Small-ish WW Jointer Recommendations?

[moparfreak]

Hello all,

I'm about fed up with my jointer. I've invested a lot of time into it, and at this point, it's more trouble than it's worth anymore....

It's a Masterforce 6" jointer w/ granite table and fence, and I bought it as a floor model from Menards as they were clearancing that product line out, got it for $200 which would have been a great deal if the damn thing worked properly.

Unfortunately, it's got 2 main issues w/ it:

1) During the course of us moving, one of the granite tables was dropped and shattered into two pieces. I tried to epoxy it back together, but the repair failed, and it's not pretty. I'm pretty sure if I wanted to bring this part back to life I'd have to go to a custom granite shop and have them take a scrap of granite and recut it to the same size / shape, which in its own right would probably cost a couple hundred bucks. Obviously I don't hold this against the machine as the damage was my fault. You can see where the crack is, just before the body of the machine ends, and it goes all the way through to the other side. The cracked off portion is now sagging at a 20deg angle or so, just about ready to fall off...

2) Even more concerning though, is the fact that the fence mechanism does not allow for it to be aligned 90 to the length of the jointer bed. At first I thought since it was a floor model and maybe assembled incorrectly, but I took the whole thing apart and put back together and it turns out one of the alignment guide slots in the body of the fence casting is several degrees off from square, which ends up getting magnified when trying to line up with a 60" or so bed. Unfortunately this jointer is basically impossible to get parts for. Menards no longer carries it, and it's actually a Steel City jointer rebranded. Well, Steel City Toolworks went out of business back in 2015. So, no help there. You can kind of see the off-kilter fence here:

In any case, I do want to have a good working jointer, as I like to work with rough lumber for small to medium size projects. I don't really have an interest in getting any of those really large heavy-duty ones that look like aircraft carriers. They are sweet for sure but with the layout of my shop I don't really have the width, length or height for something like that. I'd like it to live in the same spot as the current one, which slots just a bit underneath the extention wing of my tablesaw.

Does anyone have good recommendations for mid-size affordable jointers? Those true little benchtop ones I'd like to avoid, as I've run 12' stock through these before and a little 28"er I just don't think is good for that kind of work. I'd also consider one of the upgrade byrd shelix type spiral cutter heads as I've heard those are really amazing upgrades for a jointer. Any advice or thoughts?

 

[Alchymist]

Used 6" Grizzly - good one for couple hundred bucks. Paid $150 for mine, been in use for several years now with no problems, works fine.

 

[manwithtools]

Used Jet, Powermatic, Delta or Grizzly.... 6" or 8". They are all basically the same machine. Granite is a gimmick, real machine tools are made of cast iron - as you have found out.

Stay away from the box store brands when it comes to this type of machinery. Craigslist should help. I recently sold a 6" Jet in Very good condition for $375 to friend.

 

[cheechi]

gave up on finding a decent used one around here and settled for a new chinese Delta benchtop model. The fence took a bit of working to set the 90 stop, but it's square. I like it.

My planer has a granite plate in the bottom but that's not sticking out exposed anywhere. It's pretty nice and smooth, though I wouldn't pay extra for it.

 

[derosa]

Picked up a buffalo brand jointer for 100.00 off craigslist, basically an old delta rip-off made in taiwan, can't complain. Most modern jointers seem to have that same design of fence though I much prefer the older style on mine. I would look at Jet for new as the best all around value, something with a wide, heavy base that still won't take up more space would be oliver machines, they've got a new 6" with a wide base. Haven't always needed more stability but when trying to joint a 10" 2x6 oak board the roller stands aren't always enough, downside is that starts getting expensive. New jointers aren't cheap though from what I've found, 1k and up, so for now I'm strengthening the base of mine and adding a dust chute.

 

[tarbellb]

Buying new: Grizzly, Laguna, Powermatic, Jet, Delta are all about the same. Find the one that has the features and price you like. Personally I like Grizzly because they have stuck to the same formula - Built in Asia to the same specs (or better) then everybody else, advertise it proudly, sold at a lower price.

Buying used: Older is usually nice, look for parallel beds or easy adjust systems.

Things to consider- helix (Byrd brand or others), blade systems.

 

[moparfreak]

Yeah, I wouldn't go out of my way to go after the granite, it was just what they had that seemed like a good deal. It was OK....till it broke. And that was due to moving anyways.

The grizzly units do look good and solid, and probably the best value proposition for a new machine. I've started perusing CL but it's a niche type of machine, not a lot of postings. Trying to stay away from a full height large base version due to cost and also the space I have to put it.

 

[rossddvm]

I think if you check some granite stores they will cut scrap to fit that much cheaper than the couple hundred bucks you estimate. It may be worth fixing what you have if the broken granite is the biggest issue.

 

[EOC_Jason]

You could go granite again, or maybe have a place water-jet you a piece of out steel if it wouldn't mess up the geometry of the blade depth and such...

Honestly, there are always good jointers on CraigsList and at Estate Sales for very reasonable prices. I got a little 4" Craftsman mounted on a home-made table for $30. One day I hope to find an 8" with a longer table...

 

[Voi]

I've started perusing CL but it's a niche type of machine, not a lot of postings. Trying to stay away from a full height large base version due to cost and also the space I have to put it.

If space is an issue you could consider not having a jointer and making a planer sled for face jointing. There are some neat designs on YouTube.

However, in your first post you mentioned jointing 12' boards. I've never jointed a 12' board on a planer with sled and don't recall ever seeing a sled built to handle boards that long.

People have also made sleds for edge jointing with a planer but I've never built one. I had some ideas for one but never tried it.

 

[moparfreak]

yeah, I did some big doug fir timbers and used the jointer to help square them up for rustic looking floating shelves in the family room. Even that 60" table was a bit tough, but w/ two people we managed on it.

I could get a new piece of granite but the fence mechanism is machined incorrectly and was never square in the first place or capable of square, so that's a fatal flaw IMO. And with the company out of business really there's no way of finding replacement parts.

I've got plans for a couple tables in the next 2-3 yrs so it's an important tool to have as part of that process. I've seen some people also have a Rigid unit that was sold at HD awhile ago, not sure if it still is, that looked like another good mid-level option.

 

[brianh]

I hardly ever use a jointer, a straight edge and a good properly set up table saw works fine for glue ups. Been doing it this way for over 30 years and many pieces of furniture.

 

[jimreed2160]

Yeah. Granite is great until it breaks.

I'll bet you could replace the granite with scraps from the granite place. As for the fence, that seems easy also. The quick fix would be to hot glue a wedged board to the fence and then adjust it.

But that is probably too much tinkering if you have projects in mind. Anyway, sounds like it has already paid for itself in projects. Sell it at a deep discount and put that money toward a new Griz or Delta.

 

[Voi]

As for the fence, that seems easy also. The quick fix would be to hot glue a wedged board to the fence and then adjust it.

This is a good point. If the OP can get the fence working adequately he could then use the motor and blade assembly as a base for building a jointer with the capacity he needs.

I have seen examples of shop built jointer extensions and believe there are aftermarket products now.

The downside to buying a "small-ish" jointer is that it's still going to be inadequate for some of the OP's needs, like jointing long beams. Since even a new jointer would work better with table extensions OP might be best off trying to work with what he has.