silly really and the ergonomics of it work from the engine side.
YOU'ALL DOING IT WRONG!!
I've been in the industry for 45+ decades and this is how we do it properly:
1----Lay down on your back
2----Put that dam timber on your bare chest (no cheating with scribble lines; trust your instinct)
3----Grab the mortiser over both side of the timber and pull straight down toward your heart
Thanks me latter, you're welcome
I don’t think I could use mine from the chain side either. It feels so unnatural. Great video and thanks for sharing!
Literally impossible.
What was the name of the timber frame course you took?
It was the "Build your own small frame" course at the North House Folk School. We built the frame for a timber frame sauna.
There are those out there who also think it should be used from tne chain side. I still don't agree. Your thoughts are welcome ua-cam.com/video/v-2izBulLAA/v-deo.html
You are using it wrong. Just look at the scale, when standing on the operating side you will be reading the scale correctly, whatever is the non operating side you will be reading the scale upside-down and backwards which is the side you sir are operating from, plus that's why you have to use a step stool to look over the top of the machine to see what your doing.
You won't be surprised to hear I disagree with you, for all the reasons I point out in the video. A quick poll of timber framers shows you're not alone in your opinion, but you're in the minority by a ratio of about 8 to 2. If it works for you. Have at it.
Well, the manual depicts a person holding it from the motor side so....
Pretty messy shop -:)
Yup.
😂🎉😢
এই মেসিন টা অনৃলাইন থেকে মাগালে কত।টাকা লাগৰে