you may be buying surfaced wood, but it's rarely FLAT. It usually is
cupped, warped, etc. YOU have to be the one to decide how seriously you
take your new hobby. My opinion is that it is an essential tool. But
then you like to buy S4S, so YOU decide.

dave

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?