Replies

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jul 06, 2005 07:02pm | #1

   Piccioni:

   Are you sure you have searched enough? Where did you search? Surely something other than bed length & cutter type matter in this choice. Perhaps you are afraid not you won't spend enough as opposed to being economical. There are jointers as cheap as $600 that are very good if you aren't running a furniture factory. On a personal note: I especially like Delta's (& Yorkcraft's) rack & pinion fence setup.

   RoRo

1. 
   Piccioni | Jul 06, 2005 07:55pm | #3

   Thanks - I meant I searched for an existing thread associated with comparing these machines at the Taunton sites and got zilch.

   I am aware of a number of 8" jointers on the market. What I want is a good, professional quality machine, even though I'm not running a factory.

   So, I'm not afraid of spending too much money, just wasting it. In my experience, I've more often wasted money on cheap tools than expensive ones. For example, I have thrown out or given away all the Craftsman tools I've ever own except one because they are garbage. I haven't disposed of my Craftsman radial saw because it cost so much, but I'm tempted. 

   Since I can pretty much afford to buy what I want, I've decided I want a high quality jointer that will produce good results & I narrowed it down to those two. Hence the question.

2. 
   RickL | Jul 06, 2005 07:22pm | #2

   The DJ-20 with it's parallelogram table mechanism is the same used on the top European jointers like Martin, etc. A better system as it allows complete table adjustment compared to dovetailed ways.  Sunhill sells the byrd helical head at the best price. The byrd is the better helical head on the market. It's a true helical where the knives cut on the shear. The other helical heads are staggered in a helical manner but are straight cutting. Not sure if the General uses the Byrd or has a parallelogram table but those are things I would look at. I repair machines for a living so I have practical knowledge to base my info on.

1. 
   Piccioni | Jul 06, 2005 07:55pm | #4

   Interesting points - thanks!

3. 
   BenA | Jul 17, 2005 08:14pm | #5

   Did you look at powermatic for jointers? They do still make very good quality products, and there new 8" jointer looks nice. It has a list price of about $2200,, don't know if thats too much for you , but it doesen't cost anything to look. good luck . see link below on the powermatic.

   http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/index.cfm?area=shop&action=detail&iid=6053074

1. 
   Piccioni | Jul 18, 2005 06:09pm | #8

   Is a bit expensive - I don't know if they are available up here in the snowy north.

4. 
   wintersedge | Jul 18, 2005 12:51pm | #6

   I am also looking at the DJ20. However, when looking for more information, I found 2 different models:
   Delta 37-365X X5 8" DJ20 Precision Jointer
   Delta 37-350A DJ-20 8" Precision Jointer
   Cutter speed and motor strength are the same. About the only real difference I could find is that one has a 5 year warranty, and the other has the standard 2 years. Can anyone comment future on this.

   Thanks,

   Shawn

1. 
   Piccioni | Jul 18, 2005 05:49pm | #7

   Well I did some more research and discovered the General does not come with the helical cutter - thats' another C$1000 or so, so my choice is between two foreign made machines with similar capabilities, except one costs about C $550 less (the X 5 comes with choice of freebies including a router worth over C $100) and has a 5 year warranty. I haven't looked at the General up close, but all the General Internationals I've seen don't look all that well finished. Of course, I'll check this out before I make the purchase.

   I think I'll go with the X5 and get the free stuff and guarantee, unless the General is really something when I see it.

1. 
   JeffreyS | Jul 20, 2005 09:52am | #9

   I bought a DJ20 about 6 months ago from Amazon (free shipping and a great price). There is no difference between the DJ20 and the X5 series except the "freebies" and 5 yr warantee. With the price difference I could purchase (if I needed them) all the "freebies" except the extended warantee. I reasoned that if the machine was good the first year then years 2-5 would likely be ok- after that there is no difference.

   So far I have been very happy with it. Smooth cuts and great to work with. I opted for an 8" with a long table when I chose this machine. And after doing a few 10 ft long, 7.5 inch wide 12/4 boards I am really glad I got this one. I could not have handled them on a smaller machine.

   Jeff

1. 
   Piccioni | Jul 20, 2005 02:49pm | #10

   Thanks!