Review of Porter-Cable 513 1-1/2 Horsepower Lock Mortiser
 
Manufacturer: Porter-Cable
Average Customer Rating:
 
Customer Reviews (7)
List Price: $2,249.01
Amazon Sale Price: $1,099.99
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Product Description
Expensive but worth every cent, Porter-Cable 513 1-1/2 HP lock mortiser gets the job done, hand mortising is gone forever, this baby will do it faster and better then anything else on the market. Porter-Cable 513 features strong 11 Amp motor with 27,500 rpms allowing for very precise cuts. It can cut mortises up to 7 x 1-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches, great for making box lock cuts. It will center the cutter on the edge of the door automatically, and can handle doors as thick as 4-1/2 inches. It’s made of durable steel alloy for many years of consistent, accurate cuts.

Highly recommended!

Product Details
  • Heavy-duty 11 Amp mortiser makes cutting box locks a breeze
  • Mounts doors as thick as 4-1/2 inches and centers automatically
  • Cut mortises up to 7 x 1-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches (LxWxD)
  • Weighs 37 pounds; Made from a durable steel and alloy material
  • Includes height rod assembly (4 rods - 804960, 1 stop - 800203, 1 nut - 800204), wrench, 3/4-inch bit, 1-inch bit, Allen wrench, operating manual

Video Reviews
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Customer Reviews
Costly But Worth It
 
Review Date: October 14, 2005
Reviewer: Glen A. Unger,
I have to say that when doing a home full of custom doors with mortised hardware this tool was worth its weight in gold. I found the set up to be a bit frustrating because of finding the tools initial alignment but once it was established it was perfect. The only down side was that the tool has to be used in the vertical position which b/ of its weight makes it a bit awkward. The only problem I had with the tool was after about 3 doors the switch toggle stopped working and I had to unplug it to stop it. I played with the toggle and got it working again, but it was frustrating and potentially dangerous. Overall. I am happy and found it to be a real time saver. I highly recommend the face plate template too.
Porter Cable 513
 
Review Date: June 24, 2006
Reviewer: Stuart E. Mason, Ranger, GA USA
This is a door mortiser and thats all. It's a lot of money to pay for a tool with only one job but there is nothing else in the world that can do the job it does in the everyday world. Set up is a little slow but when all adjustments are complete it seldom runs over 20 seconds and its job is done.The depth adjustment came broke on my first one. Amazon leaned over backwards to get it swapped out and we went on with business.
Lock Face Template
 
Review Date: October 12, 2008
Reviewer: CONCEPT GNRL CONTRACTING, Yonkers, NY
Great Tool. We had (14) custom mortisse locks to install in white oak doors. No room for error. Once set up correctly (took some practice runs in scrap wood), the tool did each lock cut out in minutes. Expensive, yes. It is a great tool if you have a large # of deep mortisse locks to do.
The right tool for the right job - thats all folks
 
Review Date: December 22, 2009
Reviewer: Bo Lorentzen, Los Angeles
This tool is plain and simple "THE" tool, I own a small hotel and there is simply not a easier way to install large body electronic locks in solid doors. a new door is drilled and mortised in a matter of minutes, before this tool I had guys mess with chisseling these out for hours. No damaged doors, quick and easy.

Yes it only does one job... but it is the right tool and pays for itself in a afternoon if you really need the tool.

If you have a hard time justifying the tool, chances are you really don't need it. But next time you are looking at mortising a few hundred doors, just get one. :-)

5 stars for doing exactly what it is expected to do, very efficiently.

PC 513 lock mortiser
 
Review Date: March 14, 2003
Reviewer: , Anacortes, WA United States
If you are a finish carpenter, door/hardware installer, or door shop that does a lot of mortise lock prep, this is THE tool! Together with the PC 517 Lock Face Template, this stuff preps wood doors for mortise locks quickly and accurately.

Why only 4 stars?

One: Price; it's pretty spendy. Purchase both tools and you spent something like $.... The occasional mortise lock installer should stay away from this equipment unless you think it might grow into a Specialty Skill.

Two: Adjustability; Adjusting back and forth between different lock configurations can be a hassle until you figure out the learning curve. The markings on the frame for mortise height, and the stop rod for mortise depth, are "not that accurate;" takes a bit of time and practice to figure this thing out.

And this: You spend this much on a fine tool, you sure don't want to lug it around in the cardboard box it came in. Build a nice wood box, a place for everything and everything in it's place. Why PC has the nerve to sell this tool for so much money and not provide a decent storage box, even if it's blow-molded plastic, is a mystery to me. Sign of the times, I guess.

Dust Control
 
Review Date: August 25, 2009
Reviewer: R. R. Walter, Malibu, California
I have read the reviews about the Porter Cable 513 Lock Mortiser and agree with most that it is a great tool. Setting up the mortiser is a simple task with a little practice. The one problem that is difficult to deal with is dust control. Having to work in areas that must stay dust free, I have built my own dust collector that attaches to my shop vac. With a little trial and error I was able to collect all the noticeable dust. I built the collector out of clear acrylic to allow easy viewing for setup. The collector mounts to the mortiser and is easy to install or remove if needed. Because it mounts between the mortiser and the work, it is completely out of the way. I have about four hours in design and construction in the collector and a material cost of less then $10. I wonder why Porter Cable has not offered a dust control system, its very simple.

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