Jointer

[bruegf]

I'm finding more and more that I need a jointer and was wondering if I missing a technique that I could use with my Festool saw or TS (Ryobi, not the best saw but its what I have).  If not, any recommendations as to a good quality 6" jointer (preferably that's also a good value for the money - I'm hoping to not spend as much as I have on any one of my Festool tools).

Right now I'm try to cut a 3' long piece of 8/4 teak (that has a slight bow in it) into two strips to create a single 3/4 thick teak strip to glue on the edge of a 3/4 countertop and can't get it flat enough using my TS that I feel it will glue well.  I'm off to my dad's shop to use his jointer for this piece, but ultimately I want to be able to do this in my shop with my equipment.

Thanks

Fred

 

[Brice Burrell]

Well in the price range you are talking about a 6" jointer is only option. If you have the space, a low end stationary jointer is the way to go. If you just want to be able to put one on a shelf when not in use, then a portable model. I have a Delta portable jointer, that just replace an old Ryobi (don't laugh, that was the best portable I've ever used). Anyhow, the Delta works pretty well.

 

[Ned]

... an old Ryobi (don't laugh, that was the best portable I've ever used).

I'm not laughing.  I've got the Ryobi JP-155 and I'll miss it when it goes.

How does the Delta portable compare?

Ned

 

[fidelfs]

I had good results with my Ridgid 6" jointer.  The only problem is the infeed and outfeed are short and that limits or creates a challenge to square lumber.

Well, let me take back the "only problem"  Ridgid does not sell blades so you will purchasing other brands, or get an after market elliptical blade.

 

[Brice Burrell]

... an old Ryobi (don't laugh, that was the best portable I've ever used).

I'm not laughing.  I've got the Ryobi JP-155 and I'll miss it when it goes.

How does the Delta portable compare?

Ned

Ned, the Delta is still pretty new, so it does a very nice job, now, we'll see in a few years. The Delta is all metal so its maybe 60%-70% heavier. It has a fence that is twice as tall, for me this is a good thing. What I miss the most on the Ryobi is the 2.5" dust port out of the side, I would stick a shopvac hose on and just put it in a garbage can, no vac, worked great. The Delta has a 2"x6" slot in the front that I don't like, the chips can clog up. Another plus for the Delta, I can go to Lowes to get a new set of blades, don't have to order them like with the Ryobi.

 

[brandon.nickel]

I love my Powermatic 54A 6" jointer.  It may not fit your budget though at ~$700 MSRP.  I got mine for about $560 on sale.  The bed is longer than any of hte other 6" jointers I was looking at.  I've found that to be a very valuable feature when trying to joint 10' stock.  Grizzly has some good deals, but so far I haven't been happy with the quality of the few things I've bought from Grizzly (including an $800 drum sander).  Anytime I try to save money I end up regretting it.  That's not been a problem with my Festool stuff.

 

[Loren Hedahl]

I have had a Sunhill 6 inch jointer for about 10 years and have been satisfied.

Just after I bought it a neighbor decided to sell his.  If I had known I would have bought his, saved a few bucks in the process and would have the extra knives etc. he had acquired.

So check the used market.  Jointers aren't high wear items, at least the stationary ones aren't.  If nothing is broken and it will make a straight edge, that's about all you can wish for.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I have the new Craftsman 6" jointer.  With a sale and joining the Craftsman Club, I got it for about $375.  Usually, I'm not a big fan of Craftsman, but I think their new line of tools (made by Orion) are pretty good.  I've been using it for about a year now, and it has been very reliable.

Here's a link: Craftsman Jointer

Recently, I upgraded the blades to the Esta system. Here's a link: Esta USA.

Matthew

 

[bruegf]

I'm hoping to stay in the $500 range although if I have to spend more to get a machine that works well I will.  I hate having tools that don't perform well, which is why I've started with Festool.  I need something that makes up for my lack of skill!

