Jet 12: planer thicknesser JPT-310HH (or something else?)

[Larks]

Has anyone had any experience with the Jet JPT-310HH?

I gather this particular helical head machine is quite new on the market and am looking for a planer thicknesses around this price bracket ($4kish) so would appreciate any thoughts.

I've spent a few days searching the forum off and on and, given that there are some new products on the market, am wondering if anyone has any recent purchases or feedback on what else may be available around this price bracket?

I'll be heading up to the Brisbane wood show to check them out there as well

many thanks
Greg

[Luke Maddux]

I almost bought it last year, but decided to wait, not because of anything wrong with the machine, but just because of personal circumstances regarding my housing situation.

It looks like about the best thing you'll get at that price point. I haven't actually used the machine, but it's well reviewed.

I'll go ahead and tell you... you're gonna get some responses in this thread talking about the beds not being perfectly flat. Don't buy into this. It absolutely does not matter for the end product. if the cutter heads are flat (and they will be), it will produce a flat surface. I've used two jointers in my time. One was kind of the lower end of the 10" combo machine spectrum, and the other was a fifty or sixty year old beat up monster. Both produced flat boards, and having a slight dish to the infeed and outfeed tables was the least of their problems. I actually went into a retailer and put a high dollar square on the bed and, sure enough, there was a sliver of light shining under it in the middle of the outfeed table at one end, but, again, it does not matter. Some people are just super pedantic about machined flatness and it bothers them. If you're one of those people, you should consider a Hammer A3-31 machine. They're about $3-4000 MORE expensive with a helical cutter head though, so be prepared for that.

One person was talking about how the tables were not coplanar. This would be an issue, but seemed to be a one off with this machine. I haven't seen much about it anywhere else.

Good luck. I think it's probably a safe bet if you want the higher end of the hobby scale spectrum.
Cheers,
Luke

[Larks]

I almost bought it last year, but decided to wait, not because of anything wrong with the machine, but just because of personal circumstances regarding my housing situation.

It looks like about the best thing you'll get at that price point. I haven't actually used the machine, but it's well reviewed.

I'll go ahead and tell you... you're gonna get some responses in this thread talking about the beds not being perfectly flat. Don't buy into this. It absolutely does not matter for the end product. if the cutter heads are flat (and they will be), it will produce a flat surface. I've used two jointers in my time. One was kind of the lower end of the 10" combo machine spectrum, and the other was a fifty or sixty year old beat up monster. Both produced flat boards, and having a slight dish to the infeed and outfeed tables was the least of their problems. I actually went into a retailer and put a high dollar square on the bed and, sure enough, there was a sliver of light shining under it in the middle of the outfeed table at one end, but, again, it does not matter. Some people are just super pedantic about machined flatness and it bothers them. If you're one of those people, you should consider a Hammer A3-31 machine. They're about $3-4000 MORE expensive with a helical cutter head though, so be prepared for that.

One person was talking about how the tables were not coplanar. This would be an issue, but seemed to be a one off with this machine. I haven't seen much about it anywhere else.

Good luck. I think it's probably a safe bet if you want the higher end of the hobby scale spectrum.
Cheers,
Luke

thanks Luke, much appreciated

[Mr Brush]

What Luke said......:2tsup:

They've been around a while, and probably the best package you'll get for the $$$. JET factory QA is a bit hit and miss, so expect to spend a little time tweaking the tables for coplanar, etc. after it arrives. This is actually a good way to get to know your machine, what adjustments it has, how to perform routine maintenance, etc.

I'm sure if you stumped up for the equivalent Hammer machine it would more likely be spot on out of the crate (or the distributor would have someone out to your premises to fix any issues), but you pay for the privilege....

I believe that genuine, impossible to fix issues (e.g warped beds, warped fence) are few and far between on this JET machine, in which case punt it back to JET for replacement parts.

[Larks]

What Luke said......:2tsup:

They've been around a while, and probably the best package you'll get for the $$$. JET factory QA is a bit hit and miss, so expect to spend a little time tweaking the tables for coplanar, etc. after it arrives. This is actually a good way to get to know your machine, what adjustments it has, how to perform routine maintenance, etc.

