Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 07, 2003 08:03pm | #1

   I have the Jet 6", which I bought at the Auburn scratch-n-dent outlet for $385.  It's been a fine machine.  However, if you're not in Western Washington <g> and want to save some $$, you might want to consider the Yarkcraft (YC-6J model).  It's been in a couple of reviews in the last year and has performed quite well.  Price is a little over $300.  It shows up in the FWW tool guide.  Their comments:  extremely flat table, rack and pinion fence.  The table is a little longer than the one on the Jet.  Seems like a great deal.  That'd leave the extra $$ to buy that new DeWalt planer.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   fredb | Oct 07, 2003 10:38pm | #2

   Hi FG,

   What's the size of the fence on your's? I've been looking at the spec's for the DeltaX and it's fence is quite large (maybe the largest). The other item that I've read is good is the rack-and-pinion adjuster (but how often is this adjustment actually made???).

   Thanks for the response. And regarding the money savings, I'm ready to lay out what's "needed" for the "better" of the tool(s). I plan on doing a lot more woodworking now that we decided to "stay" in our current home. Woodworking project ideas are adding up quick!

   I have not owned a planer or jointer so a pair of beavers in a metal enclosure is more than I have to compare anything to (if you know what I mean)...

   Regards - Fred

   Edited 10/7/2003 3:39:07 PM ET by FredB

   Edited 10/7/2003 3:39:19 PM ET by FredB

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 08, 2003 09:16am | #6

   Hi Fred.  The fence on the Jet 6" is about 29".  Since your pressure (on the stock) is generally in the region to right and left of cutterhead, it seems like plenty of fence area.  A longer table would certainly be nice, but the price on the Powermatic, which is the long-fence champion for 6" jointers, was prohibitive for moi.  If I were to spend that much on a jointer in the future, I'd get the Grizzly 8" jointer for more face-jointing capability.

   I use the fence adjustment quite a bit when jointing, because I want to distribute the cutting for edge jointing across the width of the knives so they don't wear unevenly.  The Jet fence is a two-point-pivot arrangement, and it works fine, but two hands are needed in order to avoid scraping the bottom of the fence on the jointer bed when moving the fence in and out.  I gather that the rack and pinion design requires only one hand to adjust.  It might be a trade-off between speed of adjustment (2-point-pivot) and convenience of one-handed approach -- I'd think the R&P arrangement would take longer to move across the bed.

   You might want to have a "buddy" nearby the first time you use your planer.  It's a dazzling experience (cruddy wood in, beautiful wood out!) and fainting is not beyond the realm of possibility.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 07, 2003 11:54pm | #3

   A buddy bought one this weekend.  He had to plane a bunch of Doug Fir which can be a challenge.  He loves it.  Re: which 6" jointer ? If I had it to do over again all else being equal I'd go for the longest bed, probably the long bed Powermatic.  Incidentally I got a great deal on a floor model Delta 6" w/ open stand and it works well enough, it's just the longer the bed, the longer the board that can be jointed accurately.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

3. 
   Alan | Oct 08, 2003 02:10am | #4

   Fred,

   For the price of those fork-tailed tools you could buy a huge pile of wood to practice your planing on--and you'd probably have enough left over to get a Lie-Nielsen plane or two.

   Alan

1. 
   Sancho | Oct 08, 2003 03:39am | #5

   Jet or powermatic ya cant go wrong with either 

   Darkworksite4: Subterráneo en la república de gente de Calif

4. 
   MikeK50 | Oct 08, 2003 09:00pm | #7

   Fred,

   I have the Powermatic 54A 6" jointer and it is excellent.  The 66" long table makes jointing long boards worth the $750 price.  Some may argue that you can get an 8" jointer for that price, but I like the PM quality.

   Mike

5. 
   lateapex911 | Oct 18, 2003 10:05pm | #8

   I just bought one.  So far so good.

   I like the design which requires no head clamp.  And the finish is superb, even on the 'high' speed. (less cuts per inch)  It appears that the blade change will be easy, but as they are two sided, I hope it will be awhile before I find out.

   It is large, and heavy, but has well placed handles.  I,m not a big yellow in general, but I do cherry pick the line.

