I’m in the market for a new Jointer. I’d like to step up to at least an 8″ model. My budget it about 3K max.
Here’s the challenge. I’m trying to be a good American and only buy products that are really made here in the USA. The “made in USA” labels are meaningless. I want to buy a jointer made by fellow Americans using steel from an American steel mill.
Any suggestions?
Replies
For 3K you can purchase one heck of a used jointer. For $3800 I'd consider selling my 30" Oliver. Go to http://www.woodweb.com and look around or post a WTB ad. There are tons of older large jointers sitting around. Why settle for an 8" with a budget of 3K.
DJK
Buy a used one. You could get something decent and have money left over or perhaps up grade to a byrd or tersa head or even the stock head with Esta knives. http://www.exfactory.com http://www.woodquip.com or call local dealers in your area. If you don't know where to get tables reground and have a machinist straight edge you would be better off with the extra support from a dealer. I seen 16" jointers for free but know all ins and outs of rebuilding them and what to stay away from. If you don't know these things are that screaming deal will cost more than a new import and I personally have no problem with imports. It's a global economy now anyway.
What exactly is American made anyway? The true Americans are the Indians. Isn't eveyone else an immigrant or the offspring of an immigrant? So doesn't American made mean made by immigrants?
Edited 11/19/2004 12:21 pm ET by rick3ddd
r3d3-
I take offense to your made in the USA comment. I fought for the very blanket of freedom that provides you with the right to post "freely" here!!! Now that I've got that off my chest!!!
Forget all that crap made in Taiwann. Get an old three legged 12 or 16 incher from Northfield, Yates American, etc..... I have a shop full of these restored beauties, and they out perform all the new stuff everybody talks about on this site. My Northfield Hd is flat to .0002, and once you have a great machine, you'll never even consider upgrading it. They will outlast your lifetime.
JC
I have a challenge in getting a 12 or 16 in jointer. My workshop is in my basement. Do you know if it's possible to take apart a jointer to move it into a basement? I know I'll have a big job setting it back up and tuning it. Am I crazy to even consider this?Also, thanks for fighting the "blanket of freedom" we enjoy.
Tom-
I would think that I wouldn't want to take my 12 incher apart. Even in pieces, it's rediculously heavy. Mine weighs close to 2000 lbs, and I move it with a forklift (once when I got it, and again next week when I move it into my new shop.) Sorry, didn't know you were in a basement.
JC
Oh, and you are welcome!
Thanks for your suggestions. I was hoping I could still get a new jointer made here in the US. I will check with Delta and Powermatic but I'm not optimistic."What exactly is American made anyway?" It's a product that provides my friends and family with jobs. It's a product that will provide our servicemen and woman with a job when they return home. I understand that we live in a global economy. Right now I feel it's a little too global. Too many of my friends and family are out of work or underemployed right now. I just want to do my part to take care of things here at home first.
"What exactly is American made anyway?" It's a product that provides my friends and family with jobs. It's a product that will provide our servicemen and woman with a job when they return home.
I don't think things are as simple as they seem. For example, when I stop in at Grizzly tool headquarters, I see an awful lot of Americans working there. An employee parking lot full as cars with Washington state license plates. It doesn't appear to be a sweat shop, and folks seem happy in their work.
Now would these folks have a job if Grizzly sold primarily Made in U.S.A. tools? Probably not; Grizzly probably wouldn't exist. We'd have the situation we had decades ago, where decent stationary woodworking tools were very expensive, few were sold, and Fine Woodworking was running articles on how to make your own jointer out of wood.
If you want a Made in U.S.A. product, it'll probably be a high-end industrial tool (something that you're likely to see in a production wood shop). Something where the low volumes don't support an import operation, where the customer support expectations of the market favor a domestic source, and where the profit margins are high enough to justify domestic production.
I disagree that Grizzly is supporting America with jobs. I believe the China based manufacturing company is using Americans to sell thier product.
What should happen is Grizzly should manufacture in the USA with American made steel and use Americans to manufacture and sell American Made products. That would support America not China a Communist Nation which we as American do no support.
Except when they sell us tools??????????
Pretty simple!!!
MC
>>The "made in USA" labels are meaningless.
Why do you say this? The Federal Trade Commission strictly controls the use of "Made in USA". Here are the regulations: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/madeusa.htm
That said, you might want to contact Delta and Powermatic. They are the only two firms still making some of their product line in the US. I don't know if their jointers qualify.
USA made wood working equipment
I couldn't help but not reply to you concerning US Made wood working equipment. I have a small wood shop and activly replacing China made machines which include SEARs, Bosh. Mostly every tool imaginable is made in China by American companies. (Great patriatism-support a communist country and loose American jobs). I find myself doing without until I save the money to purchase a US Made tool..
I have found two companies which are making quality American made wood equipment and the jointer you look for may be with these companies.
1). Delta. They are striving to make thier line in the USA. Currectly the uni saw is made in the states. Also I found a Delta Band saw made in the USA with a 700.00 price tag on it. I priced last years uni-saw for 1800.00
2). Wood Masters. I believe in Kansas City, Missori makes a commercial grade saw, sander, planner, molder. 18 -24" and you can get the mid size for under 2000.00.
If Americans like you and me don't take a strong position we will continue to see China crap on the market. Companies need to know that Americans are willing to spend more and get it made by American craftsmen.
Keep saving your money and buy American. If I can be any assistance, leave me a message and I weill do the research.
MC
It gets complicated doesn't it
Here's an American made jointer
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=7
Twenty two inch
: )
you knew I just couldn't leave that alone. I know I know , you need more speed than this one can furnish in its duty cycle. Or more specifically your duty cycle.
Anyway
Nice discussion. Shades of the old days here that I miss.
More expensive tools if made here. Yep. People need to get used to thinking in once in a life time purchases rather than "well I will get one for my shop at the cabin and one for my shop in the city and . . . etc. ".
The last two tools I purchased were made in America but hand tools. One of them is complete crap (good idea though ) and I am now forced to send it back. Lack of engineers/ owner attempting to do his own engineering ( I assume ).
The other was a classic I have wanted all my adult life. Came with no manual. Delicate instrument. They expect you to " just figure it out boy ". Kind of disappointing. If it were a Japanese precision tool at least it would have came with a manual. Really easy to damage this thing so trial and error is scarry.
Freedom. Yah Syria is a good example of how messed up the rest of the world can get with a leader who is really dedicated to his insanity.
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