Tom -
Just to put my opinion in perspective, I'm a newbie to ww. I'm sure there's others that can give you more comfort on the Jet. The Jet 6CSX was my second "large" machine that I bought (TS first). I sort of fell into it by accident. I was looking for a jointer and had done a fair amount of research on it by the time I found it at an estate auction. It was nearly new - still had the box, and probably hadn't had 30 bf put through it. Got it for a great price....

I really like it - I had been looking at Delta, Powermatic, and Bridgewood. The price I got this one at was a big factor in my decision. But, after doing the research, I was already leaning toward the Jet. Anyway, it's a really great tool - does everything I ask of it. The only two negatives I have, is it's a bit touchy to adjust the knives. However, I think that is mainly because I'm a newbie and not really experienced. The knives are easy to access and remove, etc. I'm just a little slow to learn the fine points of setting it all up. The second is that after doing several projects and planning several others, buying wood from a local mill, I wish I'd have found an 8". Not sure I could have afforded it, and given how much I wanted one, I'm not sure I'd have waited to find a used 8" anyway.

The other big factor after price was the wheels vs levers issue. After doing my homework on Google and this newsgroup, I was set on wheels. MUCH easier for me, given my level of experience, to make those fine adjustments. I have to echo Chef's advice about the limitor - I've ran afoul of it once, even though I read about it in the instructions and had come across it in my research before buying it.

Bottom line, IMH(newbie)O, it's a great machine. If I had to do it over again, I'd definitely buy another one, only maybe I'd get the 8".

Nick B

"Tom Lindsay" wrote in message ...
Looking at a 6" jointer to add to my shop (tired of gaps in my panels) and
have settled on one of these two. Both are ~$550 at Amazon with free
shipping, though the Delta includes a "freebie" with it (router, jointer
stand, cordless drill or a brad nailer).

The Jet has the wheel adjustment vs. the levers on the Delta (wheels look
like they might provide more precision), but the Delta fence provides for
finer adjustments with the carriage assembly. Having never used a jointer,
I'm not sure which setting I would fiddle with more when using this? The
reviews I've read about the Jet and the Delta don't really show one
radically different or better than the other.

Any personal experience with the "levers vs. wheels" or fence adjustments on
either of these?