Replies

1. 
   Scott_y | Jun 26, 2008 05:45am | #1

   Get the largest jointer you can possibly afford. I don't fell that bigger is better with most tools, but in this case, the limitations of a small planer will become evident much sooner rather than later.

2. 
   donr | Jun 26, 2008 05:46am | #2

   You need to think about what operation you want to make on it. IFor most operations I do, I think you need the longest bed available and I don't see how a benchtop jointer would be as good as a hand power plane.  The object for me is to get stock edges straight for glue up.  I don't think a short bed can do that.  I have a couple of power planes I use on door edges, etc. but I can't use them for edge glueing.  If  you are taking cup out of the face of stock, then the bench top is certainly not wide enough, let alone long enough. Hope that helps.

3. 
   Sean2112 | Jun 26, 2008 06:43am | #3

   You will absolutely not regret buying a large jointer, especially when you discover what they can do for the quality of your work. It will save time and material. If all you want to build is birdhouses and miniature windmills, then the bench top should suffice.
   Regards,
   Sean

4. 
   flairwoodworks | Jun 26, 2008 07:21am | #4

   Without hesitation, I suggest that you absolutely buy the biggest jointer you can.  6" is good.  8" is better.  12", even better.  Most benchtop planers are underpowered and have short beds, which makes truing lumber difficult.  It can be done with properly adjusted infeed/outfeed supports, though.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.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

5. 
   philip_r | Jun 26, 2008 10:13pm | #5

   I have good news for you.  A jointer is actually one of the few tools where BIGGER does equal BETTER!  Get the biggest one you can afford.  Many woodworkers start out with a 6" and later upgrade to an 8". 

   A Jointer, assuming everything is set up correctly, will easily straighten a board that is roughly twice the length of the beds... with that said, the longer the beds - the better

   A 6" jointer works well when edge jointing boards.  However, a 6" capacity can be extremely limiting when face-jointing.  For this reason, many of us eventually trade in our 6" for 8" or bigger.

   Personally, I have a 10" w/ a spiral cutterhead and 84" beds - a huge upgrade from the 6" jet that I use to have.

   Oh, and check the used market.  Craigslist.org is a great place to go.

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Jun 29, 2008 08:28am | #11

   Often it is not a question of what you can afford.  It is a question of what you have room for.  That said, I had a Sears Craftsman six inch for thirty some years and couldn't even make a good rocker for a chair.  Only the in feed table would adjust and what a job that was.  The out feed table was straight for about five inches then took a nose dive.  I bought an eight inch PJ 882 Powermatic.  I'm not going to try to make a comparison.  I will just say the PM is a sweet running tool and a pleasure to operate.

6. 
   pzaxtl | Jun 27, 2008 09:33am | #6

   To me, that question is somewhat like a guy, given the option, having to decide between a bigger pen*s or a smaller one.  I think the choice is rather apparent.

7. 
   gb93433 | Jun 27, 2008 07:55pm | #7

   Typically larger jointers have a larger diameter cutterhead.

8. 
   ohcomeon | Jun 29, 2008 04:52am | #8

   Benchtop jointers are virtually worthless.  I borrowed one from a friend a few years ago and I would never even use one again, much less buy one.  If you are planning to make furniture then by all means avoid the benchtop; they simply are not long enough to joint anything beyond a couple feet long.

9. 
   9619 | Jun 29, 2008 05:10am | #9

   Gen,
   You got some great advice.
   Years ago, Masters and Johnson said that size doesn't make any difference. They weren't talking about jointers.
   Have fun.
   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

10. 
    MDCustom | Jun 29, 2008 07:58am | #10

    Go with the 8". I purchased a used 6" jointer a year ago and am now wishing to upgrade. Building furniture from rough wood is easier when you can true up wider stock! I find great pleasure in taking what seems to be an unusable piece of curved/ cupped/ what-have-you wood and making it nice and straight with true edges. Hard to do with a benchtop model.
    With a 6", I find I still have to break out the bench planes to clean the edges that the jointer can't reach.