OK it’s time to upgrade to a new jointer, goodbye to my old old rockwell beaver (my first). Trouble is I am not sure which brand to but I will get the current issue as it seems to be timely. Has anyone out there purchased one recently. I was thinking my best bet micht be House of tools. I do want the longest bed possible say at a max price of $1200.00
crpntr5
Replies
Hi crpntr5,
The next issue of Fine Woodworking features a review of jointers. There's also a great video on the homepage about choosing a new jointer.
https://www.finewoodworking.com
Matt Berger
Taunton New Media
Matt,
Just wondering, how did Fine Woodworking obtain these machines for the tests? I'll admit, I'm skeptical about some of the things shown and stated.
I hope this eases your concerns about our tool reviews...
Some tools are purchased through a retailer (typically online), or we acquire tools from the manufacturer direct off the production line. In the latter case, they come to us in the same packaging that you would get if purchased through a retailer. I can assure you that manufacturers are not cherry picking products or we wouldn't receive so many damaged tools.
The tester, sometimes with help from our shop manager, John White, assembles each tool and puts them through tests described in our articles. A log is kept on each tool that is used to compare the products at the end of the test period. Then the tools are disassembled, repackaged, and returned to the manufacturer. Matt Berger
Taunton New Media
Matt,
Thanks for the reply. I fully expected Fine Woodworking to be proper about this. The only reason I asked is because I have heard some rather unsavory stories about certain "tool tests" lately, in other magazines. I also recently was speaking with someone who works for a major camera manufacturer, and he told me point blank that his company has him check over cameras going out for testing with extra-special care.
"Then the tools are disassembled, repackaged, and returned to the manufacturer."One can't help but ask, are these destined to be marketed as either 'floor models' or 'demo' machines - for those of us looking for a bargain?? (grin)
Just get the one with thhe longest bed you can find.
Here's a little secret I'll share with only you... ShopFox 8" spiral head jointer. Check it out.
If you want to pay a little more for a better name, then the General Intl Model 80-200HC (Helical Cutter Head) is pretty much the top of the line in 8" jointers. Theres nothing wrong with the good ole Powermatic 8" Jointer either.
I'm going to buck the current trend of bashing Delta and say the Delta 8" proffesional jointer. It has a 70 odd inch bed, half of that infeed which is important. 1 1/2 HP motor and a rack and pinion fence. The only thing I would do to improve on it is to put in a link belt in place of the stock belt. I've had one for a few years with thousands of linear feet going over it and no problems.
Brent
Edited 10/14/2005 5:42 am ET by BrentS
Look at Wilke Machinery, I bought the Yorkcraft 8'' has a 72'' table, a good value & It works great. Rickk
I was interested in the Yorkcraft in part because I liked that built-in mobile base, but unfortunately they quoted me $325 to ship to California. But for someone who can pick it up directly, it may be a good option.
Doesn't look like a spiral cutterhead is in your budget, but you could convert the cutterhead later on down the road. I'd sure love to have one -- the advantages are great.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Here's and idea what you might expect to pay from a retailer:
8" Delta X5 Model 37-365 $1,669.00
General 480-1-M2 $ 2489.00
Powermatic Model 60B $1199.99
ShopFox W1684 $1,099.00
ShopFox W1705 $1,595.00 (Spiral Cutter Head)
Grizzlys pricing on the the ShopFox items will surely be better than retail since they own ShopFox.
Matt is also correct about cherry picking. It isn't going to happen with todays centralized distribution systems. They might pick the best looking box but that all goes out the window the minute it hits the truck.
thank you...
If you are looking at General, then also look at General International. Same manufacturer, lower line.
crpntr,
The first mail order tool I ordered was the 8 inch grizzly.. It's got a 75 inch bed and 4 cuttereheads. So far it's jointed nearly 30,00 bd. ft. of hardwoods like Oak, maple etc.. In that period it broke one (of three fan belts) I went to the nearest auto parts store and bought a replacement belt (yeh, just one, did I mention that I'm cheap?) It's held up,... since I'll bet 10,000 bd.ft. of hardwood have gone thru since it was replaced.
Now the rest of the story,
When it arrived it was obvious that the crate had lost several fights with forklifts.. One phone call to a very polite and helpfull lady and they had the replacement parts here the next day on overnight express..( No charge for anything!) I suppose it added another six or seven minutes to set up time but since it's worked so well since I bought it I've ordered several more pieces of equipment from Grizzly. (none of which have arrived damaged) all of them have been flawless since I purchased them..
Let me explain how I abuse the stuff I get from Grizzly.
I'm building a timberframe home, actually a double timberframe home with timbers on the inside as well as the outside.. I think nothing of setting a 20 foot long 6x12 whit oak timber on the jointer or any other piece of equipment.. with proper infed and outfeed tables I get great results...
Timbers go thru my 20" planner, my jointer, the 3 hp shaper or the 12 inch tablesaw. The shop is underconstruction and the tarps do a marginal job of keeping light rain out and pizz poor job of keeping out heavy rain.. yeh stuff rusts, I sand the rust off and rewax it and everything still works perfectly.. Most of the tools are 3 or 4 years old at this point..
carptr5,
You can buy a 8" x75 Grizzly with a spiral head cutter for $1295 or one with four cutter blades for only $895..
Go to grizzly.com
Correction:
The Grizzly 8x75 is not $1,295.
It is $1,377.That includes a $82.25 NON-REFUNDABLE shipping charge.I'm sure I'll piss someone off by stating this FACT, but if you have any issues with the machine and have to ship it back to Grizzly, you're out $294.50 ($82.25 times two, plus $130 "re-stocking fee").If you buy it from Amazon, original shipping and any return shipping is free.Of course, if you live near a Grizzly factory, then this is a different story! In that case, it might be worth it.
Edited 10/16/2005 1:59 pm ET by MatthewSchenker
MatthewSchenker,
Yes there is shipping on the Grizzly but on the other hand I didn't pay any sales tax.. it's about a horse apiece..
Issues with Grizzly? like what? I've purchased 6 major pieces from them and the one that was damaged in shipping had the required parts the next day! The rest have been flawless and extremely durable. I wish I could say as much about the Delta stuff I've purchased.. I bought a contractors saw here locally and the local dealer would ship it back to the factory only if I paid for the shipping! It needed to be shipped back because,.. well it was a miserable P.O.S. The Delta planners were hopless and getting the factory to send handles for the one which had no handles in the box when I opened it was a 45 day experiance at frustration..
I'm a buy American kinda guy. That's why when I had troubles with Delta and the contractors saw I still purchased the planners.. I still have one planner It's that rusted hulk in the corner that someday I might fix..
Once I found out that nearly everything Delta sells nowdays comes from China/ Tiawan and probably from nearly the same plant as Grizzly I became a little more open to other products..
frenchy,
You wrote:
"Yes there is shipping on the Grizzly but on the other hand I didn't pay any sales tax.. it's about a horse apiece.."Yes, unless there is a problem!
Matthew,
If we stipulate that:
1. You are unhappy with Grizzly and its shipping policies,
and
2. You are remarkably single-minded on the subject...
could you limit yourself to no more than 35 posts a month reminding us of this fact?
We could devote the unused space to life's more solvable problems such as peace in the Middle East or Paris Hilton's acting career problems...Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Glaucon,
My comments are relevant here.Actually, I'm not single-minded on this. I limit my criticism, and I have often said that Grizzly may be a good option if you don't have to deal with shipping. In other words, I don't simply criticize, and I have been very fair to Grizzly considering my experience with them.
Edited 10/17/2005 9:26 am ET by MatthewSchenker
MatthewSchenker
When you first posted your complaint about Grizzly I explained how you could resolve your issues. You said you didn't want to do that..
That's your right. But if there is a solution offered and you fail to accept it it limits your credibility..
frenchy,
I did take the opportunity to resolve it. When did I ever say I didn't want to do that?
crpntr5,
You can get a Delta DJ20 (non X5) for $1300 from Amazon. Free shipping. Width is 8", and length is 76" with a 42" infeed table. Maybe a little more than you were targeting, but I suspect that the only people who regret a DJ20 over the long haul probably wish they'd bought something wider.
I have the Delta DJ-20 and have been pretty happy with it overall. I read reviews on Amazon and there was criticism on the DJ-20 fence flexing. Personally, I thought how can a piece of cast iron flex they are nuts and went ahead and bought it. It turns out the fence does flex when you bump it with a big piece of wood. The Powermatic 60 Aat the time was rated higher (US Made), but I don't know about the 60B (import).
Amazon was 1450 when I bought i. No shipping and a spare set of blades. Didn't come with a dust chute and charged $25 for it. I ordered it, 5 inch connector made of sheet metal and had to be drilled to fit. Rip off. Buy a 4 inch plastic cover and save your time and money if you get this one.