I'm sure if you stumped up for the equivalent Hammer machine it would more likely be spot on out of the crate (or the distributor would have someone out to your premises to fix any issues), but you pay for the privilege....

I believe that genuine, impossible to fix issues (e.g warped beds, warped fence) are few and far between on this JET machine, in which case punt it back to JET for replacement parts.


Thanks Basil, it does sound like it's the best (only) option around that price with the HH - spiral cutter heads.

It's intended to be a lead in machine that I hope will last me for a good long time while I try to set up a small business from home, as I'm spending too much time away from home with the contracting work that I do. I'm also considering the Hammer and Felder machines and am hoping I might be able to see them all up at the Timber show in Brissy next week to compare them.

[Luke Maddux]

If you can afford the Hammer machine I think it may be worth considering. You're going to get considerably better customer service and support, I believe it has a more powerful motor, and it's just kind of better in every way. You've stepped up from hobby scale to professional/industrial scale with that machine, and if you're trying to set off on your own and make a go at a small business I doubt you would miss that 3-4k down the road.

I think it may require a 20amp plug FYI.

[Larks]

If you can afford the Hammer machine I think it may be worth considering. You're going to get considerably better customer service and support, I believe it has a more powerful motor, and it's just kind of better in every way. You've stepped up from hobby scale to professional/industrial scale with that machine, and if you're trying to set off on your own and make a go at a small business I doubt you would miss that 3-4k down the road.

I think it may require a 20amp plug FYI.

Thanks Luke, I'm certainly going to have a very good look at the Hammer as I've read the reviews and comments on here elsewhere and that had been my original target - just a bit shy about spending too much money at the moment. I do have 20A plugs in my shed ready for power tools, so all good there.

[Mr Brush]

I should add that I only have the standard cutterhead JPT310 (3-phase), which is now about 7 years old and has given no problems at all once set up. For keen hobbyist use JET will do the job just fine, although for tablesaws and bandsaws I'd go Laguna/Harvey in preference to JET these days. If you're looking to run a business, the Hammer/Felder might be worth the extra spend though.

A few years ago I seriously looked at upgrading my JPT-310 to the HH through buying a Shellix head. Given the cost, I eventually decided to get a JET Performax 16-32 drum sander instead for slightly less money. My rationale was that the helical head can handle most cranky timber without tearout, whereas the drum sander can handle absolutely anything (even burl....). The drum sander is also more convenient for working on really thin pieces (e.g. 2-3mm thick); I've done these on the JPT-310 with a sled with D/S tape to hold the work down, but the odd piece does explode and come flying back at you :oo:.

Given my time again I'd definitely have gone with the HH version of the JPT-310, but it didn't exist when I bought mine.

[Larks]

I should add that I only have the standard cutterhead JPT310 (3-phase), which is now about 7 years old and has given no problems at all once set up. For keen hobbyist use JET will do the job just fine, although for tablesaws and bandsaws I'd go Laguna/Harvey in preference to JET these days. If you're looking to run a business, the Hammer/Felder might be worth the extra spend though.

A few years ago I seriously looked at upgrading my JPT-310 to the HH through buying a Shellix head. Given the cost, I eventually decided to get a JET Performax 16-32 drum sander instead for slightly less money. My rationale was that the helical head can handle most cranky timber without tearout, whereas the drum sander can handle absolutely anything (even burl....). The drum sander is also more convenient for working on really thin pieces (e.g. 2-3mm thick); I've done these on the JPT-310 with a sled with D/S tape to hold the work down, but the odd piece does explode and come flying back at you :oo:.

Given my time again I'd definitely have gone with the HH version of the JPT-310, but it didn't exist when I bought mine.

Sadly I've become rather anti Laguna - (though not anti Gregory machinery I must add) - I bought a Laguna bandsaw and it just wasn't right, the frame was warped. Gregory Machinery replaced it but the replacement was just the same and, as I wanted this as my last bandsaw, I couldn't live with it so Gregmach took it back and fully refunded it. I just feel that the Laguna stuff that we get here (what I've seen anyway) is overpriced for the quality.

