Replies

1. 
   bones | May 23, 2006 08:17pm | #1

   How about a Lie-Nielsen #7 or #8 jointer. Don't laugh. I have a 6" delta jointer that was harder to work with. I bought a j#7 jointer and can flatten boards with a little elbow grease.  It sure meets your weight requirement(hehe). I was shocked at how easy it was. Just picked up a scrub plane yesterday to take the rough boards down quick.  My experience (limited) has been little jointers are not worth much.  Now a big 8" wide hunk of iron & machine is a different story. Good luck. 

2. 
   KeithNewton | May 23, 2006 10:58pm | #2

   John, I have had one of these for about 25 years, and use it a lot, and just love it. If this one quit, I would buy another before the day ended. I also have a big commercial 12" which handles most of my shop stuff, but this one goes out to job-sites, and can be used to work on surfaces that are too large for the big one.

   I have 3 vises around the shop which I have added wooden jaws that extend put and step down so it can be clamped by the handle for level stationary use. When I 'm through, it stores under the bench.

   It has a knife setting jig that gives a perfect set quickly every time.

   http://www.tools-plus.com/mak1806b.html

3. 
   cadiddlehopper | May 24, 2006 12:39am | #3

   I sold my Delta benchtop a few months ago after ten years' dependable service. I sharpened my own knives. (Always have a spare set with you.) Adjusting knives was easier than on the big jointers. Its high cutter speed gave smoother surfaces with less tearout, too. It is wise to make two shallow passes to flatten a board. That will lengthen belt life & not overload the motor. For the job you describe, the bed is long enough with no auxiliary supports. If you must have the fence square to the table, check the angle with a tool. Don't rely on the stops. It has 4 soft rubber feet to prevent slippage. Based on my experience, I'll give it a good word.

   Cadiddlehopper