Thoughts on small (benchtop) jointers?

[Pearo]

I would like to add a small jointer to the collection of tools in my tool trailer. I already have a benchtop thicknesser which is fantastic for matching old timber sizes when renovating old Queenslanders. A jointer would save me having to trot of home when making things such as mantles, picture shelves and repairing old built in cabinets.

Does anyone own or use those small benchtop jointers? Are they any good? Worth the money?

[havabeer69]

i don't think many people speak highly of them due to the restrictive nature of the timber length you can actually put through them. Most are also fairly flimsy in construction as well as they dont need to be super rigid due to the smaller sized timber you're meant to be pushing through it.

[Chief Tiff]

I guess it really boils down to how accurate do you need it to be?

Many years ago I used to use an Elu power planer with an Elu jointer/thicknesser jig (ADE 80); these were high quality tools at the time and they performed remarkably well. Only issue was when in thicknesser mode some snipe was unavoidable. I used it to joint boards up to 4’ long and an inch thick finishing off with a jack plane to remove the scallops left by the cutter head. It was good enough for carpentry and would lend itself to joinery if used with care.

At the time I would have killed for a real jointer, and comfortably maimed for a benchtop model. The 6” Carbatax model with the segmented “let’s call it a spiral” head may suit your purpose.

[GraemeCook]

... Many years ago I used to use an Elu power planer with an Elu jointer/thicknesser jig (ADE 80); these were high quality tools at the time and they performed remarkably well. ...

I agree with CT's comments.

Back in the 1980's when I lived in the States I had a similar set up to Chief Tiff, but not so far up market. I had a Sears Craftsman electric planer with an extension plate. It was good for jointing pieces up to 600mm long, but hopeless for anything over 1 metre.

Now, for stuff up to about 1200mm a sled in the thicknesser works just as well. For longer lengths, neither is very good.

[MTmyles]

Hi Pearo, I've been setting up a woodworking shop for myself in a small workshop in my backyard.
I purchased the Carbatec JN-BX200P as I don't have enough floor space for larger machines.

On shorter lengths, I clamp it to a folding bench/vice and connect it to my dust collector. Works a treat. The total bed length with the outfeed arms extended is 1,295mm.

The fence is relatively easy to set up, and I've found that I don't have to go back to adjust even after heavy use.
The table and the outfeed arms are adjustable (mine was spot on straight out of the box).

For longer lengths, you can mount it to a portable drop saw stand and adjust the support arms as additional infeed/outfeed supports. I have handled timber way longer than the machine should have this way (also used a roller stand when I was milling longer lengths for my workshop bench.

I am happy with the machine and it has transformed a lot of free timber that I get into usable pieces.

[lemerv]

I've got the Carbatec 200mm jointer and I like it. I have no past experience to draw from and I haven't used it a whole lot yet. I initially only had a thicknesser and was using a sled with shims to "joint" old timber. It didn't work very well. Now I'm using the same old timber but on the jointer and it is like night and day! I'm getting <1mm gap across the length of a 1000mm edge, which is fine for me (and to be fair is probably partly due to my inexperience on how to properly use the tool).

I'm already close to paying it back by being able to dress old hardwood I got for free. So worth it for me.