On 21 Aug 2003 20:19:44 -0700, (JVG) wrote:

I have recently taken up woodworking and I am thinking about buying a
jointer (6" floor model). My question is how useful/essential do you
think a jointer is for a hobbyist? I already have a table saw, router,
drill press, hand tools, and most of the basics.

However, I really only have time for a few projects a year... things
like bookcases, chests, shelves, side tables, etc. All of the wood I
buy is surfaced on four sides (i.e. I don't have the time to buy rough
cut wood and clean it up, plane it down, etc). Is a jointer really
worth the investment in this case?

I think a jointer is necessary. I build similar to you in number of
projects. Perhaps some, like beds or an entertainment center are
bigger, but those are exceptions.

I always buy lumber rough. I used to have a 6" jointer (Craftsman)
and recently traded up to a DJ-20. The biggest reason was for the
longer tables the DJ-20 has. Wider is good too. I use a DeWalt
planer to thickness.

This is the only way to be sure your stock is really flat and
straight. It adds a couple of days to the project completion time,
maybe a week if you follow Gary Rogowski's technique in the new FWW.
Not only that, but you can get *any* thickness you need, not just
those your lumber supplier has.

So is it *necessary*? Maybe not, but it is convenient and if you take
a critical look at the S4S you've been buying, I'll bet you'll see
that some of it isn't completely flat or straight.