   The most notable thing about it's actual use is the chip ejection.. Wild! The thing is a virtual leaf blower. I can't imagine a vac that could keep up! working outside is fine, but I haven't figured out what to do inside yet.

   And finally, it seems pretty darn quiet to me, for a planer.

   Final analysis is that it was pricey, but I will hopefully own it for 10 or more years, so it will be well worth it.  I learned long ago that the money spent on tools is soon forgotten, but the annoyances of ill functioning tools lasts forever.

   Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 19, 2003 12:57am | #9

   "but I haven't figured out what to do inside yet."  Jake, have you seen the accessory they have for it?  I couldn't find a picture on the web site, but I believe it's a collection bag with a tube that connects to the planer.

   Speaking of leaf blowers, here's another possibility, and since it's essentially 2-stage, it might work quite OK for the volume of the planer:http://members.aol.com/Alamaral/DC.html

   Have fun with your new planer.  Color me green -- I got a long ways to go before my little Delta wears out!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   Rob_In_Wayne | Oct 19, 2003 04:14am | #10

   If anyone is thinking about a Rigid planer, Home Depot is closing them out at $329 starting today "while supplies last." It's still the tool stand + dust hood + extra set of knives deal they've had.  I decided on one a while back, but have been biding my time until a good sale came along.  It's here.

   Rob

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 19, 2003 05:51pm | #12

   Rob

      I almost bought the Ridgid instead of the Delta 2 speed. Tool-Crib had a sale on Delta and free shipping plus no sales tax. $400 bottom line. I had a 10% off from HD, but even that combined with sales tax was more. I tried to get them to match, but they wouldn't.

      The Ridgid has the smoothest hand crank out there. I have not seen the new DW, so I cannot compare it to that one. The $329 is a good price. It's a good planer.

   Good luck...

   sarge..jt

   Edited 10/19/2003 10:52:13 AM ET by SARGE

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 19, 2003 07:34pm | #13

   The Rigid is a very good BT planer -- I have a friend who bought one a couple years ago and he really likes it, lots of good reports in the forums.  For that price, it's dy-no-mite.  Price being no object, I'd certainly go for the DeWalt, but  for the ~$300 range, the Rigid would be a good choice.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   lateapex911 | Oct 20, 2003 04:39am | #14

   Hey, that thing is wild!  I haven't seen the bag accessory.  I asked at the store where I bought it, but they just looked at me with a deer caought in the headlights look.

   I get that a lot.

   I will look into a cool collector as your link shows.  Not sure if the leaf blower is nec., maybe just some schrewd piping.... you should see this thing fling shavings!Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 20, 2003 05:40am | #15

   Jake,

   Ah!  I found it listed at http://www.examstore.com/shop/product.aspx?asin=B0000CCXUC

   Unfortunately, there's no picture -- probably because DeWalt doesn't even have on on their web site yet.  It's "only" $45 bucks.  If I can ever get my last 2 months mags filed, I'll find whatever pic it was I saw of it and scan it to y'all.

   BTW, do you routinely post your email address in forums?  Just asking -- it's bound to increase your spam inflow quite a bit....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   lateapex911 | Oct 20, 2003 05:51am | #16

   Hey, thanks for the link.

   Actually, regarding my email, unless the folks here, or over at Breaktime, or the Improved Touring.com forums are sending me weight loss, debt reduction and other 'sexy' links, then, no I have no problem with extra spam.

   Besides, I'll take 20 spam mails over one peice of junkmail in my real mailbox!

   Anyone here is welcome to email me anytime.Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

6. 
   SparrowHawk | Oct 19, 2003 01:25pm | #11

   Hi Fred,

   I've got the Ridgid 6" jointer as does a rather well known luthier friend of mine - it was his unqualified recommendation that sold me initially. Since the purchase a year ago I am quite pleased with the performance it has given.  It's construction is solid and the tables were perfectly ground. I tend to prefer wheels over rods for adjustments and they have served me well. Granted that 6" limits you somewhat if you are working with wider boards but there are ways around that if you do some research on techniques. To be fair, this is the first jointer I have owned so I have nothing to compare it to but as you mentioned, it did well in the reviews.

   Be safe,
   Ken