I'm wondering what folks think about the spiral cutter heads.  I noticed that Grizzly has a 6" model that can be upgraded to a spiral cutter head.  Is it worth the extra money.  For that matter is the Grizzly G0604 a decent machine. 

Fred

 

[Len]

Hey Fred,

You won't go wrong with the Powermatic 54A mentioned above.  Great machine that should last a lifetime.  I have only owned one Grizzly - combo 12" disk/6" belt.  Awlful machine.  So I am a bit turned off by Grizzly, but lots of folks love 'em.  But it seems like when anyone praises their Grizzly the first words are "I only paid ..."

I say go the the gold.

Len

 

[Lou Miller]

Fred,

What kind of space do you have available? Reason I ask is you really should at least consider getting an 8" machine instead of a 6". People upgrade all the time from 6" to 8", but you almost never here of anyone that wants to step down. An 8" machine opens up a lot more options. With your $500 price range, you should be able to find something that is used that will hold up well. Jointers are very simple machines (there's not much on them that can go bad), so buying used isn't really a concern most of the time. Used wouldn't be a bad way to go for a 6" machine either. The used market usually has a lot of them out there and at good prices since so many eventually upgrade to 8" machines.

As to upgrading to a spiral head, they all pretty much can be upgraded. Its just a question of are you willing to spend the money?

 

[bruegf]

Lou,

Unfortunately my space is very limited, approx 12 X 20 and I really don't have any wall space open any more, between the table and band saws, drill press, MFT, workbench and shelving.  I'll need to get a mobile base under the jointer so I can get it out when I need it and stuff it back behind the furnace when not using it.  I agree that an 8" would be better, but at least I have use of my Dad's 8" if really needed.  I just don't like having to run over there every time I want to do anything so I think a 6" would meet most of what I'm likely to do.

Good point about the used machines, I really hadn't considered that yet.

Is the spiral head enough better to justify $300+ upgrade cost?

Fred

 

[fidelfs]

In my opinion the spiral head are better.  Sunhill has 2 options one cost 150 and the other is the expensive one. 
I have installed the 150 option in my Ridgid jointer.

 

[Lou Miller]

Lou,

Unfortunately my space is very limited, approx 12 X 20 and I really don't have any wall space open any more, between the table and band saws, drill press, MFT, workbench and shelving.  I'll need to get a mobile base under the jointer so I can get it out when I need it and stuff it back behind the furnace when not using it.  I agree that an 8" would be better, but at least I have use of my Dad's 8" if really needed.  I just don't like having to run over there every time I want to do anything so I think a 6" would meet most of what I'm likely to do.

Good point about the used machines, I really hadn't considered that yet.

Is the spiral head enough better to justify $300+ upgrade cost?

Fred

You've got a lot more space than you realize then. My old shop was 10x20 and I had a 6" jointer in there. My current shop is only 13x21. I've got a 10" jointer(84" beds), 15" planer, 17" bandsaw, 52" cabinet saw, 34"x44" router table, 3HP cyclone, a drill press mounted on a cabinet that is 24"x24",34"x82" bench/outfeed table, an MFT1080, a lumber rack that will hold about 500 BF of wood, and tool cabinets that have a total of 23 drawers and enough shelf space to hold 18 Festool systainers all stuffed inside my space. Even with all that stuff crammed in there, there's enough room for me and a helper to work comfortably for 8 hours a day every day. The only thing I breakdown regularly is the MFT, the rest of the stuff stays stationary 99% of the time. You just have to organize things properly and you'll be amazed at how much room you can create for things.

As to the spiral heads, you'll get varying answers on that one as value is percieved differently by everyone. I personally don't think the spirals are worth it for a joiner. Now on a planer, I think they are worth every penny and then some. Just my opinion. 

 

[bruegf]

I'm impressed - talk about putting 10 lbs of sh... er sawdust in a 5 lb bag.  I apparently need organzation lessons! 

