I’m buying the 6″ Jet jointer – 708457K
I have never owned a jointer but have used them plenty of times at my woodworking classes. My home shop is 12X18 with an oil tank on one end. Woodcraft is having a sale and I can purchase this jointer for $359. I have read many reviews and the majority of them are excellent. I can pick it up on Saturday with my truck and save any shipping. I am very excited. I really would love to purchase an 8″ jointer but my teacher said he lived with a 6″ jointer for many years before moving up. I think due to real estate and budget that this 6″ jointer will be an excellent purchase.
Please tell me this is a decent purchase. I’m particularly interested in Jet 6″ jointer owners. I have not bought it yet and can back out…
Regards,
Buzzsaw
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
I have the 6" Jet Jointer. Unfortunately I bought it several years ago when it was more expensive than now. That said, I have no complaints. I agree that an 8" jointer would be nice, but this has served me well for any furniture projects that I've taken on at home. I have not changed blades since buying it, so I can't comment on that. As far as using it, it has been great. And for the price, you can't go wrong. You can always upgrade later and probably sell this Jet for not a lot less than what you paid for it.
Thanks Doc. Glad to see that you have liked it..Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Not to add to your indecision but I would take a look at the Yorkcraft YC6 Jointer. At $309 plus shipping, not a bad deal and I've heard nothing but good reviews from owners, especially concerning the rack & pinion fence.
I'll bet it's the same jointer as one that Delta sells.
http://www.wilkemachinery.com/default.tpl?action=full&cart=117620734296657&--eqskudatarq=2341
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
P.S. Just noticed that you're following the other discussion about Yorkcraft vs. Delta, so my post seems redundant.
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 4/10/2007 8:25 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
I was thinking about that one as well(and it does have built-in wheels) but will have to order it and will not be able to pick it up. I may call them today and find out how much shipping will be...Thanks for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Bob,
Just called Wilke and the shipping to NH for the YorkCraft 6" jointer is $93. The jointer itself is $309 so buying the Jet locally for $359 and then having to purchase a mobile base we are pretty much at a wash for each machine. I think I will stick with the Jet, although if I was close to PA I would definitely purchase the Yorkcraft 6" jointer.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Sounds like a plan.
I have an older Jet 6" (about 12 years old) and it works real well. The knives are still sharp, never been changed! Being a hobbiest it doesn't get that much use from me but its previous owner used it a lot (definition). He didn't have a planer so it double dutied for 11 years for him.
From the Great North Woods,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Buzzsaw,
If you look the Grizzly 6 inch jointer is only $199.95 (shipping is $39.00) but I'd like to explain boats to you..
You see everybuddy buys small boats and spend a fortune working their way up in size untill they finally get one too big.
Jointers are the same way, I bought an 8 inch and look with lust at the 12 inch! I know that sooner or later I'll get one the size of a battleship and that should be just about right..
Thanks for the info Frenchy. I will look at the Grizzly as I already bought a bandsaw from them and like it a lot...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I couldn't agree more with your statement about size of jointers. If you buy a 6", it will be the best machine ever made......for about 6 months. Then FWW will do a review on 8" jointers and you will start looking at them. Before you know it, you have an 8" jointer in your shop and that "best machine ever made 6" is gone".
Then you will run into a project where you will need to joint an 11" board and catch yourself saying "I wonder how much a 12" jointer cost's"?
Well, this is how it worked for me. Anyone want to buy an 6" and 8" jointer? :)
ps.
A 16" jointer would be the last one I would ever have to buy! HMMMMH
Jeff
My friend has a 16" jointer.... it scares the crap out of me. YOu need to lean over it to use it.......
Rich
I recently bought the long bed (56 inch) 6" Jet and I am extremely pleased with it. I bought it at a recent Woodcraft 10% off sale for $495. It is basically the same jointer that you are looking at, with the differences being a 10" longer bed and quick set knives. Before buying, I looked at several 6" models as well as some of the low-end 8" models and I believe the Jet was the best choice for my needs.
Keep in mind that there are two important dimensions to a jointer-the width and the length of the bed. A 6" jointer with a 24" bed like the above mentioned Grizzly cannot possibly do the work that you can do with the 46" Jet that you are considering. The Grizzly G0452 is more comparable to the Jet, and sells for $428.25 shipped.
Thanks Greg. I think the 56" was another $200 so I decided against that one. I think this is a pretty good deal, but I still should look into the YorkCraft just to see how much shipping would be. Thanks for the info.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Wow, I would avoid that little Griz bench top like the plague.. Unless your a woodin model boat or model plane builder.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
BruceS
Did you carefully read the OP?
the reason I asked is he seemed most concerned about size. Grizzly makes bigger ones too and I explained about boats and how you always want the next size up and how that applies to jointers, planners and well,.... male orgins ;-)
Yes, I read. And totally approve of the Jet. I would just avoid those little bench tops with a universal motor. And I'de venture a guess that the outfeed table is nonadjustable, can't tell by the picture at the Griz site.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Thanks Bruce. I am going to buy the Jet on Saturday. I had no interest in a benchtop model.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzz,
I bought the Jet 6" about 8 yrs ago, have been very satisfied with it, and predict that, unless you build furniture professionally, you will not need a bigger one. Another reason I recommend Jet is (from my experience, anyway) good customer service. The on-off switch on mine would not work at first, until I switched it off & on about 20 times, then worked perfectly. I E mailed Jet with my concern about the possibility that my switch was unreliable. I received an immediate reply requesting my mailing address and had a new switch in about 3 days. Hope you enjoy yours. Gary
Thanks Gary. I'm glad you have enjoyed your machine. Next purchase, a planer and I'll be in business...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I have the machine it is excellent, my only complaint is that adjusting the amount to remove is a tinny bit is a pain. To remove less then 1/16 in pass is a pain. If I could I would take off only 1/64’ in a pass if could so I may be insane. This is an excellet jointer for a smaller shop. good luck
Rich
Thanks for your input. I'm picking it up on Saturday. Lookin forward to using it...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I purchased a Jet 6 " jointer a few years back and I am not happy with it. I should have purchased a Delta or Pwermatic. I should have purchased the 8 " jointer as well.
On the Jet 6 " jointer, the infeed table is not dead flat nor is the infeed fence a perfect 90 degrees to the bed but interestingly the fence on the outfeed side is 90 degrees to the outfeed bed. What a mess. No matter what I could not adjust the fence to be 90 degrees on both sides. I had to breakdoiwn the unit and remill the fence at a machine shop.
Did you inform Jet of your problems? My fence was very slightly convex (6" Jet jointer), I called the toll free number and they sent me a new one the next day.
Rob
no, you have their customer service number!!!!
Guess what. I have the Delta DJ 8" joiner and it's fence is very warped, too.
No need to reply, Buzzsaw.
I have the 6" Delta and have frequently wished I had an 8".
The main reason is that when I go to buy stock I'm always limited to boards that are under 6".. and I always seem to find straighter, cleaner stock that's between 6" and 8".
But when it comes right down to it.. you need more room than I've got for an 8". Those buggers are really long.
I think you'll be pleased with your purchase.. because one thing is certain.
Any jointer is better than no jointer.
Hi,
I bought it and I love it so far. It makes a rough board like glass in a couple of passes. I had a slight issue with the board stopping at the outfeed table but the tech suggested using WD-40 on the reverse dovetail ways on the infeed table and then lowering and raising it a number of times. It resolved the issue although I'm not really sure why. Now all I need is a planer and I got my eyes on a 13" Delta...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I have that planer and you will absolutely love it. Talk about a great finish. The Delta has many great features including a cutterhead lock.. blade zero tab.. and depth of cut setting. And the blades are reversible and easy to change.
Congrats on your purchase. And I think you can get an equally good deal on the Delta planer. They've come down alot since I bought mine.
Oh, be sure and order the dust hood for the planer. For some reason it doesn't come standard.. and a planer without a dust hood is like life in a whirling dervish.
Bill
Thanks for the info Bill. I will make sure I get the dust hood...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
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