Thread: Jointer Recommendations

Originally Posted by Damienol

Ffffffffff, probably not. Thanks for the suggestion.

Very wise

Originally Posted by Ilya

They don't have prices on the web page, I am on their email subscription list. The price list (after their price rise) for July is here: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/6dfd015..._July_2013.pdf

Thanks for the Ilya

$3000+ is way out of my price range. Must be a nice jointer!!!

HI WWF,


So given some of the feedback above I have now also included the Carbatec long bed. Given the $20 price difference between the Jet and this jointer my initial reaction was to rule it out immediately. However given the Carbatec model comes with a 5 year warranty and a mobile base this is worth a few $$$'s to me.


I still feel like we should have more options in Aus then just these few brands!!!!


Within the attached spreadsheet I have also included a rough schematic of my mancave extension that I am building to accommodate the jointer. This provides a better indication of the space challenges I have and now that I have the floor down I am able to provide accurate measurements. If you are in interested in my mancave extension you can follow me on this thread - https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/ma...search-176948/


Unless I can find a mobile base that works well from side to side as well as back and forth then I think I am very much restricted to a 1300mm bed as this is the distance between the two post the jointer will be stored between under the stairs. Based on current data this just leaves the Carbatec CTJ-196 and the Hafo PT-6. However given the height restriction I have at the far right of the stairs of only 970mm it appears the Hafco is the only model that will fit, Unless I can mount the stop switch on the Carbatec on the left hand side of the jointer. Can anyone who owns one of these confirm if this is an option?

If you go for anything less that an 8" longbed with a helical cutter head then you moss well stick to using a hand plane.

Originally Posted by rod1949

If you go for anything less that an 8" longbed with a helical cutter head then you moss well stick to using a hand plane.

Interesting to see if WWF aggree with your purest view and whether any practicality can be brought back into the thread.

If you are on a limit for space and money I would go for a 6" Jointer. I purchase a 6" Jointer many many years ago and do use it on occasion. I would prefer to have purchased the long bed version but as I was not familiar with the use of Jointers I went for the 6" version. These days I would purchase the 8" with the spiral cutter head. But even thou I say I would purchase I would still think long and hard to justifying the expense of the price difference.

We are all different, and put our machines to different uses.

When I started out I bought a German combo jointer/thicknesser on wheels. I knew nothing about these machines ... the guy at Trade tools recommended it for space saving and performance reasons.

I got lucky. The bed is shortish, but I get by just fine with that. The beds are adjustable, so everything is true. The big benefit, that I would not have thought of at the time, is that I can put 260mm wide timbers over the jointer and through the thicknesser. Most of my work is furniture, and being able to plane wide pieces has been a real boon. But there are others who are happy with their 6 inch jointers ... different strokes ...

For my purposes, the wide cutters more than compensate for the shortish bed length.

Here is a machine like mine.

Elektra Beckum Planer / Thicknesser | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Sutherland Area - Bonnet Bay | 1029410976

The bed length is only 1,100 mm, but I am fine with that. I use a shop made outfeed rest for very long pieces. The outfeed bed comes off when converted to a thicknesser, so it is a neat small package that stows away easily (important in my shop).

It can plane/thickness 260 mm wide boards. However, when you put a board on edge through the thicknesser, the max depth is 160 mm. This has not been a problem, as I joint one edge and cut the other to size on the table saw, which gives a clean enough cut to be able to edge glue this cut.

I know you have a thicknesser, but it might be worth thinking about a machine like this if you like the idea of planing wider boards with a compact machine.

Carbatec have a fantastic deal on the Jet 8". Looks to be the pick of the bunch. A little outside my budget but given the extra capacity worth the stretch.

any opinions out there ?

Originally Posted by Damienol

Carbatec have a fantastic deal on the Jet 8". Looks to be the pick of the bunch. A little outside my budget but given the extra capacity worth the stretch.

any opinions out there ?

I was excited by this deal too, except the Perth store wont go that cheap due to the cost of getting them across the country. oh well

Hopefully youre over east and can get it. My wifes uncle has this jointer that we used to make my table and i think its great

Anyone else got any views on this Jointer?

Due to the lack of responses I am starting to think a jointer is not something woodworkers own or need!!!!

A lack of responses! A 28 post thread constitutes accute interest on this board.

there have been plenty of really good options. I think the length/price/mobility thing restricts things a bit.

Ilya has a good 6" jointer long bed for sale. Contact him and see how you can get it up to you. A second hand machine is always a great option and I can vouch for him, he looks after his gear.

As I posted before, there is always some mythical machine-nirvana, but it seems really obvious to me to get at least one, play with it and learn its ideocyncracies. Upgrade it to a helical head and you have a beastly machine at very low cost.

If after a few projects you are restricted, go for a wider machine, or a combo, which always seem to be wider. But, my wisdom would be to find that limit before spending the dosh.

Just buy a good 6" second hand, and if it's inadequate, sell it for the same price you bought it for. No loss other than time.

Given the recent threads about the (in)ability of Jet to grind their tables flat I'd be avoiding them.