sheperd80 Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 I try not to start a new thread every time i have a question but ive been debating this forever and need some WTO wisdom. Ive been eyeballing jointers for years, and never bought one for various reasons, mainly cost vs need. Currently i do all my pre-milling with handplanes and have become fairly adept at it i think. I dont mind it on smaller projects but when it comes to bigger stuff...well, you know. . Im a hobbyist primarily, but do sell small things occaisionally and hope to sell more substantial furniture in the future. I make tons of small projects for home and relatives but these are growing as well. A buffet cabinet, dining table, bed, etc are in my future. However i'll never be a full-time production shop. Based on my current and projected future needs I see it like this... . A benchtop 6" jointer will probably handle almost 50% of my needs. A standing 6" with longer beds will probably cover 70%. A standing 8" 220v will likely handle almost 90%. A hanplane covers 100%, but i dont relish the idea of hand-jointing 8' rails of 8/4 hardwood. . So based on that outlook and a budget of around 1000, where would your money go? Or save for a more worthwhile unit? . Thanks for any input. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 In my view, the 6" with long beds is the minimum for the furniture you mention. I think bed length its very important and would take a 6" long bed over a 8" shorter bed. I have a 6" long bed Powermatic and even that had me struggling a bit when I made a Pencil Post bed a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShyDogWill Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 I love my Grizzly 490X. 8" wide, 76" long. $1375 with Sprial cutter. ($875 without, but the spiral is SO nice) I wouldn't even bother with a benchtop one. A lot of my rough lumber comes in widths just under 8" so it's perfect for me. I use it constantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 I went from a benchtop 6" to a standard 8". The bench top was really a let down. Under powered, direct drive, no stock support, I would just pass on that one. Between 6" & 8" is a you question although the long bed rails sure would be easier with longer beds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 You can always use a planer and a sled to joint wider faces - making a longer bed and narrower head more do-able. By the way I have been looking for a place to gloat: My guild purchased a 16" spiral jointer and a 20" planer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 I've got a powermatic 6" HH with long beds. Suits my needs very well. If a piece is too wide, it's normally is just a bit too wide (1/2" or so). So I run it and then use a jack plane to flatten the ridge. Go HH if at all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary-ks Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 Look for an older Rockwell/Delta or Powermatic something along that line in minimum 8 inch or even better 12 inch models. I picked up a older Rockwell/Delta a few years ago now from craigs list for 350.00 and haven't had any problems with it at all. They are out there you just have to keep an eye out............ That way you have some of that grand you wanted to pay for a new one in your pocket for a rainy day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 I own several, and have owned more. I've never bought a new one, and don't really understand why anyone does. Their availability on Craigslist varies by the week, but if you keep checking, you should be able to find a good deal. A jointer is one of those things where bigger is always better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 Yep, sound like a broken record when these discussions come up, but i went used for all 3 of my jointer purchases. Didn't regret it at any point other than moving some heavy pieces of metal. They are such simple machines that you don't have much for you to check during the pre-purchase inspection. $1000 should easily get you an 8" Dj-20 or powermatic. Chances are they won't have a helical head, but you can always do that yourself later on, or change knives like the rest of us. I stretch it to two times a year and it's not a terrible endeavor. Bed length and capacity for 90% of your projects, go 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted January 19, 2016 Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 23 hours ago, Mike. said: Maybe the guys that shop for older machines can give so rules of thumb on what to avoid. I wish! When I find a used one and ask about whether "this one is a good brand" I get answers that are not consistent with the question. I'd live to know or have a list of something like: All Rockwell Delta jointers were good Craftsman before 1968 was good etc. I know it's subjective but I don;t even know what I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheperd80 Posted January 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2016 Maybe the guys that shop for older machines can give so rules of thumb on what to avoid. I wish! When I find a used one and ask about whether "this one is a good brand" I get answers that are not consistent with the question. I'd live to know or have a list of something like: All Rockwell Delta jointers were good Craftsman before 1968 was good etc. I know it's subjective but I don;t even know what I don't know. Yeah that information would be helpful. Im not opposed to fixing up an old machine if i found the right deal. The problem is i just dont know what a good deal is. Ive been watching craigslist for some time and have only found ancient 3 phase machines which is not an option. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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