On 8 Nov 2005 19:54:37 -0800, wrote:

Hello and thank you for reading this.

I have the opportunity to purchase a Delta DJ-20 8" Jointer and a Jet
JWP-15CS Planer from a homeowner. The seller said the jointer is about
6 years old and the planer is about 3 years old. He is the original
owner of both pieces. He will sell both of them to me for $1500 total.

I went to look at them today. They weren't under power at the time.
I'm going back later this week after he runs 220 power to the garage
again. Here's what I've seen so far:

Delta DJ-20 8" Jointer
--------------------------------
1. I used a straight edge (Woodcraft 24" - .002 tolerence) to
individually check the infeed and outfeed tables. The tables don't
seem to be warped, bowed, or have any dips that aren't within tolerence
(to me at least).

2. One possible problem is if the infeed and outfeed tables are in the
same plane. I put both tables at the same height and used the
straightedge centered above the cutting head. When the straightedge
was parallel to the fence, the tables are in the same plane. If I
leave the straightedge over the cutter head, but put the straightedge
on a diagonal, the straightedge rocks a little bit, telling me one of
the tables is "tilted". I've read that these tables on on "eccentric
bushing" and are adjustable. Is this accurate? Does this seem to be a
problem? Is this something that shold stop me from purchasing this
tool?

Yes it is accurate. It is a parallegram design rather than a wedge bed
design. You can get a procedure from Delta to coplaner the tables
using the adjustable eccentrics. you should only be concerned about
verifying that the tables are flat to themselves.

3. The jointer is on a HTC mobile base.

4. The jointer comes with an extra set of knives, fresh from some
sharpening service (plastic/rubbery stuff is covering the knives)

5. The fence is currently square to the tables, but I didn't remember
to check the flatness of the fence.


Jet JWP-15CS
---------------------------
I'll be quite honest that I don't know much about checking the quality
of a used planer. Cosmetically, the planer is in good shape. Slight
surface rust, no pitting anywhere. The crank wheel to raise/lower the
cutter head moves nicely. I put a straightedge on the base under the
cutter head and it's flat no matter where I move the straightedge
(parallel, diagonal, or perpendicular to the knives).

Probably a two speed. run it in both speeds, check the gear box for
leaks, raise it and lower it. Good test would be to face joint a
piece of wood on the jointer then run it through the planer and check
for thickness consistency. Make sure it feeds consistently.

At $1500, or $750 for each tool (my rationalization, I realize you can
do math), is this a good deal? Here's what I'm debating in my head:

1. Fine woodworking just rated the Grizzly G0500 8" jointer as a "best
buy". This is currently selling for $695. I'd have to pay for
shipping and a mobile base, but I'd get a warranty and what I've read,
good customer service.

Not familiar with the model. Is it a wedgebed or parallegram design?
The value of the parallegram design is that you can adjust it coplaner
and that the infeed table stays close to the cutter at all depth
settings. They generally are more valuable and more desireable.

2. I'm thinking maybe the 15" jointer is overkill for what I do. I'm
a hobbiest woodworker building his first shop. I subscribe to the "buy
a tool one time" motto. I'll mostly be buliding case goods, probably
some tables. Then I think to myself, if I'm willing to spend $500 for
the best DeWalt planer, why not spend the extra $250 to get a tool that
will outlast my grandkids (I'm only 30).

You mean planer here? Big difference between the heavy iron machines
and the portables.

Opinions?

IMHO A very good deal if the machines are in reasonably good shape.