This is my 3rd attempt at post. Problems with the server?
My question is how you guys with 8″ jointers weighing 500 pounds pick them up. I understand the whole mobile rollers thing. BUT what about going through doors, up or down stairs, setting up, etc.?
An automotive pulley with chains?
Partial disassembly?
I’m wanting the Sunhill 6″, but the 8 is such a great deal…. The final issue for me just might be the weight because I have to be mobile because of my career field.
Jeff
Replies
They come in pieces - body, base, etc.
If it is REALLY heavy, you will probably need to remove the infeed and outfeed tables as well. Then you are left with a bunch of nice, light, 150-200# pieces ;)
Doug
OK. Thanks DMW.
Suppose, however, that I've never disassembled a jointer before. Do you taking off the infeed/outfeed tables would take more time or be more complex than disassembling cast iron wing extensions for a table saw?
Jeff
I have the sunhil 8", and it weighs all of that 500 lbs. It is easy to disassemble, but the 2 pieces are still heavy and the body is odd shaped (with the tables, and all that). You can remove the body from the base with 3 hex head bolts and by removing the belts. It's that easy.
Still a 2 man job to move the body, it probably weighs 400 lbs.
Don't remove the infeed or outfeed tables from a jointer..no...no...no....! ! Not unless your looking for several hours of entertainment resetting the tables with trial and error adjusting the gib screws to get the tables co-planer again. These machines are assembled at the factory first, then ground on a blanchard grinder as one unit, you can see where the grinding swirl marks line up across both tables. You would have to "re-create" that setting after disassembly. A REAL lot of fun is trying to hold the 150 plus pound table of an 8" while trying to slide it back down it's dovetail ways.
As for moving, I wouldn't hesitate buying the 8" over the 6". Two guys can easily handle the weight. Up and down stairs, over hill, over dale, cross the woods to grandma's house.
Have fun, move safe
GC
Edited 9/27/2002 3:53:47 AM ET by GCLANCY
Pull the motor, pull the base, and if it still too heavy take some thing else off! ;) I took a Jet 15" planer and 8" jointer downstairs with 2 people. They are ~500 lbs each. And in my house it isn't a straight shot at all. I pulled the whole cutter head on the planer, used some of those ratcheting tie down straps to lift it off the posts. Ran the straps over 6 2x8's run between two ladders. One thing to do is make some wood sleds to set the parts in/on. Run the 2x8's rails on the sled longer then the biggest part so you have handles to grasp. The big issue is getting a good grip on the item. This also helps the odd shapes and sharp edges issues. And it protects the parts from the stair treads and walls. Make sure the parts are strapped to the sled so they can't move. It is easier to move a part if you can set it down for a minute or slide it a little knowing it is the wood 2x8 not the cutter head that is running over that stair tread. Once downstairs I used the steel beams that hold the joists up to run the straps over to lower the head back on, not quite a chain fall but I had the straps! I didn't pull either infeed or outfeed table off the joiner, just the motor and base. But I did put it on the sled to protect it and me!
Edward
Edited 9/27/2002 4:18:38 AM ET by EFARMER4
Edited 9/27/2002 4:21:38 AM ET by EFARMER4
Hey Jeff -
I guess my reply didn't post, either, for some reason.
If you plan on moving this thing, or perhaps some other heavy stuff over the course of your active working career, I'd suggest looking into something like an engine hoist like what's sold at Shucks or some of the other auto parts chain stores. They can be had at the 1000# capacity size which should pick your jointer without a problem.
Or, in a more efficient mode, make something. Even if it's out of wood. At my stage in life, picking things up that weigh in excess or 100# isn't too inviting. But I've unloaded an 8" Delta Jointer, Unisaw and, the killer, a 2442 Powermatic lathe (at 950lbs shipping weight!). I rigged a chain hoist on a beam that I just back the trailer under, pick the object and drive the trailer out.
Stairs are a challenge. I don't know what to tell you on that score except to try to avoid a situation where you have to move your equipment up or down them. I'd suspect, though, that building a slide and using a come-a-long, block & tackle or winch & cable, you should be able to slide the thing(s) up or down. If you do use some approach like that, work slowly! Think out every move and make sure the object being moved is secured at all times. A 500# jointer on a mobile base that gets a way from you halfway up a flight of stairs wouldn't be much fun.
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Dennis and ALL:
Thank you. I decided that even though the Sunhill 8" on sale is a shell of a deal, to get the 6 in., which has those bolt-on extensions that take it out to 52 in. That's enough to make furniture with, a respectable place to start into jointing. It also allows me to move in about 6 months without having to rent a crane OR worse--pretend like I could lift it.
It's a given that everyone with a 6 wishes they had an 8. But I think that for me their will be more times when I know the 6 will do fine and that the 8 would be shell to pay. And I wonder out loud now--do you suppose the glue ups from jointers spinning at 13,500 RPM really LOOK or HOLD UP any worse than those from jointers spinning at 18,000 RPM where someone ran the stock through maybe a little quicker??? Good enough is good enough.
It also left over some cash to spend on books with Taunton. They're doing away with the Taunton PLUS discount in 2 weeks--as if they don't get enough of my money already. Wonder if they edit critical messages on this board? :)
Anyway, thanks.
Jeff
the 18,000 number is due to the fact that there are 4 knives on the cutterhead, not 3 or 2... more knives x same rpm = higher CPI.
I understand your logic, don't dispute it at all, but it's worth noting that the reason an 8" jointer (or bigger) is useful is not for jointing an edge, after all, how many 8" thick boards does anyone work with? The extra width is useful because you can run a wider board through on it's face. This is helpful when you want to take out a cup or twist, or just clean it up... or in my case, when I'm too lazy to walk over to the planer when the jointer is right next to my bench.
good luck with your machine, whatever you choose you will discover will become one of the most used machines in your shop.
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