[Mehrdad]

Hi Larks,
I agree with you about Laguna I bought a 8" HH jointer from Gregory machinery with a Fusion T/S after waiting for some times with delay they arrived with some damaged on jointer box
when I unpack it find out the fence mechanism was broken and a dent on out feed table after few email and some phone calls they told me I have to wait for parts to come from Laguna than they will tell me how to change the parts my self
I asked are they going to charge me full price ($4000) after all this the answer was yes, I asked for replacement he said, so I asked for my money back than I bought Powermatic 8" jointer from Carba - Tec nice machine happy with it
So I am anti Laguna too and no deal with Gregory machinery few things I wanted to get bought them on line from Amazon cost me less and got them faster then Gregory
Regards
Mehrdad

[Geevesmac]

The Jet comes in at $4,200, and the Hammer, a superior machine in my view, is around $5,100, which would be suitable for a single user business workshop. Gregory Machinery sell a 300mm Woodman combo for $3,700, which appears to be a good machine. Maybe someone has one who can comment.
Let us know what you decide.
Greg

[Ghallahad]

The Jet HH is ~$4200, but the Hammer with their HH is more in the realms of $7-8000. Quite a large step up and very much for the professional full time woodworker.

I was looking at both the Jet HH and the Woodman HH at the end of last year. They were $4000 and $3700 respectively. I read absolutely everything about the Jet on forums, and there was indeed quite a bit of negativity. However you have to realise that people are far more likely to complain about something than praise it. There was a bit of info on the Woodman, not much though, however it was positive. I visited Carbatec to check out the Jet, and there was quite a bit of a wait on getting one. Trend Timbers happened to be having their Open Day, so I checked out the Woodman and spoke to the Greg Mach rep. I came to the conclusion that both machines are basically identical, and you could get a dud with either one. If you do then you deal with it via the appropriate channels. I ended up going with the Woodman and 6 months on haven't had a single issue. I am not someone that gets out a micrometer to check things to the 0.001mm. I just want the tables to be aligned and the fence to be at 90 degrees, and it does that.

[Larks]

The Jet comes in at $4,200, and the Hammer, a superior machine in my view, is around $5,100, which would be suitable for a single user business workshop. Gregory Machinery sell a 300mm Woodman combo for $3,700, which appears to be a good machine. Maybe someone has one who can comment.
Let us know what you decide.
Greg




The Jet HH is ~$4200, but the Hammer with their HH is more in the realms of $7-8000. Quite a large step up and very much for the professional full time woodworker.

I was looking at both the Jet HH and the Woodman HH at the end of last year. They were $4000 and $3700 respectively. I read absolutely everything about the Jet on forums, and there was indeed quite a bit of negativity. However you have to realise that people are far more likely to complain about something than praise it. There was a bit of info on the Woodman, not much though, however it was positive. I visited Carbatec to check out the Jet, and there was quite a bit of a wait on getting one. Trend Timbers happened to be having their Open Day, so I checked out the Woodman and spoke to the Greg Mach rep. I came to the conclusion that both machines are basically identical, and you could get a dud with either one. If you do then you deal with it via the appropriate channels. I ended up going with the Woodman and 6 months on haven't had a single issue. I am not someone that gets out a micrometer to check things to the 0.001mm. I just want the tables to be aligned and the fence to be at 90 degrees, and it does that.

Thanks Greg and Galahad. The quote that I've received for the Hammer is $6068.00 (though that's the 3ph and I need the single ph and I don't yet know the difference in price), either way it's at least $1.9k more than the Jet - which isn't insignificant in my world at the moment. Hence my being torn between the value of the Jet/Woodman and stepping up to the Hammer.

I went up to Carbatec in Brissy today and had a good look at the Jet and I was reasonably impressed and couldn't fault the one on the floor. Aluminium fence has two bracing points and seems solid, the beds were flat and square and I like the ease with which it changes between jointer and thicknesses. I hope to see the Hammer sometime over the next couple of days and will drop into GregMach and check out the Woodman at the same time.......

Edited to add: Just got the updated price on the single phase Hammer which is +$190.00, so takes it to $6259.50

[Larks]

Bugger - now I'm in a bit of a pickle: I've now been to see the Jet, The Woodman and the Hammer.

