Planers and Jointers

[ZenMystic]

Finally got some cash rounded up for a bench top planer and a jointer.

I've been looking at the Makita 2012NB and Dewalt 735 planers. The Makita seems to get really good reviews. Any preferences?

Jointers...well, that ones a toss up. I haven't seen any one bench top model that seems to get rave reviews.  I have a Bench Dog router table with a Bosch 1617 in it that I rigged presently use similar to this (http://www.woodshopdemos.com/rtrplnr.htm). I'd really like a stand alone unit instead of using the router table rig.

Suggestions?

I'm on a budget of about $1500 for the both.

--Jeff

 

[mouppe]

I have a Ridgid R4330 benchtop planer and am really happy with it. It is a little cheaper than the Dewalt, works very well, replacement blades are cheap, snipe is minimal etc. I posted a review of it in the other tools section on the FOG.

I suggest you add this planer to your shortlist.

Richard.

 

[ZenMystic]

Thanks Richard. I've looked at the Ridgid also. I've seen good and bad reviews. The lifetime warranty is a definite selling point. I have a Ridgid table saw that I like and has worked like a champ.

 

[fidelfs]

If you don't need mobility why not look into those jointer/planer combo?  They are close to your budget.
One more thing you will have the jointer and planer the same width, something that many don't have.

 

[ZenMystic]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

find a nice older cast iron machine's.

For 1500 bucks you should be able to get 2 nice machines that will last you the rest of your life.

 

[ZenMystic]

Yeah, I've been digging around on craigslist but haven't found anything interesting yet. I'm sure something will pop up. I hate paying retail.

 

[ZenMystic]

Just found a Powermatic 6" long-bed jointer for $600 lightly used, like new condition.  I know this is a top notch jointer. The seller also has Dewalt 12" planer with stand for $400 like new condition. I wrote him and hope he still has them. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[fidelfs]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

Have you reviewed the amazon reviews?

Lumberjocks

Newwoodworker

I also have the same machine and I couldn't be more happy.  I have use it for hard maple, maple, oak, wenge, pine, poplar and I didn't have any problem.  I didn't have to set the beds, they were ok when I got the machine.  The best is that I have a 12" jointer.

 

[ZenMystic]

Thanks for the link.

The reviews I was looking at were for the smaller 10" model.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

I bought the jet combo and returned it the next week, the thing was so cheap and flimsy. Would stay away

 

[fidelfs]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

I bought the jet combo and returned it the next week, the thing was so cheap and flimsy. Would stay away

Is this the 500 lbs jointer you got? I don't think is flimsy. 

 

[TJ Cornish]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

I bought the jet combo and returned it the next week, the thing was so cheap and flimsy. Would stay away

There is an EXTREME difference between the three different Jet jointer/planers.

The 8" and 10" are sheetmetal toys that only cost a few hundred dollars.  The 12" is a $2000 cast iron quality machine which gets good reviews.  Do not confuse these - they are not remotely the same thing.

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

They will reside in my shop. No need to be mobile.

The Jet combo model doesn't get too many good reviews. Any other suggestions?

I bought the jet combo and returned it the next week, the thing was so cheap and flimsy. Would stay away

Is this the 500 lbs jointer you got? I don't think is flimsy. 

no i had the 10" you could almost knock it over if you bumped into it to hard. the one in your pic looks much much better than what i had 

 

[Dane]

You might take a look at this thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/most-economical-jointer-and-planer-for-around-$1000/msg98255/#msg98255 and scroll down to the discussion of the Rikon combo machine.  I have since gotten a chance to look at the unit in a shop and it is very solid, basically a copy of the much heralded Inca. 

 

[TJ Cornish]

You might take a look at this thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/most-economical-jointer-and-planer-for-around-$1000/msg98255/#msg98255 and scroll down to the discussion of the Rikon combo machine.  I have since gotten a chance to look at the unit in a shop and it is very solid, basically a copy of the much heralded Inca. 

Here's a link that works:
Rikon thread

 

[fidelfs]

You can see here the Rikon 12 " combo, It is basically the same as the Jet but with some good improvements. It is easier to convert from jointer to planner and viceversa.

Rikon 12"

Woodcraft 1853.97 shipping and surcharge included. Rikon 12 at Woodcraft
Amazon 1799 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping Rikon 12 at Amazon

 

[Dane]

Thanks for fixing that link.. Never have figured that out.  The 10" Rikon is about 700.00 at Woodcraft.  Not as substantial as the 12" mentioned above, but certainly more affordable.

 

[ZenMystic]

Yep, it's got me in a dilemma right now. [huh]

I really don't want a 6 inch jointer even though the used powermatic I found is a super deal. I'm probably going to save a bit more cash and see if I can score one of the 12" combos from Rikon or Jet.  If wood working was a full time job instead of a obsessive hobby I could justify spending the money, but at present it's hard to come off that much cash for a nice 12" unit.

I may just get a "good" cheap lunchbox planer like a ridgid or makita using a sled for flattening and continue to use the router jig for jointing until I can move up to a better solution. In the mean time, I'll still have them do my milling at the yard. It's not a big deal, nor all that extra in cost.

The big issue is that I would love to be able to mill all the recycled lumber I get from old barns and houses in the area that are being torn down. I've got a big stack in our barn begging me to do something with it.

 

[fidelfs]

This is my hobby too, but I was tired to ripping nice wood into 6 inches and then having the planner with more capacity.

I saved like you and look into ebay, I bought mine 12" combo in ebay, it cost me close to USD 1,600.00