benchtop mortising machines Attachment is the only power-tool attachment option when it comes to cutting square-shouldered mortises. A drill-press mortising attachment can be just as effective and it costs a lot less., they all have basic components: a chisel holder Upgrading these parts to stabilize the workpiece and operating the drill press at the optimal speed are the keys to success. I get first-class results with my tuned-up mortising attachment. On the drill press, you can slow the speed way down, too, so the bits don’t screech and smoke. Drill press mortising is precise it’s much more pleasant, a lot quieter and much less nerve-racking than using a mortiser.