There's no doubt that the Hammer is the superior machine and that the Woodman and the Jet are essentially the same machine (albeit the Woodman seems to have better beds) and both are of quite a decent quality that'd no doubt do the job for me (for a while), they are certainly high end hobbyist rather than small business.

But with a price gap of $2564.50, with the Woodman at $3695 and the Hammer at $6259.50, that difference is just a bit too substantial to ignore (the cost of putting down another slab to increase my workspace).......then theres an issue of delivery - end of July for the Hammer, three weeks for the Woodman, plenty available for Carbatec.......so I'm in a pickle -

I'd certainly prefer the Hammer so that I am unlikely to ever need to replace it and if it really was just an extra $1k or even $1.5k I'd not hesitate,.......but but but.......

[Ghallahad]

That was basically my exact school of thought at the time of purchase. I would have LOVED the Hammer, and I may indeed buy one if I ever get to the stage of saving for one via selling furniture, but as an initial outlay it just wasn't justified. The $300 saving, immediate availability, and flat/smooth beds on the Woodman is what sold me.

[DomAU]

I have a Jet 310HH that I bought at the Melbourne woodworking show last year. For my hobby use I cannot fault it. For me it was between this and the Woodman and I preferred the finish on the Jet beds to the polished finish on the Woodman and that the Jet had a feed rate half the speed of the Woodman which should result in a nicer finish and for non-business use I was not fussed about the lower throughput (otherwise appeared basically identical) . I also picked it up for less than the woodman so it made the decision very easy for me.

In terms of performance the Jet is very quiet, my beds came very well aligned and flat, and the finish from the machine is superb (although I have no other experience) and leaves no marks, lines, tear-out etc. I even accidentally ran a 2mm pass on a blackbutt end-grain chopping board through the thicknesser and the machine handled it fine!

For me, I was initially looking at the smaller Jet in the straight blade so this was already a stretch for me, but I'm extremely glad I bought the larger machine and helical head. I've never regretted spending more on a tool so if you have the budget and believe the Hammer to be a superior machine then I would save myself any regret in the future and just cough up the cash for that machine. You definitely won't regret it in my opinion (although I have no experience with the Hammer, just experience with not buying the machine I really wanted first time around!).

Either way I'm sure you'll be happy! Enjoy!!!

[John Saxton]

I do have the Jet JPT-310HH and am more than happy with its performance.The tables did need some minor adjustment on delivery but have remained OK since then, which is now a few yrs down the track.Spent this afternoon surface planing some WA Sheoak ,still happy here with the helical cutters which have not been turned since I bought the machine all those yrs back the surface coming off these cutters still commendable in my view.
I am machining Jarrah ,Sheoak ,occassioanally some Blackwood & Palmwwod that I have on hand.
This is just my take from my experience and in no way should it influence you.
Sorry for coming in late here, I have been single minded of late in refurbishing my SMC Minimax Lab 30 machine back to the standard I wanted after taking it out of storage.
Cheers

[3 toed sloth]

I too went through this decision process. Some great comments so far. I ended up buying the Hammer and I don't regret it but I still can't believe I paid $6'000+ for a machine. A big factor for me was it had to be quiet as I live in suburbia and I always had a guilty feeling when I fired up the old screamer on the weekend.

It really was an extravagance for me as I'm only a hobbyist, but I guess like many here, I dream of doing more with it.....

Another consideration is the accessories with the Hammer. It has a very accurate gauge for depth of cut on the thicknesser, so you can dial in an exact thickness and you really can work in the area of tenths of a millimeter. So it's very handy if you have to re dimension a new board to match some done previously. (keep in mind these accessories all cost extra but can be purchased later) You can add extension tables to make the tables longer. The thing I have my eye on is the slot morticer attachment but I'm still weighing up what's the best morticing method/system to go with.

Anyway, try and enjoy the (nerve-wracking) process and good luck.

[Larks]

An update for anyone interested in the outcome:

In the end, as much as I tried to cough up for the Hammer and could readily see the value and superior quality of it, the cost was just that bit out of my budget at this stage while I'm between contracts (without another one in sight) and with a work space slab to put down, so I've settled for the Carbatec and am pretty happy with the deal that I was able to do with the guys in Brisbane.

