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Older style Rigid Jointer - Opinions

7K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  northwoodsman 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I screwed up my my bench top Craftsman jointer by trying to face joint a piece of mahogany too aggressively. I stripped the belts. They are roughly $50 (2 x$20 + shipping) to replace and I was balking at fixing a toy tool versus moving to a more robust unit.

The owner's dad at Intercity Lumber in Tampa fixes up old tools and I saw the attached jointer on sale for $225. It seemed like a solid unit and people seem to like their Rigid tools so I bought it.

Wood Bumper Machine tool Automotive exterior Gas


I am curious if anyone has this unit and can tell me if I overspent on it. And do you have a good source for replacement knives (the ones in it seem good but I would like have a set of spares on hand).

Thank you for any insight you can provide.
 

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#4 ·
I'd second knotscott, slightly overpriced- but nothing that would keep me up at night - so you did ok and it is a good machine.

Mind you, I notice it is sitting on a mobile base of sorts - this is a very top heavy machine and especially with the older style narrower cabinet base they are prone to tip over - be careful.
 
#5 ·
Shawn, I think $225 is a little high but a reasonable asking price for the vintage of the tool. That said, I own the newer open base version, which has served me very well for 2 years.

I also agree with Sharon, it is a bit top heavy, so use care when you move it. Overall, I think you will be happy with the tool, and appreciate the differences between it and your bench-top unit. BTW, I've replaced the cutters once, and resharpened the old knives to have a spare set.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the responses. The mobile base was only temporary to move into garage until I can set it in place. Having lifted this out of the truck with only 1 helper, I can attest to the fact that it is very very heavy.
 
#7 ·
can't say this for sure it applies to this one, but older Ridgid tools had a lifetime warranty, regardless of owner - that's different than the service agreement they offer now. On the table saws, the older, gray ones were the ones with the lifetime warranty. That may apply to this as well. If so, that should add some value to the unit..
 
#9 ·
+1 for Holbren….great supplier. If you're a Woodnet, SMC, or B3 member he gives 10% off regular pricing with "woodnet10", SMC10, or "BT310" in the discount code box.
 
#13 ·
I ended up with this exact same model a few months ago. It's a solid jointer. It's not that vintage, early to mid 90's. The tables were aligned perfectly when I got mine home. I replaced the belt with a link belt to make blade changing easier. With a link belt the cutter head will stay in place, with the original belt it wanted to go back to where the belt "remembered". The blades are sharpenable and really easy to change. It's a really quiet machine. Good luck with it. I have the manual for it if you need it.
 
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