Hey – need a little advice
I am in the market for a 6″ jointer. I’m not on a budget, but I don’t want to spend unnecessary money. I just getting started in woodworking and have a table saw and a planer. I am looking at a jointer purchase so I can buy cheaper, better quality wood for my projects and plane it / joint it myself.
In the Fine Woodworking Tool Guide for 2005, the Powermatic came out as the best of the bunch, but I don’t to want to spend that much cash. The Yorkcraft got “best value” and a statement implying that it’s the same unit as the Delta. It’s certainly an eye opening price, though it’s now $339 from Wilke in PA. I called to find that the shipping is $99 to me in NC, but it’s still a deal with no sales tax. I even asked whether it was the same as the Delta and was told it came out of the same factory. I can get the Delta X5 jointer for $544 at Amazon with free shipping. So that gets me to roughly $100 price difference.
The real question – is the Yorkcraft the SAME machine with the same performance??
Coming out of the same factory doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same machine, though it could be. I know the Delta may not be the “jointer to buy,” but Delta always seems to be a consideration with the name. The Fine Woodworking Tool Guide implied that the Yorkcraft and Delta are the same unit. It’s a great deal, but I don’t want to sacrifice performance for a few dollars. I’d like to stay under $500 out the door (tax, title, and tag).
Any have a Yorkcraft that speak from experience? Any other advice on a jointer purchase?
Replies
Tim,
I can't speak from experience regarding the Delta, but I just took delivery of the Yorkcraft 6" about 2 wks ago. IMHO - and based on early impressions - it's a nice machine for the $$$. Well machined, true surfaces, nice rack and pinion fence (the fence is also bit longer than most other 6" jointers). It was also setup perfectly out of the box and required nothing more than assembly and cleaning the grease off the machined surfaces.
The integral wheels also work nicely - an important consideration for me as my shop is only 13'x20'. If mobility is important to you, then the price difference between the Delta and Yorkcraft grows - figure on $60-90 or so for a mobile base - to $160-190 give or take. I don't know about you, but I'm not married to brand names unless there's a real difference in product features, performance or quality. Not sure that's the case between the Delta and Yorkcraft.
Lastly . . . how's it cut, you ask? Very nicely. Glass smooth surfaces on Peruvian walnut and cherry. Haven't run many bd ft through the machine yet. I'll be doing that starting Saturday as I begin work on my wife's anniversary present. Good luck w/your decision.
Mark
I'll second that last post from malex - I've had a 6" Yorkcraft for about a year and I'm quite happy with it. Aside from some grease cleaning and some time to perfect the fence setup to 90 degrees, it came together well out of the box (although the instructions were a bit out of date) and cuts well.
Mark,
I really appreciate your thoughts on the jointers. I have to say, I left out the added expense of the mobile base since the Delta does not come with one. It's nice to actually hear from someone who has put their hands on it and run some boards through it. To be honest, I'm so early in this woodworking hobby that I might not know good from great. I'd know good from bad, but I'd have a hard time weeding out the top contenders since I minimal experience with how the results are supposed to look. Had the same struggle when I bought the table saw early this year. Made some ripping cuts and just never felt like I knew how many saw blade marks is acceptable/expected. Guess you get that from experience.
I share your opinion - I don't buy the brand. If the Delta and Yorkcraft are truly the same unit, buying brand is costing $200 more. That doesn't quite seem smart unless I get $200 more machine or better service for it. I'll spend the money if I am can feel sure of it.
Thanks for your input. I may be ordering one myself after the next paycheck comes in.
Tim
I don't own the YC, but am familiar with the Delta, and have read alot of comments about both. YC owners are typically very upbeat about that jointer. It also comes with built in wheels which are nice feature.
The Delta has a longer warranty. If the prices get reasonably close, I'd go with the Delta, but wouldn't hesitate to save $100 with the YC.
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