Jointer question

[DonE911]

I have a never owned a jointer, but really need one for a project I am starting soon.  I've used a high end floor model, but I don't have access to one now.

My question is for those of you that have them.

Can I get any real work dont with one of the bench top models?   I can build it into a cabinet with extended infeed and outfeed tables to overcome the short table legth.  I'm only looking to flaten one face and joint the edges for glue up....  boards for now will be 4ft or less in length, but later may be as long as 8ft. 

My tool money is running pretty low, so I was thinking of saving a little money and going with a benchtop Jointer if it could do the job.  The difference between a 6 inch table top model and a lager 6 inch floor model is about 2 bills...   I don't want to have to buy another one in a year or so.... 

What to ya'll think??

[Kirk_Allen]

I guess it depends on how much woodworking you do.  If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would hold off on both of them until you could afford at least an 8" joiner.  I have a 6" Delta Cabinet style Joiner and it works great but I quickly out grew its capabilities.  I am about ready to sell it and step up to an 8 or 12" beast!

[Grawulf]

Don, I'd agree with Kirk. A jointer is probably one of the most used tools in my shop next to the table saw. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the longest bed I could afford. Look on E-bay - bet what you would pay for da little ones could get you a decent floor model.

[D._Frederick]

If you are using rough sawn lumber and plane it your self, I would look for an 8 inch or larger. Look at a JET or a Grizzly, they are about the best for cost.

[Gilman]

What kind of table saw do you have?

If you have a good table saw and money is tight, I'd build a jointing sled and get a Forrest 40T blade.  http://www.forrestblades.com/ 

On a good tablesaw (one where the shaft runs true) a forrest blade will cut as smoth as a jointer.  Don't buy it from their website, you can find them on sale for about $90.00.  Surprisingly, they've had this amazing sawblade on sale now since at least 1988, the longest sale I've ever seen.

The blade you'll love and you can have the function of a jointer too.  Then I'd save up for the longest 8" bed you can find.  Jointing a 8' board on the normal bed length of a 6" jointer doesn't work very well.  Loooooonnnnnnggggg beds are key.

[brdmkr]

Don

I am looking at a joiner right now myself.  Check out the 8" joiner made by grizzly.  It gets good reviews and can be shipped to your door for $708.00.  It also has a 75" table

It is not cheap, but it is cheaper than many of the smaller models made by the 'big name' companies.

[jgoodhart]

I started with a Craftsman 4" bench top, the bought a used 6" it didn't stay here long and I now have a 8" Grizzly it works great.

[metalspinner]

Don,
All the advice above is very good.  I will add this:  You can never have a big enough jointer.  Some boards are just to big and heavy to handle safely.  You can build yourself a router trough to hold the board stationary and slide a router with a large straight bit  over the board.  This works beautifully with no tearout.  It is also faster than a jointer because you can take a 1/4" cut.  Once you have the top of the board flattened (jointed) just flip the board and make another pass to plane to thickness.  One pass through your thickness planer on each side and you are done.
You can also use the router with a straight bit  and a straight edge to get a perfect glue joint.  Joint board number one with the straight edge clamped to that board  then place board number two into position.  That position is the width of your router bit minus 1/32" or so away from board number one.  Then make a pass to joint that edge.  The staight edge never moves for each pass. 
  I would have had all of this done in the amount of time it took me to type this.  It really is very easy and quick.  If I can figure out the picture posting thing on this sight works I will post some pics.

[Engineer]

I've got an old 6" jointer from the 1950's made by Sprunger Brothers (midwestern mfr now defunct).  Nice machine but too small for serious work.  I just picked up a Grizzly 8" machine, it's twice the length and four times the weight or more.   If you're near a Home Depot the Ridgid 6" jointer is actually a really nice machine and gets good reviews.

[Riles]

I have a never owned a jointer,

A never owned jointer? That would be one of the free range jointers? 

[Part_Timer]

Don

I had one of those bench top delta 6" variable speed deals.  I HATED it.  I never could keep the fence square.  I sold it cause seeing it in the shop made me mad.  I'm making a tablesaw sled for ripping a straight edge and the router set up for the face and making a good glue joint.


Good luck

Tom

[DonE911]

Thanks for all the input everyone....  

I totally understand the 8" being the way to go, but even the grizzly is out of my range...  7 bills just can't happen right now.  The have a new 6" floor model for $325... I read about it in a magazine ... haven't seen it though.  I use alot of smaller boards anyway... don't personally use much over 6 inches ...

I have a home depot and they just got in 2 of the 6" jointers in....  I was in there 2 days ago and noth'n ... tonight there are 2 on the floor still in the boxes and shrink wrap...  no price and no floor model yet.  I like Rigid tools, so if that one is in my price range I may go that route.   I'd like to have have a bigger one, but I can't justify it just yet.

I have done some edge prep for gluing on my table saw (brfore it took off the end of my thumb) and it does a good job, but I have alot of lumber in the shop that didn't have enough lbs on them while drying...   need to true up the faces before using them in this project.

[brdmkr]

I didn't even think about it earlier, but using a router is not a bad way to go if you don't have too many boards.  It will work in a pinch.

[Chet]

Gilman hit the nail right on da head. Don't waste yer money on a table model or tiny jointer, you will regret it very quickly. My current workhorse is Grizzley's biggest 8", it is a very good machine. Check around and see if you can pick up one of dem used  little floor model sears for the time being, They sold a zillion of dem.

[Jason_WI]

My friend has a Delta DJ-20 on mobile base(really needed here-- HEAVY). I believe this set him back 1600 bills but it is a nice jointer. I have seen them used for as low as 800 bux.

I have a 6" Taiwan Bob(cheap import) jointer from the box store. I have used it to join 16' boards for moulding. It works ok. If your short on coin check out Harbor Freight. My other friend has there 7 inch model. He got it on sale for 220 bux. Works great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=234&pricetype=

Jason

[beenthere]

Amazon catalogue came today and for the Delta's, the DJ-20 is marked at $1329, however there is a DJ20 "Select-X" model that is $1669 on a Free mobile base. They look first class. An 8" "Professional" model is at $999 and a 6" at $499.

[Ernie_Edwards]

If you have the time do some snooping around in the area where you live, never know what you may find.

In a barn belonging to a non-woodworker I found a 20" Cresent jointer, a real monster with a bed about 7' long and weiging in over 1200 lbs.

$400.00 and it was in my truck. At home I added new blades($50.00) and a 3hp elec motor($50.00) and I now have more jointer than I will ever need. Besides, that big jointer is a pleasure to just hear it run, sounds like an airplane.

I'll bet somebodies barn/garage has just the treasure you need.

Good luck.

[DonE911]

Well... I ended up with a Rigid 6" ....  It was a little less money than the Grizzly after you figured shipping into the price of the Grizzly and it was the same price as the Delta, but the Delta was at Lowes, which is over in NC andabout a 30 minute longer drive.

[brdmkr]

You'll be pleased with the Rigid.  It is a good machine.