Replies

1. 
   kensshop | Dec 16, 2003 06:06am | #1

   Welcome to the group!

   You can find 3 different discussions that I know of about 12" jointers.   The first one was started by Chris on 02/12/2003.  You can find its latest posts dated 12/12/2003 by just clicking on the "### messages" tab immediately below "Tools for Woodworking" then scrolling down.  On the discussion side scroll down to the bottom so you can click on the tab which includes message #1.   To find the other two go to SEARCH at the bottom of the left column.  Type in Help Selecting.  Look for my post on Oct. 21.   You can find the third by going back to SEARCH and typing in Joint Decisions.  Look for my post on Oct. 25.

   It's very insightful reading.  Chris and I both received many responses from folks who have experiences with many different machines and have done their homework.  The discussion helped me to decide against the General in favor of Invicta.  They have a new upgraded 12" jointer coming in Feb. '04.   Good luck whatever decision you make.      Ken  

1. 
   Jeff | Dec 16, 2003 04:29pm | #2

   Ken

   When you get the Invicta, can you post your feelings and info.

   I've also been thinking about a 12".

   Jeff

1. 
   kensshop | Dec 16, 2003 05:19pm | #3

   Gladly

1. 
   daleduvall | Dec 16, 2003 07:18pm | #4

   Ken,

   Thanks for the info .. it was very helpful. Hmmmm, with a new jointer, I'll need to upgrade by bandsaw, sander, etc!

   Thanks,

   Dale

1. 
   kensshop | Dec 16, 2003 07:44pm | #5

   Now yer talk'n!!

2. 
   billsams | Dec 17, 2003 01:30am | #6

   Dave, don't want to add too many options for you, but.......last spring I was  looking to upgrade my 8" jointer and after looking around I went with a 14" jointer/planer combo from http://www.minimax-usa.com . It's an incredible machine. I really didn't need the planer but I'm glad I have it. The tersa knives are a snap to change, two minutes!!!!! reversable also. Wood surfaces come out baby butt smooth even on curly woods. Once you have 12" on a jointer, you will wish you had 13" and so on.:)

   Good luck. Check out the bandsaws as well. Nothing better on the market! I have the MM16 bandsaw.

   bill

3. 
   daleduvall | Dec 17, 2003 02:19am | #7

   Bill,

   Funny you should mention it, I ordered a MM16 today!! I'm still looking at jointers .. no decision yet (P.S. I've got an old 15" Powermatic planer; sure would like to add a helical cutter to it someday .. my biggest complaint is the knive adjustments! Maybe I'll sell it and ..)

   Ken,

   Just curious: as I recall, earlier you seemed to be leaning toward the Powermatic or Delta, now you're looking at the Invicta, what swayed you??

   Thanks for the input!

   Dale

   Edited 12/16/2003 6:50:46 PM ET by drduvall

4. 
   kensshop | Dec 17, 2003 03:07am | #8

   Delta and Powermatic have both moved their factories to mainland China.  This may or may not be a drawback, but...   They were made here in the states, then they go to Taiwan, now to China.  Each move seems to involve cost cutting.  This is great as long as the quality is consistant with US quality, the castings and such, as well as the tables and fences.  Another biggie is the brand of motor, you don't know what you're getting, although, some brands do advertise an American made or designed motor.  I've looked closely at the General International 12" jointer.  I spoke to the rep several times on the phone and with e-mail.  He supplied me with the names and phone numbers of three dealers in Columbus, OH and Indianapolis, IN who would order the unit for me.  Upon calling each of them I got the same response, General has lousy parts supplies, parts distribution, and customer service, and, none wanted to order the machine but instead recommended Delta, Powermatic, etc.

   Invicta is made in Brazil and does not have a US motor.  Invicta used to build some Delta equipment, including their jointers.  They still manufacture Delta's big table saw, though I can't remember the model number.  Several posts I read indicated that the Invicta/Delta jointers are very good.  Like Bridgewood and Laguna their current distribution is direct.  They have two distributors, one East coast and one West coast.  A salesman with the East coast distributor indicated that they are setting up a dealer program as well as better replacement parts availability.  I am currently leaning toward Invicta but by Spring of '04 who knows.

5. 
   daleduvall | Dec 17, 2003 05:16am | #9

   Ken,

   I try to avoid buying "stuff" made in China, partly political but also the quality I've seen has be questionable, kinda' like Tiawanese stuff of earlier years. Surely the have the ability to make quality equipment, but given my druthers, Italy, or even Brazil, has more appeal to me.

   I still haven't heard any comments on the Bridgewood, but at this time, I'm still not sure, depends on costs, etc. Good luck on your final selection. Let me know what you decide, if I don't get one first!

   Dale

6. 
   sanderdude | Dec 17, 2003 06:14am | #10

   Hi:

       I bought the bridgewood 12" jointer last summer. It has the spiral cutterhead. I could not be more happy with the quality and performance. It is unreal. I resaw for several luthiers, and mostlybought the jointer to match my bandsaw. So far, i have had ZERO tearout on even the most figured hardwoods. I looked at a new invicta locally. It cost about the same as I paid for the bridgewood but had conventional knives. I would never want to go back to spending hours to adjust 12 inch knives in jointer or planer. P.S. with this cuterhead, I never even look anymore to see which way to feed a board. Matter of fact , to save on material, I often reverse the feed direction with each pass.

7. 
   camel | Dec 17, 2003 04:11pm | #13

   Rubb- O.K. I admit, I don't understand what you mean by reversing the feed direction to save on material? I am also looking into this jointer. I own other Bridgewood, Wilke has been great to work with. Thanks.John E. Nanasy

8. 
   sanderdude | Dec 17, 2003 08:10pm | #14

   Hi Spokeshave:

                       Well, I have this idea ,which may not be true, that if you are face jointing a board and keeping max thickness is a goal, then feeding the board with say the thickest corner going in first may eventually give you a flat face with less total material removed.  I may be all wrong about this, for me it is more just a feeling that I am achieving this goal. It is my approach to take off the high spots first instead of just feeding the board through by keeping contact on the outfeed table as you are supposed to do. The really nice thing about my experience with the spiral cutterhead is that it really doesn't seem to matter at all about grain direction when feeding on this jointer. I resaw a lot of guitar backs, sides, and tops for some luthiers in my area and for them max yield is important.

                                                     thanks , Robert.

9. 
   billsams | Dec 17, 2003 02:15pm | #11

   Dale, congratulations of you purchase of MM16 bandsaw. You will love it!

   Bill

2. 
   kensshop | Dec 17, 2003 02:50pm | #12

   In response to your last request for feedback on Bridgewood.  Woodworking tools and machinery, by and large, are like automobiles.  It comes down to personal preference.  Different strokes for differenent folks.  And, like automobiles, price competition, customer service, and years of consumer preference have dictated what sells and what doesn't.

   My point is obvious, just about every brand of woodworking machine available today is of respectable quality.  You will sometimes hear something negative about a certain brand, or specific model, but that's rare.  Customer service is the name of the game.  Remember, that's why I decided against the General International jointer.  This may be a VERY good machine, but if every dealer I spoke to slammed the customer service, next.....

   Bridgewood is probably fine.  Ask THEM for some references.  Good luck.