Replies

1. 
   Mackwood | Nov 04, 2004 02:38am | #1

   Kenney66,

   A. Buy/borrow John White's book "Care and Repair of Shop Machines".  It will teach you everything you need to know about tuning a jointer (and probably more).

   B. The budget you're talking about will get you a top shelf 8" jointer, brand new.

   C.  You could spend a quarter of that on a nice used one or about half on a very servicable brand new one (Grizzly or similar).

   D. With your budget, a helical head would be within reach and should be considered.

   Study well; buy wisely!

   Regards,

   Mack

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

2. 
   robkelly | Nov 04, 2004 03:10am | #2

   If you've got that big a budget, I'd look for a used 12". There are going to be a lot of times you want to face joint a 10" board, if you're doing entry doors or similar large stuff. Also, with a 12", you can reserve the back 2 or 3" for teak or other abrasive woods, and you still have plenty of room for everyday use.

   Today I sold my 16" 4 knife Wotan (German, 1959) jointer for $4000. It had a 98" bed, a 5 hp motor, turned about 5600rpm, and weighed about a thousand pounds. I had it for about 15  years and it would flatten any board I could lift. It left in a truck for Ventura, CA at 11:00 am.

   The old Craftsman 6" jointer is easy to adjust yourself. Order the owner's manual from Sears. If it's a model 113.20680 or 113.206930 and Sears doesn't have one, I could send you a copy of mine. It's an underpowered tool which is fine for anything less than 5' long. I use it mainly for edges on small stuff and tapering table legs.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/3/2004 8:16 pm ET by rob

3. 
   mudman | Nov 04, 2004 08:00am | #3

   The Delta DJ-20 is the cats meow for smaller shops. A truly great piece of machinery. Also look at Grizzlys better 8" machines; like their "Ultimate 8" Jointer".

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
4. 
   Ardito | Nov 04, 2004 05:56pm | #4

   Kenney66,

   You will want to visit Berland's House of Tools in Palatine.  They carry all of the tools and they also can give you a recommendation on a repair service for your 6".    http://www.berlandtools.com/

   I live in the NW suburbs as well and I usually only visit Berlands or Wood Craft in Palatine.

   Go with the Delta DJ20 8".

   Cheers!
   Dark Magneto

1. 
   kenney66 | Nov 04, 2004 08:14pm | #5

   Thanks for the info. I have taken a few classes at Woodcraft and have visited Berlands.  I found out too that Woodcraft is having a jointer tune-up, table saw tune-up, and band saw tune-up demonstrations on 11/13/04.  I plan on going there and getting some more tips.

5. 
   SRToolguy | Nov 05, 2004 06:13am | #6

   As per the previous recommendations, the Delta DJ20 is a good jointer, on a par with the powermatic 8" but only because the DJ20 is really an Invicta. A better 8" is the General. I've got a 16" Invicta for around 3500.00. We affectionately refer to it as our own personal aircraft carrier. Its a 3 phase so probably not what you want. I do have a matching Invicta 32" band saw that would really make your shop look great.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

6. 
   DJK | Nov 05, 2004 04:21pm | #7

   For a $2000 budget you could outfit a shop with a bunch of used equipment. If you take the time to look and post WTB ads one could find the machines cheap. The midwest area is loaded with used equipment but you need to look, it's not going to find you..

   DJK

1. 
   IronDog | Nov 05, 2004 05:44pm | #8

   DLK,

   I would very much second the idea of purchasing used equipment and going for a 12" jointer.

   I recently picked up one from a basement in Pa. for 950.00

   Great old beast, that weighs about 1600#. Runs beautifully.

   Try this place... irsauctions.com and do a google search for more used woodworking places. There are lots of them!

   Tom