All I can say is that I thank God Almightly I don't need to buy any more tools.
I wouldn't have 9/10ths of the junk FW recently reviewed. Evaluating how these units performed AGAINST EACH OTHER is about as useless as tits on a boar hog.
Which piece of crap smells the least? We have a winner and Editor's Choice.
Edited 10/17/2005 3:31 pm ET by charlesstanford
Probably well beyond your price goal but American Woodworker's September issue tested ten eight inch planers. Their choice was the Powermatic PJ 882. They say $1500. It's like shopping for a used car. You look for an el-cheapo, then look at progressively more expensive ones till you get to the brand new jobs. Then reflecting on your finances, you start all over again. --My third attempt at posting.
I would recommend the DJ20. Shop around and you might find it below the 1500 price. I think I paid about $1350 a few years back. The comments about the fence not staying square are correct, but I have found this problem to be a minor issue compared to the advantages of the long- tailed bed. Once I discovered how nice it is to set those big boards on that nice, long rear support table, I can't even look at another woman.........eh, jointer. I guess I just love big tail ends!
Right now the Yorkcraft is 649.00 with 30.00 FDS shipping.
I bought a Delta DJ-20 a few years ago and have been satisfied.
It has a Long bed with easy adjustment of fence and depth. I didn't know if I would like the lever adjustment, but it is quick and I don't even think about it know.
You will really appreciate the move up to a long bed, it is so much easier and accurate than the short bed.
Bob
i am also looking to buy a new 8" jointer and am kinda in the same boat as you. decisions, decisions, decisions....have you considered the grizzly? they have the model G0500 on close out special now for $695.00 or they have the new model G0586 for $625.00. both of these jointers have 75" bed with 4 blade cutterhead and 2HP motor. i really like the looks of the new model G0586 but have not been able to find very many people that have that model for their opinions. there are a lot of positive customer reviews(not magazine reviews) on the model G0500. i have been told they were the same except the paint, switch, and place of manufacturing. the G0586 is from china and the G0500 is from taiwan. i dont think there would be much difference in that. maybe you know something about grizzly that i dont. i know they are a low line tool but have seen a lot of positive customer review on them.
jmckee44
add me to thatlist of happy Grizzly users!
I will pile on the Grizzly bandwagon. I couldn't handle the Delta price point so took what appeared by many posts here to be a relatively safe bet and went with the G0500. As some have mentioned, it can be a bit of a bear to get the belts positioned and tensioned. Also, my model had the bolt-on table ends - a major pain to get properly aligned (the new G0500 has a solid table).
To me the most important attribute of a good jointer is a flat table, and mine is no more than 0.0015" out of flat across the whole thing. Second, it should stay where you put it. So far, I've jointed hundreds of board feet, including lots of hard maple, and it has performed as expected.
I don't want to get into all the politics that has been trashing this otherwise fine forum lately. All I can say is this was a successful purchase for me and I received more than fair value. In the end you need to be comfortable with the risks associated with any mail order purchase.
I have just gone through the same process and bought the Powermatic PJ882. I have a 6"Jet Jointer that is 3 years old. I hardly use it because it is so narrow and underpowered. I have learned to flaten one side of rough saw lumber with hand planes and run the other side through the planner which is 13" and 1 1/2 horsepower. Being able to do it by hand planes is a great skill to have but more time consuming.
I recently had the experience of using some European combination machines and loved them. I seriously looked at a Hammer 12" combo machine which is still my first choice but compromised on the powermatic due to cash flow. I buy my lumber in Eastern Kentucky and it comes in variable widths from the mill. Some, I calulated 20% is wider than 8". It looks like i will still be hand planning some since I do not want to rip a beautiful 10" wide piece of cherry or walnut.
I opted for the Powermatic because of the 2hp motor. The Delta DJ 20 has a 1 1/2 hp. In another forum someone said they asked Delta what the difference between the new X model and the DJ 20 was and was told they are the same machine. I also liked the parellogram style bed adjustment of both the Powermatic and Delta. The Delta is $1299 through Amazon which is where I bought my Powermatic. it is to be delivered next Wednesday and I ma a little nervous about buying this kind of machine mail order but they all come this way to any retailer.
Good luck.
I have a Delta DJ-20 that I bought used thru a listing HERE on Knots about a year and half ago. I've been happy with it overall after having bought a mobile base (It ain't light).
If I was looking to buy new, I'd consider those offered with the spiral heads if you intend to work w/ difficult hardwoods.
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