bench top planners and compact jointers
swifty6
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
The current web page features a discussion of very small shops. I have to plan for a very small space. We plan to downsize our home as soon as possible my shop space will be very limited. At one time I had a Powermatic 8 inch long bed Jointer and a 15 inch Delta planner. They took up so much space that I reluctantly sold them. Is there a reliable bench top planer that I could bolt to a bench top and remove when not in use? The same goes for a jointer. I have seen shops in the UK and it is amazing what can be done in a small space.
Replies
You can do this with almost any of the portable planers, though the Dewalt 735 is pretty heavy. You might find this article useful, and the Makita is a good machine.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/Workshop/WorkshopArticle.aspx?id=30886
I have a SC fitted into a flip-top table that sits under the tablesaw when not in use.
I have a six-inch floor model jointer that isn't really big enough, but still manages to get in the way wherever I put it in my small shop. Had they been available back then, I would have gone for a combo machine. I don't think a benchtop jointer is worth having unless you confine yourself to making small pieces. At the moment I'm hand planing a 14" cherry board. I'd have to cut it into 3 to be able to use the jointer on it.
Jim
I think that you'll be hard pressed to find a good benchtop jointer. There are lots of good benchtop planers however. A combination jointer/planer will likely give you the best quality jointer, which as a bonus will likely be 10" or wider to match the planer. Inca made one, but I don't think they're around any more. I have one but haven't used it yet.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
(soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Thanks for your help.You have given me some great ideas.
I don't know anything about them but Jet just came out with 2 benchtop jointer/planer combos. One is 8" and the other is 10".
http://www.cpojettools.com/categories/woodworking/planers_and_jointers/planer_jointer_combination_machines.html
swifty - check craigslist for used INCA jointer/planer combo w/ tersa blades. For a small one-person shop, these are a great choice. I recently saw one in Fresno for @ $350. You get 10 1/4" jointing and planing
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled