Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 24, 2010 09:57am | #1

   stock size

   A 6" jointer is better than a 4", but not as good as an 8", a 10" or a 12".  ;-)

   A combo jointer/planer is often convenient for a home shop, since it puts two machines in a single footprint. But, the convenience also depends on the design, and what is necessary to switch between operations.

   I'd suggest giving thought to the size of the stock you actually use before deciding. I have an old Inca 10" combo machine that does the trick for me - except for glued-up panels, of course. One can always find an excuse for wanting a bigger, badder machine, but the checkbook often gets in the way.

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 26, 2010 09:41am | #2

   Ralph,

   This doesn't answer your question directly but may be of help.

   I, too, did not like the idea of a 6" jointer and a 12" planer, so I went with a MiniMax 12" combo. I have never looked back.   Do not consider this as an endorsement of the MiniMax to the exclusion of others, as I have not used others. My MiniMax machine has been trouble-free and my contacts with Sam Blasco have been excellent.

   Combo machine considerations -

   It takes me less than a minute to switch from jointer to planer - or back again.

   For my shop setup, the chip exhaust hose location was critical. I did not want the discharge direction to change when switching.

    Think about the blade guard. My pork-chop guard is a pain and therefore I removed it. (Not too smart but - )

   Slot mortiser attachment. I love it. As an attachment it is not over-the-top dollarwise.

   I mounted mine on an HTC mobile base and can easily move it out of the way when it is not in use.

   Frosty

    

3. 
   bones | Sep 26, 2010 12:12pm | #3

   Griz is fine stuff

   As an owner of a lot of green tools (TS,BS,12" Jointer, HZ boring machine), I can say I've been pleased with all of the products I've owned.  I would thinkthe combo unit would be fine but there are some stark differences from the individual units. I looked at the combo unit when I decided to buy my 12" jointer about 3 years ago.   I feel that with a jointer or planer the widest you can afford will serve you well.  I went from a 6" delta to the 12" and I've never ever once said to myself, dang that jointer is too wide!.  I absolutely love the 12" jointer.  Its a beast sure, but it's nice to throw that big board up on the massive table and get it done in a single pass.  The thing that swung me to the individual jointer (getting a larger machine) was the table infeed/outfeed length.  While I'm sure the combo unit will be fine, it is very nice to have those long in/out tables to support the longer boards and I'll tell you why.   I use to cut my rough stock down to aproximate size prior to running over the jointer.  Getting the rough stock in preportion to the in/out tables goes a long way in supporting the work and making it easy on you.   The down side is when cutting those rough boards down, sometimes I would cut through only to discober after processing some really great grain patterns that if i had done the whole board first, I would have cutting it off in an entirely different place.  I also already have a 12" desktop planer that serves me well (makita 2012 20 years old and still going strong), so I did not feel the need to make the jump.  For you that could be an entirely different matter in which case the combo unit would be a great choice.   The final decision was the HSS knives .vs. carbide inserts or byrd type head.   When I priced mine the cost of adding the head latter .vs. on date of purchase was the same, so I went ahead and bought the 4 HSS knives version with the thought of upgrading latter after I saved some dough.   I've been happy with the HSS so at this time I don't see me making the upgrade.  BTW, those first set of knives are still going strong.     Good luck and enjoy the new toy no matter what your choice, but I think griz is a fine option.   

1. 
   medicinedog | Sep 26, 2010 12:59pm | #4

   Thank you to everyone for input

   I really appreciate everyones input.  I purchased the 6 inch jointer from powermatic, It was on sale with free shipping. I may regret it but am sure I will get a lot of good use with it. You see a jointer on sale and think I would like to have that, then you start thinking well helical heads would be better but much more expensive, then 8" would be better than 6, or maybe 10 or 12". Pretty soon you are looking at european combination units costing in the thousands of dollars. Whoa back up, how far can I afford to take this hobby. I love woodworking but also carving, motorcycling, etc. and I'm still working out of my garage. Maybe I should build a shop first. Last year I upgraded to a Unisaw as the old model was on sale and now wonder if I shouldn't have saved for a sawstop, $1500 more and no chance of going to the hospital sounds like a bargain.Choices.  Anyway I really do appreciate everyone's input, so thanks.

1. 
   bones | Sep 26, 2010 07:28pm | #5

   enjoy

   Enjoy the new toy!    I love the smell of new tools in the morning!

1. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 27, 2010 04:30pm | #6

   the smell of new tools in the morning

   I'm working on an air freshener with the smell of new tools. The cast iron, machine oil and fresh enamel smells were easy. It's the smell of a freshly-sharpened chisel that has me stumped.  ;-)

4. 
   Jon | Sep 27, 2010 06:13pm | #7

   Combo joiner/planer

   I would never hesitate to recomend the combo machine.  I had the Robland x31 combo machine that had the 10" 3hp joiner/planer as part of the machine and never regretted the size nor anything else.  Grizzly make a very good machine line and if it's in your budget, go for it you'll never be sorry you did. Plus you have the savings of space in your shop for additional tools as time goes by.