One of the things I need to do is get rid of a few hundred board feet of burmese teak shorts that are taking up a 4' x 4' x 5' corner of my shop area in the basement.  An old 1950 vintage International Harvester refrigerator needs to go one these days too.  That would free up a noticeable chunk of space.

Thanks to all for all the input.

Fred

 

[Dave Rudy]

My current shop is only 13x21. I've got a 10" jointer(84" beds), 15" planer, 17" bandsaw, 52" cabinet saw, 34"x44" router table, 3HP cyclone, a drill press mounted on a cabinet that is 24"x24",34"x82" bench/outfeed table, an MFT1080, a lumber rack that will hold about 500 BF of wood, and tool cabinets that have a total of 23 drawers and enough shelf space to hold 18 Festool systainers all stuffed inside my space. Even with all that stuff crammed in there, there's enough room for me and a helper to work comfortably for 8 hours a day every day. The only thing I breakdown regularly is the MFT, the rest of the stuff stays stationary 99% of the time. You just have to organize things properly and you'll be amazed at how much room you can create for things.

As to the spiral heads, you'll get varying answers on that one as value is percieved differently by everyone. I personally don't think the spirals are worth it for a joiner. Now on a planer, I think they are worth every penny and then some. Just my opinion. 

PICS, please?  Showing exactly how it is that you get all that stuff into that space?

 

[bruegf]

Or a floorplan sketch would be great....

 

[Lou Miller]

I'll try to snap a few pics tonight if I remember.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

You've got a lot more space than you realize then. My old shop was 10x20 and I had a 6" jointer in there. My current shop is only 13x21. I've got a 10" jointer(84" beds), 15" planer, 17" bandsaw, 52" cabinet saw, 34"x44" router table, 3HP cyclone, a drill press mounted on a cabinet that is 24"x24",34"x82" bench/outfeed table, an MFT1080, a lumber rack that will hold about 500 BF of wood, and tool cabinets that have a total of 23 drawers and enough shelf space to hold 18 Festool systainers all stuffed inside my space. Even with all that stuff crammed in there, there's enough room for me and a helper to work comfortably for 8 hours a day every day. The only thing I breakdown regularly is the MFT, the rest of the stuff stays stationary 99% of the time. You just have to organize things properly and you'll be amazed at how much room you can create for things.

Lou,

I could sure use some organization ideas, and my wife would be delighted if I implemented them.  Could you post a sketch or photo showing how you arranged everything to fit in what appears to me to be a small space?  I am trying to figure out what to keep, what to sell and how to arrange what is left which includes 2.5 HP cyclone DC, 10" TS with extensions /router table, 1080 MFT, mechanic's roll-about tool chest, 10" jointer/planer, Shopsmith [my drill press, lathe and sanding center], 11" bandsaw, 20 gal tank air compressor, 10" mitre saw, shop vac, 2 large workbenches [at least one of which I want to keep because it is heavy [solid maple], rigid [and thus good for hand planing and carving] and it has good quality end and side vises, and some Festools, clamps and finishing supplies.  And I keep a small car in this garage which is approx. 15W x 25L x 8H.

Dave R.

 

[denverdad]

I am a relative noobie, so I'll throw in my 1/2 cent opinion: I also have the Ridgid jointer and like it for the money. I got a rebate, 12 months no payments, and a lifetime warranty for less than $350.

On the negative side, the first one I bought had twisted tables so it went back to the Depot, but the next one was great.

I swear when doing 6' boards, so if most of your work is 6' or longer I would look at a longer bed. If you're less than 6', the Ridgid leaves a lot of room in your wallet for more Festools.

Lou, I am also interested in seeing your amazing black hole workshop. I am in a 19'x19' carriage house with a lot of other junk, and spend more than half my time in the shop moving things around to make room for infeed and outfeed, find power, hook up DC, swearing, etc.

-Randy