Thread: Jointers: Longer vs Wider

Derek,

I have CT's 8" long bed buzzer and their 15" thicknesser. To date I can't fault them. They have performed everything I done with them.

I've put nearly full width Jarrah boards through the thicknesser to which it handled with ease.

I thought about the unders and overs and decided against as I didn't want the changing over hastle how ever minor it may be.

But in the end its the individuals choice.

Hi Rod

Thanks for the reply.

It is not the ability to put full width boards through a thicknesser that is the issue - it is all about being able to do this with a jointer.

Do you ever wish that your 8" jointer were wider?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi Rod

Do you ever wish that your 8" jointer were wider?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek, I was going to do a fairly long pro Vs cons but really, after reading that the 12" is a prime criterion, I reckon the Woodfast meets your need better than the others.

I use an 8" Leda jointer that has been very useful. I've not needed 12", but have on the thicknesser (after laminating already prepared timber). What I would like to do is eventually replace or supplement my thicknesser with a 15" HD model. The DeWalt unit screams like a banshee and I'd dearly love to do the job more quietly (I can hear clapping from the neighbours).

The length of the bed is less of an issue than the width, but 700mm shorter seems a lot. Hinz is correct, I have found that getting the jointer tuned correctly is the primary goal, then the width, then length.

Your other option is in second hand 12" stuff. Usually long, heavy aircraft carrier types that turn up on occasion but also normally 3ph machines.

I've the same set-up as Rod has and am very happy with what they do but if I had the option to go for a wider Jointer I would take it, hasn't been very often but a 10" or 12" jointer would have been very handy at times.

Well I went across to Carba-tec at lunch to have a closer look at the Woodfast. I ended up very disappointed in the build quality. Too much mild steel and plastic. This machine won't last more than a couple of years.

So, unless I can find another wide option, my thoughts return to the Carba-tec 8" jointer. A solid and dependable construction.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hammer make a quality unit, A3-31; it can joint 310mm and has a 1400mm bed length (but they cost!).

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Well I went across to Carba-tec at lunch to have a closer look at the Woodfast. I ended up very disappointed in the build quality. Too much mild steel and plastic. This machine won't last more than a couple of years.

So, unless I can find another wide option, my thoughts return to the Carba-tec 8" jointer. A solid and dependable construction.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have just bought the Woodfast and the only plastic I could find was the stop/start buttons and the bag the instructions came in. There is a 2mm sheet metal frame but that is sturdy and all the main surfaces are cast iron. Weighing in at 175kgs it is pretty solid. I as yet have not run it yet(still have to install a 15amp GPO), I was disappointed with the power connection as it seems they have cut off the original connection (plug and socket) and slapped a 15A plug on the end and hung it through the hole in the carcass.( This was probably done to comply with Australian regulations)
I went and got a Flush Inlet Socket and mounted that in the hole that was there and will use a 15 amp extension cord as the Woodfast is mobile




Derek if I was in your position I would keep the thicknesser and get the 8" jointer

Regards

Warrick

I think there's no such thing as a jointer that's wide enough.

They always seem to be an inch or so too narrow for the task in hand.

I have an el cheapo thicknesser (12") and a six inch Jet jointer. I once had a sled for the thicknesser and will make another one if I seriously need to flatten 6-12" wide bits, such as when I'm building a laminated bench or table top. Last time I flattened it in three pieces and finished by hand.

I do have the Jet Combo on my wish list (very unlikely to purchase).

Before buying, check the ease of setting up the blades. I've found an astonishing difference between some of the better brands and the el-cheapos, even though the systems are ostensibly identical.

Cheers,

P

What the biting one said, they're never wide enough (jointers or thicknessers). I currently have an old industrial woodfast 10" jointer and a taiwanese 15" thicknesser. Mostly I get by but if I I was setting up again I'd hunt for wider machines. If width is your main concern it's pretty simple, buy the widest machine you can afford.

Having long tables is great but technique is important also. Sometimes when jointing a heap of timber I've taken a stone to the knives in-situ. This has noticeably thrown out the adjustment but I can correct it by varying the pressure and the timing of the pressure changes. I find it better for the work flow to do this rather than change the knives or the table adjustments.

Mick

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Well I went across to Carba-tec at lunch to have a closer look at the Woodfast. I ended up very disappointed in the build quality. Too much mild steel and plastic. This machine won't last more than a couple of years.

So, unless I can find another wide option, my thoughts return to the Carba-tec 8" jointer. A solid and dependable construction.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek,

I empathise with this major equipment purchase dilemma. As a supreme procrastinator I did this same exercise a few years ago and did a lot of research, written and user opinions, a LOT of research, over two years.

Some key findings, (for me) that might be helpful.

