Budget jointer recommendations?
 

Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

Thanks,
Wayne

Wayne Whitney wrote:

Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

Thanks,
Wayne

What kind of wood will you be working with?

Will you be simply edging the wood or trying to flatten hardwood that is
the full six inches wide?

These might be ok for edging and maybe even flattening softwoods but
don't expect to flatten six inch wide hard maple (unless you take
microscopic cuts).

TWS

If you do a google search you will find the HF jointer is asked about
weekly.

I had a JT160 and found the reviews of it on Amazon were pretty accurate.
Unless you simply have no room, avoid it. If you really have no room, it
sorta works. I traded up to a used JT360; eventhough I have no place to put
it.

Don't do the benchtop thing, Unless you don't ever plan on joining
any wood over 30 inches or so. Even then they can be a pain
to keep aligned. I don't know if for $220 or less you'll find what
your looking for unless you can get it used.

Joey
"Wayne Whitney" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

Thanks,
Wayne

Wayne Whitney wrote in
:

Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...41182,48944&cc
urrency=2&SID=

watch the wrap.

Patience is helpful - I recently got a very nice Canada made 6"
General on e**** for $350 - had to drive a couple of hours to pick it
up, but it was very much worth it. It also depends on how wide and
long you need it. The old Rockwell/Delta or Delta Homecraft 4"
jointers can be just fine, and can often be found for under $100. Add
a 3/4 hp motor and you can do a lot of nice work - and they will most
likely last another hundred years. I have seen a lot of nice work
come out of small shops with only a 4" jointer. But do avoid the junk
that is currently on the market - if it looks like a cheap toy, most
likely it is, and you won't be happy when you get it, and it will only
get worse. Best advice is to stick with the old iron. Cheers and
much sawdust

Spoefish

Patience is helpful - I recently got a very nice Canada made 6"
General on e**** for $350 - had to drive a couple of hours to pick it
up, but it was very much worth it. It also depends on how wide and
long you need it. The old Rockwell/Delta or Delta Homecraft 4"
jointers can be just fine, and can often be found for under $100. Add
a 3/4 hp motor and you can do a lot of nice work - and they will most
likely last another hundred years. I have seen a lot of nice work
come out of small shops with only a 4" jointer. But do avoid the junk
that is currently on the market - if it looks like a cheap toy, most
likely it is, and you won't be happy when you get it, and it will only
get worse. Best advice is to stick with the old iron. Cheers and
much sawdust

Spoefish

patriarch wrote:

Wayne Whitney wrote in
:


Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?


http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...41182,48944&cc
urrency=2&SID=

watch the wrap.
Oh yeah, and takes up far less floor space too. Pleasing sound as well...

TWS

Wayne Whitney wrote in message ...
Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

Thanks,
Wayne

I, too, was looking for a jointer without spending a wad of cash.
Just yesterday, while cruising my local classifieds (online), I found
a Ridgid JPO610 (well reviewed in FWW) for $250. Fortunately, SWMBO
hadn't yet ordered the iPod she promised for my birthday last week.
I'm picking it up this weekend. With a little looking, there are good
values on the used market.

Ian

I've used the Delta 37-070 variable speed benchtop jointer for a
few years with very satisfactory results. I've turned out a dozen or
so pieces of furniture out of white oak -- pretty sturdy stuff -- and
this jointer handled the task well. I'm "careful" with long pieces, up
to 5' or so, and they turn out straight. Almost everything I do is
limited to about 2" since, for wider surfaces, I use a surface plane.

Jim Stuyck


"Wayne Whitney" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?

Thanks,
Wayne

Heh, my Stanley #7 only ran me about $60. Granted, it took a few hours to get
it up to snuff. :^)

JK



patriarch wrote:
Wayne Whitney wrote in
:


Hello,

I'm looking for a "budget" jointer, I was wondering if anyone has any
current recommendations. So far I'm considering:

$130 Delta JT-160 6" x 30" benchtop jointer from Lowe's
$220 Harbor Freight 31849 7" x 47.5" floor jointer

Is a benchtop jointer really serviceable? Will the Harbor Freight
jointer have flat tables?


http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...41182,48944&cc
urrency=2&SID=

watch the wrap.

