Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 01, 2009 07:20am | #1

   You can get a pretty decent jointer for around $400.  All of the benchtop models I've seen have lacked adjustability and mass.  If you get one, it costs say $200, when you want to upgrade you're lucky to get $100. 

   Your profile doesn't list your location, but if you're in any kind of urban area, check out Craig's List.  Grizzly sells a Woodstock open-stand jointer for $314 including shipping.  The low-end Grizzly brand 6" would require you to go to $469 (including shipping).  Home Depot's Ridgid 6" is $429, what's nice about that is you can check out the table flatness and stuff, return it if it doesn't check out.

   It's just so likely that you'll want to upgrade a benchtop fairly soon, hard to see dropping a couple hundred$$ on one, IMHO.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/28/2009 11:23 pm by forestgirl

2. 
   bones | Mar 01, 2009 04:21pm | #2

   I'm with FG on this one. Those things are a PIA.  Even the small 6" are tough.  Save a few pennies more and get either a used machine or go with a LN # 7 and winding sticks.  I used that instead of the small delta 6" I had till I saved enough to get the Griz.  Gave the delta to my brother. 

   (update) I had not been to the Grizz site for a while they have a 6" in the  ball park. 

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-Jointer/G0452

    

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/1/2009 8:52 am by bones

3. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 01, 2009 04:24pm | #3

   Quite some time ago I attempted to use a friends benchtop jointer, if I recall it was 4" capacity.  What I found was that because of its weight, or lack thereof we had to afix it to the bench to keep it from sliding around - not a good thing.

   Then the bed height was too high to use comfortably/safely when affixed to the bench so would have needed to make a stand use.

   Perhaps the biggest issue was that, again because of the 4" capacity, the pieces were so small that I/we simply didn't feel all warm and cumfy, safety wise, actually using it. 

   Even with appropriate stock handling devices there's something about passing small stock over those spinning blades that makes me nervous.  It's that feeling I get when attempting to make a cut that my subconscious keeps telling me, "Bob - this is not safe".........................  Mebbe it's just me?

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/1/2009 8:26 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

1. 
   Domer | Mar 01, 2009 05:21pm | #4

   In our area, there are almost always is a pretty decent 6" jointer on craigslist. I just picked up a 6" Jet for $400.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 02, 2009 03:10pm | #5

   Good deal, I also have a 6" Jet.  Bought it from my sawyer when he needed bigger iron as he also sells finished wood.  I primarily use mine for dressing edges so don't need a wider one.

   Another good thing about buying a used jointer is that you can see what you're buying befoe laying down your money.  I was able to road test mine before buying it which, most likely you can't do when buying a new one.

   Regards,

    

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   PeteBradley | Mar 02, 2009 10:00pm | #6

   If you're willing to wait and watch a bit, I find that old Delta/Homecraft 4" jointers come up with some regularity. These are very heavy for their size and built to last several lifetimes. They'll need new bearings, but there isn't a lot of rocket science to replace them. A typical price would be $75-100, sometimes less.

   Pete