In a recent post (VBQ (Very Basic Question) by Forest Girl) there was mention of the Jet 8″ jointer. Does anyone have experience with one?
I presently have an old (still good running circa 1945) 6″ Delta.I am considering the Delta 8″ Precision, made in China. I have never had a problem with my Delta tools. I see the Jet is about $200 more, which is definitely worth considering. I have never had a Jet tool so any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks, George
Replies
Hi George, I'm green with envy that you're considering getting an 8" jointer. Any chance you're on the left coast so I could buy that Delta from you? :-)
Seriously, though, I think you'd like the Jet just fine. I haven't bought my first jointer yet, but have been following "testimonials" and gripes at various forums for several months now. I've never seen complaints on the Jet, and I do know from personal experience that their customer service is excellent! Can't say the same about Delta, unfortunately. I'll leave it at that. Have fun!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
It's a lonnnnggg way from Lake Superior to the Sound with mountains in the way!!
Thanks for the advice after your research.
George
It is your choice pretty much. The Delta and the Jet are on a par as far as where they are made. Delta, from what I've heard, is 6 months behind on production. I would go with either the Jet or if you want to step up then the Powermatic. 8", yes if you have the room but a 6" is plenty for most in the home shop. These are not production models and as long as you understand that, then you will be happy.
Steve - in Northern California
Thanks Steve.
With a half a pole building stacked 12' high with lumber, lots wide boards, I think the 8" will come in handy. Hopefully should save when it's time to glue up, less boards to clamp, as long as the wider sections are true.
Have a good evening, George
When I was out dreaming last spring, the Powermatic 8" definitely looked like it would last 3 lifetimes or so. Would have bought the less expensive Delta if fear of SHMBO hadn't been so strong.
"She Hoo Must Be Obeyed"?? That's funny! Luckily, I'm the tool-craver and the SWMBO! LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forest_Girl,
I bought the 6" Jet several months ago and had some problems keeping the fence aligned. I returned the Jointer, and have been trying to locate a suitable substitute. To be fair, I also had my own problems learning to use a jointer properly. I wrote about the whole experience here on Knots on the old forum (use the search function to find that discussion).
In my experience, the handwheels, which seem like a good idea, don't really add much precision. In the intervening months, I've tested the 8" Powermatic and a Delta, neither of which have handwheels, and they are actually more accurate, from what I can tell.
I'm narrowing my choices down to the 8" Powermatic, and possibly an 8" Grizzly. Never bought a Grizzly tool before, but I have been hearing good things about their jointers. I thought about getting the Inca, but just can't justify the added expense of their tools, no matter how good they are.
Keep us informed about your choice. We're all in this together!
Edited 6/12/2002 2:07:45 PM ET by Matthew Schenker
Edited 6/12/2002 2:08:26 PM ET by Matthew Schenker
Matthew, I have the Jet 6" and found it very easy to adjust. The powermatic 8" was sitting right next to it on the showroom floor and I kick myself for not coughing up the bucks right then and there. The 6" Jet has been perfect but I have run into several frustrating instances where I needed more jointer. Of course, just a soon as I do buy the 8" I'll find that I need a 12" and so on and so on. I guess I should just be happy with the 6" and try to wear it out.John
If the funding was there, I'd have gotten the Grizzly 8". Maybe in a couple years :-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
What does LOL mean anyway? The proper term for my wife is The All Knowing Goddess.
LOL means laughing out loud and the proper term for my wife is simply "X"Steve - in Northern California
What, were you thinking "Little Old Lady" I would never do that!! :-) LOL!
LOL "Laughing out loud"
ROFL "Rolling on the floor laughing"
IMHO "In my humble opinion" [Hardly ever see that one here, LOL!]
