Opinions on large jointers?

Toolinator · Mar 10, 2016

I currently have a 6" Delta cheapie craigslist-find-of-a-jointer. It's been okay for the past couple years as I got into the hobby.

I'm looking to upgrade. I'd like something that will won't need upgrading for 20+ years.

I've been looking at:
- 12" grizzly w/ byrd type head. $2.7K
- 12" Baileigh w/ straight knives but 5hp. $4.4K
- 12" Laguna w/ byrd type head. $5.0K'ish
- 12" Powermatic w/ byrd head. $6.8K (eliminated, too much money for so-so quality).
- 16" Minimax planer/jointer combo. $5K-$7K (american pork-chop blade cover)
- 16" Felder. $6K-$8K (euro blade cover)

Any other jointers to consider? Opinions on the direction I should take?

Am I crazy to pay 2x for 16" Minimax over a grizzly??

TomGadwa1 · Mar 10, 2016

I own a HAMMER A3-31 (12 inch) combo unit. It has the silent cutter. It is a solid machine. I posted a video on Youtube about it. They also have a 16 inch unit. HAMMER is made in the same factory as the Felder machines. HAMMER is what they call the "Hobbyist Line" of product. Still made to order in the Austrian factory. If you need it quick then look elsewhere. If you can wait for them to build your machine it is kind of neat to think that the machine is being made especially for you. This is because the factory does not carry static inventory!!!! Everything in site at their facility that is being built has already been sold. In my dreams my factory would have the same issue!!!

Kev · Mar 10, 2016

Deffo consider the Hammer. I was playing with the silent cutter Hammers and the "kitchen sink included" Felders at the show room. The Hammer does absolutely everything I need ... the Felder has features and accessories that take to an even higher level, but if you're not going to use them, the Hammer makes better economic sense.

rvieceli · Mar 10, 2016

Personally, if you go over 8 inches I think you should be looking for older American iron. Brands to look for would be Oliver, Crescent/Rockwell, Fay and Egan, Yates, Moak among others.

Here's a 12 inch Crescent in your area. You can still see the machining pattern on the bed.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tld/5469405724.html

These machines a built like tanks and still have many years of service left in them. Many used off the shelf parts that can still be had today.

Here's another oldie but goodie in 16 inch
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/5482235790.html

grbmds · Mar 10, 2016

I would say it all depends on what you're looking for. I upgraded to a helical head 8" Jet a couple of years ago from a small old Rockwell short bed 6". I'm sure there will be others who will say that you need as wide as you can get and name some of those brands you listed. However, I was never sorry I bought the 8" helical Jet. I have not found the need to face joint boards wider than 8" since I've bought it as I almost never use boards wider than 8" anymore. The Jet has plenty of power. The helical head is not the best on the marked but it does a great job and I have not yet encountered any downsides to it. Obviously it won't work if you joint greater than 8" boards on a regular basis. Also, I'd add that, if you have a basement shop without ground level entry, you might want to consider up front the logistics of getting a large piece of equipment into the basement. The Jet was over 300 lbs and some those you listed would likely be much heavier. For me, the Jet works great and does exactly what I need it to every time at a much lower purchase cost than those you listed. Just something else to think about.

Thistleman · Mar 10, 2016

I have been in the process of upgrading to 'lifetime' tools and machinery for the past two years. Being UK based Powermatic and Grizzly are not really an option. I have trawled the Internet and visited showrooms to see in the flesh what is available and finally came to a decision. The Felder AD741 planer thicknesser arrives next week. Enough said

Kev · Mar 11, 2016

Thistleman said:
I have been in the process of upgrading to 'lifetime' tools and machinery for the past two years. Being UK based Powermatic and Grizzly are not really an option. I have trawled the Internet and visited showrooms to see in the flesh what is available and finally came to a decision. The Felder AD741 planer thicknesser arrives next week. Enough said

You bought the Bentley then eh? [wink] [big grin]

[member=17006]Thistleman[/member]

WarnerConstCo. · Mar 17, 2016

I wouldn't buy any of those. Get a real jointer.

RJNeal · Mar 17, 2016

I have a 16" Yates that I will part with...
Rick

WarnerConstCo. · Mar 17, 2016

RJNeal said:
I have a 16" Yates that I will part with...
Rick

How much?

RJNeal · Mar 21, 2016

I will pm you Darcy.
Looking to trade it for a 12".
I'm thinking that I could loose my 6" and 16" and replace them with and 12" and gain some space in my shop.

Opinions on large jointers?

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