Replies

1. 
   robkress | Jun 04, 2009 03:50am | #1

   My advice is to definitely get a planer and skip the jointer for now.

   I have used a Rigid 13" for years. Perfectly fine machine unless you are getting into seriously big stuff. I had the big Dewalt and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. That was one example of spending more and getting way less. New 16" Laguna just now showing up.

   At the moment I do not have a jointer and have developed very effective methods to work without one. You can always start with hand planing and a lot of guys will tell you that's best. I don't hand plane yet but am getting ready to for certain things. Mostly, I jig everything. So I have a straight line sled for my table saw. And I have several very nice and well maintained straight edges for using with a router to make perfect edges. So my advice would be to spend your money on a really nice router set (Makita or Bosch combo) and use that for now. You'll have more flexibility with a router and will likely find that you get along very well without a jointer. Then, when you're tired of spending so much time on the set up for jointing (that's when you're really in deep and the wife is pressing you for that great new table you're supposed to already be done with) then, you go out and get a nice jointer.

   But by that time, you'll be on your third router (for small stuff), your fifth hand plane, your second set of batteries on your cordless drill and impact driver, and your second table saw cause that Rigid is nice but not as nice as a cabinet saw :)

   Rob Kress

   Oh yea, forgot the sliding compound miter saw!! Whoo Hoo!

2. 
   philip_r | Jun 05, 2009 06:20pm | #2

   Buy used (craigslist.org).  If the machine is in good shape, you'll save hundreds.  In my area, I'd expect to pay 100 to 200 for a lunchbox planer and 200 to 300 for a good closed-stand 6" jointer.  There are usually a bunch available so I wouldn't want to pay any more than 50% to 65% of the original value.

   On the jointer, 6" is pretty common on the used market.  This is because many people out-grow them and move up to an 8".  On an 8" jointer, you'll only gain 2"... but the tables are almost twice as long, which is well worth the cost.  Expect to pay $600 to $1200, depending on the maker and condition.

   IMHO, a jointer and a table saw are always better if you buy big.  On the rest, buy the best you can afford.

    

3. 
   stevemorris | Jun 08, 2009 02:53am | #3

   if you are going to be working with rough lumber, a jointer is a must and also when working with homedepot type lumber

   a decent used 6 inch  jointer will do the job for 2 to 3 hundred bucks, jointers are simple machine and a good one will last forever

   a lunch box planer is much more complicated so buy a new one, the dewalt 735 is on the top of the pile

   i also use a ridgid 3650, its no cabinet saw, but a great saw for a hobbiest/small pro shop

1. 
   DanielB | Jun 08, 2009 05:40am | #4

   Thanks all of you for the information. It'a always nice to get opinions from real people instead of just searching the internet and not knowing if someone is being honest, or just trying to sell you something. Unfortunately my hours at work got cut a little, so my purchase will probably need to wait a while. The joys of a recession!!

4. 
   Napie | Jun 08, 2009 05:51am | #5

   Well, I had a Robland combination J/P with a mortising attachment.  I sold it when I moved to a larger shop, WRONG MOVE.  I regret that choice all the time.  In fact, I have a nice Boice-Crane jointer and a Rockwell-Delta planer I’d let go….

    

   For me at least the combination is the way to go.