Jointer recomendations

[Cmatychak]

I've finally gotten to the point where I'd like to get a jointer and planer. I've pretty much zeroed in on the Ridgid planer, but am looking for some recomendations on the jointer. I'd like to try to stay under $450 if at all possible. I have a small (half of a 2 car garage) shop, but am a little leary of the bench top models. I have enough space to store a moderately sized "standing" jointer. I have been looking at the 6" HF model, but am skeptical of the overall quality (even with the decent reviews on their website). Has anyone used this?

Any other recommendations??

[Bas]

The HF jointer isn't bad. I've seen it in the store, and it's not that dissimilar from other imports. Some of the castings are a little rough, but the tables appeared pretty flat. Quality control on these machines is marginal at best, so if you do get a bad one, it's a pretty heavy piece of equipment to have to lug back to the store for an exchange.

I suggest you check out the Classifieds for a used jointer. This will enable you to stay within a budget and get a good model. Other than the knives, jointers don't wear much.

[MarkE]

For a few dollars more, you could get this one.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/c...tem&itemid=248

[ehpoole]

I've finally gotten to the point where I'd like to get a jointer and planer. I've pretty much zeroed in on the Ridgid planer, but am looking for some recomendations on the jointer. I'd like to try to stay under $450 if at all possible. I have a small (half of a 2 car garage) shop, but am a little leary of the bench top models. I have enough space to store a moderately sized "standing" jointer. I have been looking at the 6" HF model, but am sceptical of the overall quality (even with the decent reviews on their website). Has anyone used this?

Any other recommendations??

In your price range you are really only going to find a quality jointer if you focus your efforts on securing a used 6" jointer of good quality and condition. Odds are an 8" jointer (ideal when one can afford it) is going to be well out of your price range, even on the used market. Look for brands like Jet, Delta, Powermatic, and other well-respected brands (avoid Harbor Freight and other 'economy' alternatives, though this works out for some people).

Just be sure, when going used, that your jointer comes with a single-phase (not three-phase) motor, a cylindrical (not triangular or rectangular) cutter head (ideally with either 3 or 4 knives, rather than just two). You should also take a good 4' straight edge with you to verify that the individual tables are flat to within a few thousandths of an inch and without any unwanted twist or other significant defects. Don't worry too much about whether they are already coplanar -- as long as they are flat you can make those adjustments yourself. Also verify that the fence is flat and without significant twist over its length.

You gut instinct to stay away from benchtop jointers is well served, they are really only suitable for hobbyists working with very small boards (like model builders) and not so much for those of us who wish to build larger projects. As a general rule the longest board you can reliably joint flat will be equal to twice the length of the shortest bed (infeed or outfeed) -- many jointers have roughly equal beds, in which case the total width of the jointer is the maximum length board you can reliably flatten (however, if a board is reasonably flat to begin with, you can occasionally go longer).

Given your shop situation (not uncommon), opt for either an open or closed stand jointer with an aftermarket (or homemade, your choice) mobile base. Jointers are fairly easy and convenient to move around with a mobile base. Just remember to never lift or push your jointer around by applying force to the infeed and outfeed beds -- push on either the stand or the central section of the jointer (that is supported by the stand or cabinet). You don't want to do anything that may damage or alter the alignment of your beds.

My favorite benchtop thickness planer is the DeWalt DW735, though the Rigid model is a very nice thickness planer in its own right. Plan to upgrade your thickness planer with a Wixey Digital Readout (DRO) for greater thicknessing precision. The sell for about $50 and take a little time to install and setup the first time, but they really make precision depth control both trivial and repeatable.

PS - When it comes to moving your used purchase, expect a good quality 6" jointer to weigh between 250-325 lbs, or 350-500lbs for an 8" jointer (including stand or cabinet assembly). Jointers can be easily removed from their stand or cabinet, which will usually save between 50-100 lbs (assuming the motor is in the base). You can also easily remove the fence assembly from most Jointers with just a couple wrenches, which can knock off another 35-60 lbs off the moving weight, leaving you with a much more manageable two-person move (especially with the larger 8" models).

Good luck with your search, and welcome to NCWW.

