I have been wanting to upgrade to an 8” jointer from my 6” Delta for awhile. I was thinking a spiral head would be nice but most used one are pretty expensive. I found a Delta DJ-20 with standard straight knives with 1 1/2hp 220 single phase. It is a 37-350 made in Brazil by Invicta back in October 1988. Asking price is $1000.
Anyone have first hand experience with one of these? I remember seeing one of these on the New Yankee workshop back in the day. Appreciate any input.
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Replies
I love my DJ20. Mine is from around 1997 and I replaced the knives with a helical cutters about 3 yrs ago. The long bed is very nice.
I've had mine from 1990. Still use straight knives. It's given me excellent service over these years. I would like a helical cutter but now I'm so used to changing knives I don't feel the need (or I'm too cheap) to spend the money.
I also have a DJ-20 from about 1999. I replaced the knives with a helical cutterhead. It works very well, I like the long bed and the helical cutterhead has reduced operating sound levels significantly. Results are excellent with it. Only thing I've noticed is that I need to check the fence squareness to the bed each time I slide the fence. I think $1K may be a bit too much for a tool that old.
I have one at work it's a 1991 year. I love it. I replaced the strait knives with a Byrd Shelix head about 6-8 years ago. Did the bearings and belt at the same time. I think the new bearings were an option or included in the cost of the cutter.
I like parallelogram style jointers better than beds that have sliding dovetail ways.
$1000 may be a bit high priced or not depending on what area of the country ypu are in and what kind of condition it is in. If I could pick one up for about $600 I would think I got a good deal, probably wouldn't pay over $1000.