Like Groggy said, by far, (country mile) the most important aspect in achieving a good result on any machine or combination is set up and then technique.

The next important factor I reckon is machine build, quality and longevity. I like good solid cast iron. Why? Well as one bloke said to me, 'If once you accidently drop an 8x3 jarrah on an ally or cheap build infeed table that could be the end of that machine'.

Size. Is size important? Well as BM said, hell yes. However, to get a couple more inches in width is usually a huge jump in price. So size is a trade off with what the finances can tolerate. Best advise I got was to be realistic in determining your expected work, timber sizes. If it is mostly up to 8 inch and the odd 10 or 12, maybe once a year then buy the best, (last your lifetime) 8 inch jointer machine you can afford and once a year buy a bottle of wine or carton of beer and ask one of the Perth forumites with a big machine to run the couple of 12 inch boards through. Unless a quality 12 inch machine is within budget I would go with an 8.

If your 12 inch thicknesser is capable of handling your intended timber then I reckon the biggest quality jointer is what I would be looking at. A lot of people I spoke to, (and owner reviews) said that the 8 inch long bed, old Delta or the Carba-tec version was superb, very capable and more than adequate for most work.

However, if 12 inches is what you really need, (you have lots of 8 to 12 inch wide timber to process and are likely to continue working with these wider sizes) then a wide stand alone jointer is what I would go for but this might mean a lot more pennies to save.

Second-hand large jointers? Well, I spent a lot of time looking and going to auctions, (over two years, taking time off work and losing a day's pay to do it). If I had stayed at work I probably could have bought a new machine. Not an option I would do again, chasing auction that is. Some people get great bargains at auctions though.

While I advocate 'fit for purpose' equipment / tool purchases I have generally been disapointed when I have bought the cheaper, lower quality tool, hand or power. So determining what you want from the equipment is paramount. Need a 'one off' job tool buy the cheapie, smart move. Need a tough, use every weekend for ever tool, buy quality, the biggest the wallet will support.

An 8 inch quality long bed jointer is looking good, 10 inch would be better but will you get the value from that extra lump of cash, ($1000 to $2000 at a guess)?

Not sure if I have answered your specific questions but hope that something of my experiences has been helpful in some way.

All the best in your search. Let us know what outcome you go with.

Cheers
Pops

Hi Perry

Many thanks for the time taken to respond. And, yes, you have helped confirm my (our) thoughts here.

Wider is definitely better BUT it is significantly more expensive. The saying "law of deminishing returns" applies in that, beyond a certain width one tends to use the capacity less and less, and so you are paying big $$$$ for those extra inches. It comes down to what width rough sawn you use most frequently.

I would still love a wide jointer, but where to get one and what will it cost? The Woodfast is a nice comfortable size - a tad longer would be better - but the build quality is not what I seek. This machine will suit some really wonderfully, just not me. It is not the same machine as the Jet - both ends of the Jet top comes off, while only one end of the Woodfast does. This makes it less easy to use. Both have box aluminium fences. The Jet is more substantial while the Woodfast is a better design here. No doubt they were built this way for lightness (when lifting) however I am wary of aluminium in this area and would prefer a cast iron fence. There are just too many fiddly bits on the Woodfast that are either light alloy or plastic, and these are sure to break. I think the machine is a good one for light use and, while I am a hobbiest too, I look at machines for the longer term.

So what are the alternatives (within this price range)? Auctions? Not realistic - for me to take time off work is too costly. There are few, if any, shops in Perth with quality second hand industrial machines for sale. It always seems that nil is available when you want to buy something, but there is a surfit of items when you want to sell

It is looking more and more that the Carbatec 8" is going to be the one to get.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,
when we spoke at the show, I was surprised that you looked at the woodfast, but did not wish to dampen your spirit. I still do not know much about the quality of the woodfast except that it is not the same as the old woodfast machines (like the one that Mick has).
I can however vouch for the CT 8" jointer. I have had mine for just over 3 years and have obtained excellent results. I push a lot of euro beech thru it.
It is also $100 cheaper than what I paid (weaker AUD then). The original knives will not last too long. They are best replaced with 18% tugsten knives. If you do get to that stage, let me know. I will give some pointers regarding setup and the knives.
The current 8" model also has built in wheels which my one does not have. Wish mine had them.
Regards
Les

Warwick

I was interested to read that the Woodfast jointer/thicknesser you bought is mobile. Do you mean that it has an integral mobile base, or did you add one?

The reason I ask is that I have one on order from Carbatec in Brisbane, and the one that they had on display before I placed my order did not have its own base. Carbatec can't give me much information about the ones that are supposed to be arriving soon, but it would sure save me some hassle if it comes with an integral mobile base like the new Carbatec machines do.

Thanks
Ron