[Cmatychak]

Thanks for the advise, guys. I'll keep an eye on the classifieds on here as well as CL.

Mark, I've sent a message to the seller. Depending on where it's located, it might be a good fit. Thanks for the link.

Ethan, can I ask where you got your mind reader? You seem to have already answered a few other questions I had before I even asked them!

[eyekode]

Nice response Ethan. I agree with most of it except for one point: If you have never owned a jointer don't buy one that isnt currently setup and working well. Unless you have someone experienced to help you judge the machine and set it up. This goes for pretty much any type of used machine.
Salem

[KenOfCary]

Ethan is good at that. He seems to have always done more research on any subject he comments on than most of us could accomplish in the next year or so.

- Ken

[Bill Clemmons]

Thanks for the advise, guys. I'll keep an eye on the classifieds on here as well as CL.

Mark, I've sent a message to the seller. Depending on where it's located, it might be a good fit. Thanks for the link.

Ethan, can I ask where you got your mind reader? You seem to have already answered a few other questions I had before I even asked them!

Considering your budget is $450 and Nick is only asking $350, I'd say that is a pretty easy decision. And he's located very close to you.

Bill

[fergy]

And if you don't want that jointer, I may snag it. Move quickly.

[old-delta]

Thanks for the advise, guys. I'll keep an eye on the classifieds on here as well as CL.

Mark, I've sent a message to the seller. Depending on where it's located, it might be a good fit. Thanks for the link.

Ethan, can I ask where you got your mind reader? You seem to have already answered a few other questions I had before I even asked them!

The one on here is an older PM but a very good machine. This machine I believe is the older PM so it is made in the US if I'm not mistaken. This gentleman don't live far from you either. I would run from the HF and Grizzley. I have a Grizzley and have already replaced the bearings and switch. I had to shim the out feed table right out of the crate. The HF models are pretty much disposable. Need a paper weight?

[bluedawg76]

imo, a jointer is not of much use w/o a thickness planer whereas a planer can serve both functions. You can face joint w/ a sled on a thickness planer and then use the planer is in its more intended purpose to plane the other side parallel and mill the board to final thickness. a jointer can't do both tasks. Also, most lunchbox planers can handle 12-13" wide boards, whereas small 6" jointers are limited to 6". Edge jointing can be done either w/ a router or on the table saw w/ a sled. so if money were a consideration, I'd opt to buy a good quality planer first ( on CL or the classifieds here of course) and save my money for a quality jointer to come later (like the PM listed). Don't buy cheap (HF) tools. They're resale value is next to nothing. Investing in a used quality machine is much easier to unload if ever you decide to (at least that's what I keep telling my wife!).
Those dewalts pop up from time to time, though I've heard good reviews on the ridgid as well. I have a 13" delta that I'm fond of. The wixey is an awesome addition as well!

Good luck!
Sam

[JCraig]

Considering your budget is $450 and Nick is only asking $350, I'd say that is a pretty easy decision. And he's located very close to you.

Bill

I was at Nick's place last week and saw the Powermatic, it would be a great buy for $350. If I had needed one I would have bought it.

[Cmatychak]

Thanks for everyone's help!

I've contacted the seller, just waiting to hear back. I think the only hang up is the logistics. I think I might be able to fit about 1/4th of the machine into my tiny Civic Si! I'll let you know, Fergy, if it doesn't end up working out.

[Bill Clemmons]

Thanks for everyone's help!

I've contacted the seller, just waiting to hear back. I think the only hang up is the logistics. I think I might be able to fit about 1/4th of the machine into my tiny Civic Si! I'll let you know, Fergy, if it doesn't end up working out.

Don't let your Civic stop you from getting this machine. I'm sure someone near you has a truck and will be willing to help move it. The folks on this site are really good about helping out.

Bill

[DanR]

rent a van for a day, or a pickup from Home Depot!

Thanks for everyone's help!

I've contacted the seller, just waiting to hear back. I think the only hang up is the logistics. I think I might be able to fit about 1/4th of the machine into my tiny Civic Si! I'll let you know, Fergy, if it doesn't end up working out.