PTB "Powers that be" [May not be universal; I use it though]
FWIW "For what it's worth"
PITA "Pain in the a$$" [What I call my cat when she's being a pest, like knocking a router bit off the table in the living room. She's doing an extensive and long-term research project on the physics of various human-provided objects falling various distances off of various pieces of furniture]
Tons more, but can't think of 'em right now.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
My wife is the same as Steve's - X - Go figure...John
Don't know about you, John, but I get the feeling "amicable" might not have been the primary adjective in Steve's parting process. :-(
On a completely different note :-) I just drove in the driveway with my (our, actually) new jointer!!!! Yeah!!!!! Can't wait 'til Saturday. Gotta go to work now.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Well if it was anything like mine, it was totally amicable. We're still great friends and will always be. You cant hate someone just because living with them is impossible. At least I think thats why she doesnt hate me.. LOL.
Better subject: Congrats on the Jointer.... You will be happy x 100.000,000 with it. Wait till you see how you saw performs when your wood is straight and true. Just remember how heavy it is.. Theres a lot of cast iron there.
John
Speaking of the table saw (ahhh, deja vu all over again), yes I'm hoping it will help. Right now, when I rip a board or piece of plywood (say 2 feet long or so), there's a slight "dip" mid-way through. The ripped edge isn't totally straight. I'm thinking it's either the fence moving (way to go, Jet) or the splitter not lined up and squeezing the wood a bit. I absolutely hate that splitter! Dropped the ball last week on getting info about the Biesemeyer splitter and ordering it.
At least with the jointer, if I can't fix the dipping problem, I can rip and then joint the edge completely flat. Oooo, ooo!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hi ya Jamie, well, hate to tell you this but the curve is a personal problem. Am I bad or what!.... yep believe it or not it is caused by the natural cyclic tendency of the human brain. Just something you need to be aware of when you rip wood. I know, you find that hard to believe so next time you are driving down the road, watch the car in front of you, the driver will wander from side to side in an cyclic manner over almost exact equal distances.
So, what, you think I'm yanking your chain... O.K. you caught me.
Check the head on your fence. Take out the four bolts on top and then under good light, use a magnifying glass and check for cracks on the head. If there are cracks, your fence will twist and cause the problem you are describing. Its not the splitter, that would either push the wood into to fence or pull it away but the cut would remain fairly straight and if you tried to correct for it, you would bind or burn the wood.
Oh yeah, John and Cuttoff went on a sabbatical might not come back. To weird for me. However, John is correct about my X.Steve - in Northern California
Oh Pfui! If the head on that fence is cracked, I'm gonna be real cranky! I know there are dozens of Jet fences out there serving as boat anchors or giant paperweights, would have to find one I guess and give it a new home.
Glad to hear that your references to "X" weren't acerbic -- it was hard to tell since type fonts don't have any facial expressions!
You still checking cutoff's mail?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Check you email at mindspring.Steve - in Northern California
Got it & responded.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
As well did I. I have the Magna Sets for the 12" planner and the 4,6,8 jointers. They work but I'm looking for something better.Steve - in Northern California
Some of the tools we buy are made in the same location with different paint at the end. I believe that Jet, Grizzly, and possibly Bridgewood used the same plant in Taiwan but, change the handles for adjustments. This per one of the Tool Review Specials; possibly American Woodworker.
That's probably pretty close to being correct. Maybe the same building but Jet for one has it's own QC people on site. Not sure about the others.Steve - in Northern California
The quality control is what makes the difference these days, since the vast, vast majority of tools are made overseas. Nothin' like having someone right there on site to keep things a notch better.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I think that is what Delta is learning. They are supposed to be (not confirmed) behind on production right now. I suspect it is because of QC. I think I told you about buying my DC. I wanted the extra umpf of the Delta but couldnt find one anywhere nearby. I went with the Jet and am very happy. I am amazed how quiet it is. Beismeyer fences are also getting hard to find. My normal dealer said he could special order it so I went over to Woodcraft and found one. It was the only one they had in stock but they said they had a couple on order they just hadn't come in yet. My favorite dealer is pretty savy and usually won't jump ship unless something is really wrong. I've notice far fewer Delta tools on display lately. I have a funny feeling he's gonna put Delta in a special order status and start stocking General's. The shop just down the street from him just went that route also. Bear in mind, this is speculation and it could just be a competitive move for him.Steve - in Northern California
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