Still ended up a few more $$ than the Woodman, but I'm happier with the feed rate on the Carbatec. I haven't yet had a chance to use it in anger but the beds are all nice and level and aligned and she looks pretty good to me.

Re the Woodman - anyone looking at one of these: I'm told to expect the price to go up on them with the upcoming delivery in a couple of weeks.

[3 toed sloth]

Great work Larks, now you can get on and enjoy using it. I assume you bought the helical head version?

[Larks]

Great work Larks, now you can get on and enjoy using it. I assume you bought the helical head version?

Yes, that was one of my main criteria when I was looking at them.

[Albert]

I too went through this decision process. Some great comments so far. I ended up buying the Hammer and I don't regret it but I still can't believe I paid $6'000+ for a machine. A big factor for me was it had to be quiet as I live in suburbia and I always had a guilty feeling when I fired up the old screamer on the weekend.

It really was an extravagance for me as I'm only a hobbyist, but I guess like many here, I dream of doing more with it.....

Anyway, try and enjoy the (nerve-wracking) process and good luck.

This is one of those post made me put down a deposit on a Felder AD951 with their silent power spiral cutter block.... I am still thinking if its too big for me, being 2400mm long and 900mm at its widest point, this is roughly 5% of my workshop area, its a monster.

I can still change my mind to a AD941 before August but for the sake of $3000, I think I will be happier with a AD951. it will probably endup as a local attraction lol you are all welcome to take a photo or two with it.

[3 toed sloth]

Thanks, Albert, I feel a bit better now:U

[micksandine]

I have had experience with the JPT combo machine with an add-on helical head in my shop for 3 or 4 years. Here is my assessment. The machine set up nicely and only had a little trouble getting the bed co-planar. It does a very nice job of cutting, however it may benefit to a lower feed speed for the helical head. I am using the sprockets set for the straight cutterhead. I have had trouble with the chain tensioner for the feed rollers. It is made of nylon and is located on the power side of the chain not the slack side. So it apparently acts more like a sprocket to get more bite onto the actual roller sprocket or maybe to reroute the chain around an electrical connection box. Either way it seems like a bad design that leads to the chain jumping a tooth every once and a while. I have replaced the nylon tensioner several times because it has been worn out. When thickness planing, you have to keep the bed waxed or it will lead to feed stalling. It is sensitive to the amount of downward adjustment pressure on the feed rollers. Too much and the friction on the bed becomes too great to feed consistently. I have discussed both of these with the company rep and technical person. They were pleasant but didn't seem too concerned with a tensioner design flaw (at least in my opinion).
I have thought of putting a tensioner sprocket on the slack side of the drive chain and relocating the electrical connection box to get a direct path to the drive wheel. Maybe someday I will do that if it keeps giving me problems.

[Albert]

Thanks, Albert, I feel a bit better now:U

you are welcome :U

when my AD951 is delivered I will post some pics... Sometime in November/December

[Bushie]

An update for anyone interested in the outcome:

In the end, as much as I tried to cough up for the Hammer and could readily see the value and superior quality of it, the cost was just that bit out of my budget at this stage while I'm between contracts (without another one in sight) and with a work space slab to put down, so I've settled for the Carbatec and am pretty happy with the deal that I was able to do with the guys in Brisbane.

Still ended up a few more $$ than the Woodman, but I'm happier with the feed rate on the Carbatec. I haven't yet had a chance to use it in anger but the beds are all nice and level and aligned and she looks pretty good to me.

Re the Woodman - anyone looking at one of these: I'm told to expect the price to go up on them with the upcoming delivery in a couple of weeks.


Hi Larks,
Could you tell me what price on the Woodman you were looking at?

Much the same position as most here ... would like a Hammer but can't justify the (comparative) cost, especially as a retired hobbyist woodworker, so it's the Jet, Carbatec, or the Woodman.

[Larks]

Hi Larks,
Could you tell me what price on the Woodman you were looking at?

Much the same position as most here ... would like a Hammer but can't justify the (comparative) cost, especially as a retired hobbyist woodworker, so it's the Jet, Carbatec, or the Woodman.

Sorry Bushi, probably too late now but I missed your post and I assume you've already found the answer, but from an earlier post:


with the Woodman at $3695 and the Hammer at $6259.50