In article . com, " wrote:
Which would you buy first if you could only buy one. Either of these
would be in the $400 range not the high end pro models, at least not
yet. Thanks!

The best option is to save your money until you can buy both. Next best would
be to look at used equipment so you can buy both.

Here are the considerations:
1. A jointer cannot do the job of a thickness planer. Period.
2. With appropriate sleds or jigs, you can face joint with a planer. But it's
a lot easier with a jointer.
3. With appropriate sleds or jigs, you can edge joint with a table saw. But
it's a lot easier with a jointer.
4. The whole operation (face jointing, edge jointing, and thickness planing)
can be done with hand tools. But it's a lot easier with a jointer and a
planer.

The two work together: flatten a face with the jointer, then make the opposite
face parallel to it with the planer. Best to have both.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.