Does anyone have any experience with Powermatic’s PJ882 parallelogram jointer? I’m in the market for an 8″ parallelogram and am down to these two. The recent reviews of Delta machinery and others’ experience with their customer service make me a little nervous about going with them, but it seems that Powermatic often comes out near the bottom of the table flatness measurements in many reviews. I feel like I’m choosing between the lesser of 2 evils, but I think that these are the only two 8″ parallelogram jointers available in this price range. Please let me know if I’m wrong about this. I do have my heart set on the parallelogram design. And I’m not in the market for used…
Any comparisons of these two machines would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob
Replies
I believe there are a lot more parallelogram jointers out there in the price range. Grizzly, YorkCraft and there was an odd brand that was an exact clone. You might check Invicta. Now who had the 12" parallelogram for the price of the Delta parallelogram 8".
Go to other forums and start getting a list of dealers and manufacturers. There's a lot more out there than you can imagine. Prices and availability of machines is better now than 30 years ago. We only had very few options then.
http://www.woodstockint.com/products/w1741/
http://wilkemachinery.com/default.tpl?action=full&cart=1167335517186313&--eqskudatarq=2352
http://www.grizzly.com/products/mach-specs.aspx?key=450
Dear Bob,
Sorry, I can't compare the PJ882 with the Delta as I only have the former. Both Wood Magazine and American Woodworker rated the PJ882 tops. The DJ220 way down the list - hence my purchase of the PJ882. You will note that some posters on this forum will debunk the evaluation of magazines so.... I wish I could say I had ten years of experience with it. The fact is I have had it some six months and have hardly used it. It does have the 83" bed ,which is the longest bed of those tested, and it is nice. It has lever adjustment for both infeed and outfeed, which is fine for the infeed, but is a little tedious for the outfeed. Seems like a handwheel would be easier to get the precise adjustment. I went from a 6" craftsman which amounted to about that much scrap iron to the 8". What an improvement. I suppose it would be nice to have a twelve inch but somewhere there has to be a stopping point. Allow plenty of real estate to park it. One thing I did notice right away is the necessity of a dust collector. I don't have one yet but will have to get one before using it much. If you have the money to spend, I think it would make a nice addition to your shop.
Edited 12/29/2006 12:37 am ET by tinkerer2
I've been working on jointers for over 20 years and all the lever types I've worked have a limiting adjustment screw on the outfeed table for precise tuning of the outfeed table. Does the PJ882 not have such a feature???
"limiting adjustment screw" Well, to tell you the truth, that is a new term to me. I don't remember seeing such a thing on it and haven't seen such a thing listed in the literature, but considering the price and quality of the machine, I'd be surprised if it didn't have all the bells and whistles of the machines you have worked on. Seems like it would be a nice thing to have though.
Hi,
I just wanted to throw in my two cents about the Delta DJ20 and my experience with Delta customer service. I've owned the Delta DJ20 for over 2.5 years, I'm a serious weekend warrior so the tool gets used, but maybe not as much as others who work full time in the shop. Anyway, my decision to buy the Delta DJ20 was due to the Delta name, the length of the combined in-feed and outfeed tables, horse power, width of the table, store availability, and price. Just to touch on a couple of the items I mentioned... First, I only wanted to buy one jointer, so I knew I wanted something adequate for typical work I would be doing without feeling like I should have bought a bigger tool to start with. Just last month I needed to joint and plane some hard maple for a 9'3" desk top; bottom line, great performance using the long infeed and outfeed tables to joint my boards. I was very pleased with the output having them flat from one end to the other and no problems edge gluing them either. Second, yes I bought into the Delta name, why? Because every time I call for parts or questions, I get everything I need. For example, just the other day my handle/hub assembly broke on my Delta Pro mortiser. It was out of warranty, but they sent me the parts anyway. I feel it has benefited me when I have purchased Delta tools, they have been there to support me. Do I pay more for that? Maybe... As for power, 7.5" wide hard maple, 9'3" long, no problem. Of course I use sharp blades and set the jointer for a minimal cut (1/16"). Finally on price, I was able to have the local woodworking store price match Amazon, so the price wasn't an issue, but more importantly, I was able to pick up the tool at my convenience at the local store, when I was able to borrow a truck and have 4 of my closest friends help me load and unload it; I've always worried about having tools tail gate delivered that I wouldn't be able to unload myself.
Regarding the Powermatic, I have to believe it is and would be a fine tool for anyone, just like I think the Delta DJ20 is for me. As you can see from above, my decision to buy the DJ20 was not entirely based on all of the technical specification (maybe it should have been), rather I factored in other important aspects I found to be important to me.
Regarding the parallelogram design on the DJ20, it works great. It's was easy to adjust the tables when I first bought it, but now I have to admit that I don't move it much now that I have it set. About a month ago I had to adjust the outfeed table when I installed freshly sharpened blades. My experience was easy and straightforward with a minimal of fuss. Lastly, regarding the tool overall, I'm very satisfied and would buy it again if I had it to do over.
I hope this helps and good luck with your decision.
-David
I too vote for the Delta. I am a serious weekend and evening woodworker. My shop is 100% Delta machinery (othet than a Luguna bandsaw) and has been for 25 years. Sure some items need to be repaired, hence the need for a good spare parts source.
Their machines are reliable & accurate. I have a DJ-15 jointer which I purchase amny moons ago. My next machine will be an 8" DJ-20.
I have owned several Grizzly machine, they just don't stand up to the long haul.
Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your new jointer. Glenn
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