If you’ve been pining for a mortising machine but aren’t ready to make that investment, a drill press and Forstner bit will certainly do the job. But you’ll still need to clean out the rest of the waste the bit doesn’t reach, and typically, square up the ends. Rockler has an inexpensive new solution for doing both tasks: slide a hollow mortising bit into this Mortise Chisel Handle (item 43499; $12.99) and pound away on it with a mallet, just as you would with a true mortising chisel. The 6-1/2-in. handle is made of solid ash, and the company says the steel locking ring makes changing the chisels easy. If you don’t happen to have the 5/8-in.-shank hollow chisel bit already, Rockler sells them in 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-in. sizes (items 43504, 43502 and 43508 respectively) for $12.99 each.
