Most economical Jointer and Planer for around $1000

[Mark]

I am a hobbyist and need a jointer and planer to mill recycled wood. I'd like to get a combo machine but they are too expensive and I'm working out of a garage and can't leave equipment out so space is a big concern. The Dewalt 735 planer has gotten good reviews and I think that's what I'm aiming for, but what is a good jointer for say $600-700? The stock I'm working with is no wider than 6" as most of this is reclaimed pallet lumber. Jet makes a 8" jointer planer combo machine but it looks like a toy, and the same motor also drives a 10" set up for around $600. I'm in a decision ditch but to really go forward in what I want to make requires "milled" square lumber...DUH. Any advice for a Jointer and Planer for around $1000? Thanks Much.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

The Ridgid planers are well regarded.  I have the TP1300 and have gotten several years of good use out of it, and it is still going strong (AND only on its second set of knives).  IMO it is the best in its category and especially at the price point.  The new planer is also well regarded, but I can't speak for it personally.

Home Depot just recently clearanced all DW735s, so be on the lookout on Craiglist as people have been reselling them...

As far as jointers go, I have the JET JJ-6CSX and it works great.  6-1/8" max width, but it has a lot going for it.  110V, good dust collection, solid, etc... and can be had for around $500 if you're not in a huge hurry (e.g. sales, Woodcraft discounts, etc).  Put it on a quality mobile base that locks solid, and you're all set.  Although, one of the beautiful things about jointers is that you can set them parallel against a wall.

 

[bijeshj]

I am in the market as well and have been looking at the grizzly g0675 jointer/planer. Though I have not been able to get a lot of feedack on it on the net.

 

[Dane]

Might take a look at the Rikon combo:  http://www.rikontools.com/productpage_25-010.htm  It can be ordered from Woodcraft for about 600- 700 I think.  I have been pondering it for awhile now, just wish I could find some reviews.

 

[peter halle]

Mark,

If you are considering that Dewalt planer, I would recommend locating an alternate source of blades for it.  The Dewalt blades do not last long.  I think that there are a couple of sources out there - even carbide.

Peter

 

[Carson]

I'll second the recommendation to look at the Rikon.
Seems to be a reincarnation of the Inca planer/jointer, and at $600-700, pretty good bang for the buck.

 

[Christopher Fitch]

They have an 8" benchtop model and a 10" model

http://www.jetwilton.com/us/manufacturing/en/products.html?node=4531&category=7200

The 8" seems to be around $300 and the 10" is about $600.

 

[Gene Howerton]

I bought the Rikon 10" jointer planer before Christmas and I like it, it a copy of the old Inca, works great in my Festool shop and it is green. [laughing].  I just about done making a stand for it that will make the jointer beds, which are short, match the height of my MFT.

 

[Dane]

Hi Gene-  you are the first person that I have run across that has purchased the Rikon.  Any way you could post a little review for the rest of us?  Or maybe a few photos at the least?  The difficulty for me in
finally buying one is just a lack of info.  I would love to see how it is changed into planer mode, how smooth the adjustments are, etc.

 

[John Stevens]

Hi Gene-  you are the first person that I have run across that has purchased the Rikon.  Any way you could post a little review for the rest of us?

Same here, Gene.  I hate to impose on your time, but if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to hear your impression on whether the alignment of the beds is affected by changing from jointer to planer or vice versa; how stable the fence is; how "even" the planer head is from side to side; how smoothly the planer and jointer height adjustment is...stuff like that.  Many thanks in advance if you're able to find a little time to share your experience.  My "woodshop" is a tiny part of my basement and I'd love to ditch my separate planer and jointer.

Regards,

John

 

[Gene Howerton]

Ok, I will give it a shot.  I bought it before Christmas, I had Woodcraft order for me.  The alignment of the beds are not effected when you change from planer to jointer mode.  You take off the out-feed table with the use of cam locks, hope to have a picture soon.  That way you can set the jointer depth and it is not effected when changing operations.  I have my jointer set to remove 1/32".  The fence is the weakest part of the machine.  It works, but I check it for square before I use it.  The jointer height is set by turning the knob on the in-feed table that makes the slide on a sled, really quite neat.

Changing it to the planer mode, is easy, remove the fence, undo the cam locks and remove the out-feed table and crank the planer table up, flip over the dust chute and you are set.  The planer head is even from side to side.  The dust collection is not up to Festool standards, I need to work on this item.

The machine is basically a copy of the Inca 570, with the motor mounted under the machine.  It works for me and its small size is a plus in my shop.  I like it.  I will take some pictures and post tomorrow.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[John Stevens]

Ok, I will give it a shot.

Hi, Gene.  You've probably seen this web page, but if not, check out the last pic, where the owner drilled a hole so he could use an electric drill to raise and lower the tables when changing from planer to jointer and vice versa.  You may also be interested in the DC mod.

http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/inca_570.shtml

Thanks for the info on the machine--time for me to call Byrd to see if they can make a Shelix head for it.  (Got one on my jointer, now I'm spoiled.)

Regards,

John

 

[John Stevens]

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sorry, Gene, I do have one more question--induction motor or universal?  Couldn't seem to find the info online.

Regards,

John

 

[Gene Howerton]

Not sure about your question but it plugs into the wall with a standard plug.  I can't figure out how to post a picture, if some will direct me to a thread that shows how then I can get some pictures up.

 

[peter halle]

Gene:

Try this link for posting picture help  [big grin]:  http://festoolownersgroup.com/gallery-attaching-images/how-do-i-insert-photos-into-a-post-video-tutorial/

Peter

 

[Dane]

John-
Let me know if you find any info on the helix head option.....Does anyone know the rule of thumb about what length of stock you can feed across certain lengths of jointers?  I'm wondering what is the longest board that could be processed on the Rikon.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Sorry, Gene, I do have one more question--induction motor or universal?  Couldn't seem to find the info online.

Regards,

John

Hi John, based on the motor RPM of 3400 and the fact that it can be wired for 220v it looks like it's good ol induction. Good because its much quieter than universal (think router) type motors.

"Motor
Amps 16/8
Horsepower 1-1/2 HP
Volts 110/220V
Hertz 60 Hz
RPM 3400"

 

[Gene Howerton]

I have enclosed the Pictures. 

The First one shows the cams used on the out-feed table
The Second shows it in the Jointer position.
The Picture shows it in the planer position.  This only take less than a minute to change over.
The Fourth Picture shows it on the stand I make that uses the MFT assisting as the out-feed table, I have two MFTs and my idea is that on a long boards one can be used for in-feed and one for out-feed.  Hope this helps

[attachimg=Picture 1.jpg]

[attachimg=Picture 2.jpg]

[attachimg=Picture 3.jpg]

[attachimg=Picture 4.jpg]

 

[Dane]

That's awesome.  Thanks a lot for posting those.  I think I am sold.

 

[Mark]

The build quality of the Rikon seems better than the Jet. I also like the Euro style blade guard vs. the traditional flipper thing on the Jet. Thanks for posting.