I do hope everyone is having a good week, and I wish you all a great & Happy Thanksgiving. Travel Safe.

So, on to my question...

I am considering a benchtop mortiser. I have been doing more mortise & tenon joinery lately. Typically I have either chopped, or drill & chopped them. That has worked well, but as I do more & more I think that a dedicated machine is making more sense.

I have been eyeing the following machines:

Rikon 34-260
$388 + Free Shipping on Amazon

RIKON Power Tools 34-260.jpg

Powermatic PM701
$489.99 + Free Shipping on Amazon

Powermatic PM701.jpg

And
Shop Fox W1671
$329.99 + Free Shipping on Amazon

Shop Fox W1671.jpg

The Rikon has superior workholding and XY adjustment, but it is just 1/2hp
The Powermatic is... Well, a Powermatic.
The Shop Fox is priced the same as the Rikon, but is 3/4hp. However, it has no XY and only a vertical hold-down.

Any advise? Personal experiences? Just want to spout off? I'll take anything I can get.