Photo Index - Riehlé Bros. - Foot powered solid chisel mortiser

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Riehlé Bros.
Philadelphia, PA

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Mortising Machine
Machine Size:	3/8" chisel
Submitted By:	Art Shaw

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Foot powered solid chisel mortiser
Date of Manufacturer:	1870s
Serial Number:
Last Updated	8/2/2010 10:14:10 PM

Comments:

I bought this mortiser on Ebay in February but just picked it up a few weeks ago in New Millford, PA. There is no name on it. It would be listed as an orphan if not for the similarity to the mortiser shown here http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/advert/az484.htm . It has since been determined that the name should be Riehle Bros, rather than Kirhle Bros.
It is only 4' tall because the knife-edge ways that the chisel runs on are below and behind the chisel, unlike most foot powered mortisers that have the guide bars above the chisel. The leaf springs are also unusual, and diferent than the example shown on the link above. But both the spring and the underslung guide bars are similar to the WF & J Barnes equivalent. With some oil and a bit of persuasion on the chisel rotator (the handle to turn it is MIA) and tightening of a bolt in the frame, I was able to cut a mortise within an hour of getting it home.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front view
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

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Photo 2:

Comments: Chisel head with knife-edge guides below
Source: Photo by Art Shaw

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