Is this a good deal for a jointer/can you recommend a benchtop jointer?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/tls/4666523302.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/tls/4666523302.html

- Loren

I was looking at that but I’m worried I won’t have room. I edited my original post to include the details about my shop size just before you posted. I did email the seller to ask if I could look at it, though.

-- Dan in Minneapolis, woodworking since 11/11.

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/3430

If an aluminum jointer table is not anodized it
will not hold up impressively. I had a Delta
for awhile and the tables were pretty soft.

Many smaller 6” iron jointers with a 30” table only
weigh about 60 lbs and if a motor is set up
on the bench the jointer can be put next to
it with a short link belt. Voila, benchtop jointer.

Loren, considering you haven’t posted a single sentence you’re surprisingly helpful ;-). I did check out that review, and the Steel City looks like a decent machine but it has some bad reviews on Amazon compared to the P-C.

Edit: I see you added an actual sentence – and a helpful one. Thanks for the tip re: aluminum tables.

-- Dan in Minneapolis, woodworking since 11/11.

The portable jointers aren’t going to be in the same class as a stationary jointer. All will be very loud, all will be short, light, and a bit sloppy, which inevitably will get some bad reviews, especially if the author has been exposed to larger jointers. A portable is better than none, but if there’s any way possible, I’d encourage you to see if you can figure out a way to make a stationary jointer fit.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

The Delta looks cast iron to me, the description says cast iron; where is the aluminum comment coming from?

-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

I m in the market for a benchtop jointer,

benchtop jointer in the $200-$500 price range? I ve been checking out, Steel City 40610GH,
- ADHDan

The Delta looks cast iron to me, the description says cast iron; where is the aluminum comment coming from?

- Rick M.

-- Ken from Ontario, Canada

The 40610GH is a granite bed, Delta is iron, Jet is iron, not sure about the PC. Initially I thought he meant to say “fence” instead of “table” except he followed it with a comment about the Delta table. Maybe he meant fence. Doesn’t matter I guess.

-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

Unless your made of money, buy the stationary $150 jointer and find room for it. Spend the rest of the money elsewhere. I have that same Delta jointer, it’s not very long.

-- Nicholas

The Delta’s gone but I’m checking out the Jet tomorrow. What do you think is a reasonable price for it? Is $350 too much, or if he won’t negotiate should I take it?

-- Dan in Minneapolis, woodworking since 11/11.

I have an older model( Grey) Ridgid jointer and often find the table/ bed too short,but it is considered average size for a 6” jointer,can’t imagine a bench top short bed type would be much fun to use.

-- Ken from Ontario, Canada

Considering that there are others on the market for $200…

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tls/4649602543.html

I had to put $40 bearings, and then upgraded the motor (another $40) on my $150 Delta before I was happy with it. I’d say over $250 would be too much, under $200 then expect it to need repairs.

-- Nicholas

Considering you can get a brand new Grizzly for $455 (plus shipping, but there seems to be 10% off coupon codes floating around these forums), I would hold off on the Jet.

Also, I can’t imagine it takes up all that more room than that Jet.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/6-x-46-Jointer/G0654

I had a benchtop Delta jointer for awhile. It had
aluminum tables and I bought it new at Lowes.
It was an adequate tool. It had variable speed
and wasn’t very loud. I used it on job sites
here and there. Whether it is still available or
not I do not know or care. If they’ve replaced
the soft tables with something heavier, good
for Delta (Chang Iron).

If you’re looking at new, it’s basically all coming
out of the same Asian factories and fundamentally
the same stuff.

What do you think a reasonable price would be for a Craftsman 113-20651 with a resurfaced bed? I’ve got a friend who’s willing to trade one for some of my hardwood slabs. Apparently the bed got cracked but he had a new one fabricated, and it’s been tuned/calibrated and has pretty much new knives. The problem is, it’s so old that I’m having a hard time finding information on it – such as fair market value, and also whether I can still get knives for it. Anyone know anything about this machine?

It isn’t a benchtop model, but I suppose I can find a place for it somewhere in my shop or garage. Considering the consensus against benchtop jointers – and the fact that I’ll probably be working with longer slabs – I’m leaning towards this option.

Thanks!

-- Dan in Minneapolis, woodworking since 11/11.