--
James T. Kirby
Center for Applied Coastal Research
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716

phone: 302-831-2438
fax: 302-831-1228
email:
http://chinacat.coastal.udel.edu/~kirby

Just yesterday, while cruising my local classifieds (online), I found
a Ridgid JPO610 (well reviewed in FWW) for $250.

If you haven't bought it yet... last week I saw them in HD for $350 with a
$50 cash card. If I had just bought a used JT360 for $200 I would have been
all over it.

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 08:51:29 -0400, "James T. Kirby"
wrote:

Heh, my Stanley #7 only ran me about $60. Granted, it took a few hours to get
it up to snuff. :^)

It doesn't leave planer marks either.

--
Smert' spamionam

I didn't read all of the screen full of posts, but I would offer this. If
you are willing to spend $220 or a little more, check out local Lowes
stores. They are in the process of phasing out Delta and you might be able
to pick up a floor model 6"er for a very good price.

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 08:51:29 -0400, "James T. Kirby"
calmly ranted:

Heh, my Stanley #7 only ran me about $60. Granted, it took a few hours to get
it up to snuff. :^)

Rob Lee's $300 model is nice, but crowbars are crowbars.
#7 it is.


-------------------------------------------------------------
give me The Luxuries Of Life * http://www.diversify.com
i can live without the necessities * 2 Tee collections online
-------------------------------------------------------------

Be patient: Wait and find something local if you want to save some
money. Try the local classifieds, garage sale ads, and the like. I
live is a smaller town and still found a nice late 40's 6" Delta with
4 sets of Rockwell knives for $50 after 2 weeks of active research.
While you wait, go the library and get a decent book which explains
the jointer tuning process. This will help you decide what kind you
want.

HF jointers. I've been to the store and didn't like em one bit.
There are a couple of good jointers between HF and the Delta.
Depending on where you live they might be an option if you want new or
can't wait. DAGS.

Good luck!

In article , toller wrote:

Just yesterday, while cruising my local classifieds (online), I found
a Ridgid JPO610 (well reviewed in FWW) for $250.

If you haven't bought it yet... last week I saw them in HD for $350 with a
$50 cash card. If I had just bought a used JT360 for $200 I would have been
all over it.

Didn't the Ridgid cash card deal end August 31? Does anyone happen to
know the Home Depot SKU on Ridgid JP0610? The stores around here
don't seem to carry them.

Cheers, Wayne

Wayne Whitney wrote in
:

In article , toller wrote:

Just yesterday, while cruising my local classifieds (online), I
found a Ridgid JPO610 (well reviewed in FWW) for $250.

If you haven't bought it yet... last week I saw them in HD for $350
with a $50 cash card. If I had just bought a used JT360 for $200 I
would have been all over it.

Didn't the Ridgid cash card deal end August 31? Does anyone happen to
know the Home Depot SKU on Ridgid JP0610? The stores around here
don't seem to carry them.

Cheers, Wayne


If you're still in the Bay Area (I noted the berkeley.edu address), I think
the one stashed in the back corner of the tool corral in the Concord store
may still be there, all nicely boxed and dusty.

The Veritas #6 handplane will still do a wider board, though. ;-)

Patriarch

"patriarch astDOTnet" patriarch wrote in message
.77...


http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...41182,48944&cc
urrency=2&SID=

Hold on! Canada runs on 50Hz, right? So be careful about plugging this thing
in!

"patrick conroy" wrote in message

Hold on! Canada runs on 50Hz, right? So be careful about plugging this
thing
in!

No, that's in Yourup Canada is the same as us, but considering the exchange
rate, they'd have to spin the turbines at about 4640 rpm to give us 60 Hz.