I am going to buy a chain mortiser to cut our first frame. It will also be nice to have for occasional use in our wood fabrication business. I want to spend less than $2,000, so I am looking at the Makita, the Swiss KSL 160 and any other high end used machines that fit the bill. Can anyone speak to the versatility or quality of the KSL 160 vs the makita? Can anyone give a good pros and cons list for each machine?

Here are some rough numbers for our first project:
160 1.5 wide mortises
40 2.5 wide mortises
16 2" wide mortises
160 dove tail joist and perlin pockets
assorment of bridle joints, birdsmouths, etc

What part of NC? I'm from Hillsborough.

First I have never used the Swiss, but do believe its fence registers to the outside of the timber and the chain is turned 90 against the grain. The makita has to be clamped and can take some time. In addition, the chain that cuts 90 like the swiss leaves tear out usually hidden behind the shoulder unlike the top and bottom of a mortise cut with the makita.

Also with the Swiss you could (I assume) buy a 2"bar and a 1.5" bar so one plunge hits the full width of the mortise. In theory with the Swiss you would not even half to layout the sides of your mortise, because the reference is set. Just layout top and bottom and roll.

With the mortisers that cut accros the grain, is the tearout on side closest or furthest from the fence? Also, how accurate and consistant are the mortise widths in the 1.5 or 2 " directions? Do they require triming, or are they often loose, or are they always just right?

I will not answer until you give me your name and where you hail from like a true North Carolinian.