Thread: Jointer Value ?

Well there's been a fair bit of discussion on jointers on the board over the years, so a search will turn up heaps of info.

In my case I have a Jet 6" and I love it.

I've just spent the last two and a half hours cleaning up some red gum sleepers which used to be a retaining wall.

I can definately recomend that you get a jointer, If money permits have a look at the longer bed version of the 6" units, or better still an 8" unit.

I have the H&F 8" recently baught at the Melbourne WWW show and has proved it's worth already.

A word of advice if you are going into recyling timber get yourself a good metal detector, also a cheap belt sander or power hand plane to clean up the timber before putting it anywhere near your jointer.

Himzo.

Sounds like you are set on a jointer, but have you considered a simple jig for your router (presuming you have one ) for the job at hand?

I vegetated on making one for a while, but ended up knocking together up "prototype" that works a treat.

Basically a couple of bits of allthread (or ground steel rod by preference) through the router base fence holes, to a couple of "skis" which hold the router a given distance above your bench or work surface. Said bench or work surface being as flat and smooth as possibe, as this is the plane your workpiece will be levelled to. I used a 6' x 2' piece of melamine laid on top of an aluminium ladder.

Couple of dabs of hot melt glue to hold your workpiece down, possibly with a few wedges if twisted. Fire up the router with a big straight bit or other flat bottomed bit (I have a 1 1/2" tray bit), set depth to take off up to about 3 mm (will depend on the timber and the power of your router) and away you go.

Take wide passes to "hog" off the excess, then narrow lighter cuts to finish. The resulting surface comes up quite smooth and flat. Flip it over to flatten the other side parallel with the first.

I jointed/thicknessed some redgum bearers this way and was rapt with the result, lots of fiddleback in the grain but the high cutting angle from the end of the router bit cut it very cleanly without tearout. Surprisingly quck too.

My 2c..........cheers..........Sean

Hi,

I considered both machines when I purchased a while back. With only a $30 difference, the Carbatec model is the one to go with. Has 1Hp motor (instead of 3/4HP on the TT model), plus fully enclosed metal cabinet base (TT model is open with plastic coverings). The Carbatec seemed to have a more solid and better machined fence and bed as well.

I've had no problems with my CTJ-196 and it works great and runs smooth.

I've got the carbatec ctj 196 jointer and I have had it for a bit over 12 months. I suppose if I had a lot more money to spend I would have got a bigger jointer but for what I paid it has been excellent. The bed is true. It has a good cast iron fence and the motor has plenty of grunt for the jobs I have given it. I have it connected to a 600 cfm dust extractor and the unit gives me straight true timber and keeps the workshop clean. I have no hesitation in reccommending it but with this provision. If you happen to have the money to get the cjt 350 8 inch long bed jointer then get it instead. I use one of them at work and have found it to be a good machine. But if you are like most people then you will have to compromise between your ideals and the size of your wallet. In that case the 6 inch has been excellent value to me.

Thanks mate - I am off to buy one today - they said they would throw in some blades as well .

They had an * inch one for $795 off the floor but I was too slow.

ccb