Woodworkers: Which 6" Jointer to Keep?

[pauls_workshop]

Question for the woodworkers. Didn't intend to, but I managed to acquire two different 6" jointers in the last year. I can only keep one and need to sell one of them. Which to keep and which to sell and why?

I have a "Cleveland Industrial" Taiwan made clone of the Rockwell (now Delta) 37-220 jointer, with open cabinet. "Cleveland Industrial" was not apparently a real company and has nothing to do with any "real" cleveland company, but what the clone had slapped on its label. It was from about 1983 or so. Has a 3/4 hp motor and generally in good condition. 6" size. Has a long fence on it, about the same as jointer number 2 below... Runs at about 5000 rpm. Has a little slight surface rust, but some wd-40 is now covering it well. This is one heavy machine, all cast iron. I can't add a photo of it at the moment as it is buried in my garage! It is very much like the real 37-220 here but with a more flimsy open cabinet on it:

http://www.normanmachinetool.com/us...d=WOODWORKING_EQUIPMENT_ROCKWELL/DELTA_37-220

Also now have a newer Jet JJ-6OS. A picture of it is here:

http://www.gotgreattools.com/jet-jj...jointer-1ph-two-way-tilting-fence-708455.html

This sold in the $375ish range in the early 2000's at Lowes and similar places. It is similar 6" size, same 3/4 motor size, 4850 rpm, in very good shape without any rust or issues. Also made in Taiwan. The Jet is 46" bed size vs 48" on the delta clone, almost the same. This is a similarly heavy machine, a little lighter than the delta clone. Basically, a bottom of the line Jet offering as best I can tell.

I don't have a means yet to measure/inspect fully the details of the bed/rails in terms of precision. Assuming both were of similar and good precision, which jointer to keep and why? Which to part with? The Jet is newer and parts are available for it. The one I have had little use and was used by a construction firm (not really that much need for construction guys to joint/plane wood). The older delta clone has lots of total use but spread out a little over many years but no issues. A farmer had it but only used it occasionally who I bought it from. I got that one first, then ran across the jet recently and couldn't pass it up for the price. What is a fair value for each, in very good used condition for the mid-west (indiana)?

Just for comparisons, here is a rather uncannily similar thread where another asked some similar questions to mine:

http://www.woodworking.com/forum/showthread.php?10920-Old-Vs-New-A-question-on-Jointers

And here is (on the whole internet) all I could find about the delta clone jointer:

http://www.engineeredbyme.com/projects/6-jointer-upgrade.aspx

Thx all for your opinions on this one! - Paul

 

[zkling]

Can you post a photo of the "Cleveland Industrial"? Even though it may LOOK like one of the older Delta/Rockwell long bed deluxe 6" jointers, I guarantee it is a completely different machine. Through and through.

Just like the iconic delta 14" bandsaw. MANY a companies have tried to copy them over the years. None of them really succeeded IMHO. As much as I love the style of the delta 6" delux machines, especially if they are on a CI base, the fence leaves alot to be desired. Thus unless the knockoff machine you have has a different style fence, I would go with the jet. Sadly the resell value of the off brand jointer is not going to be very great.

For what it is worth. I have an older atlas 6001 6" jointer. It doesn't look as cool as the delta, but the fence is much better in overall adjust ability. I once had the opportunity to purchase a delta 6" great condition on a CI base. Beautiful machine, but not exactly super cheap. I decided in the end that I really wouldn't be gaining anything performance wise by going from the atlas 6" to the delta 6". Now if I could find an older delta or powermatic 8" at a really good price.... Then I may be tempted to upgrade.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Can you post a photo of the "Cleveland Industrial"? Even though it may LOOK like one of the older Delta/Rockwell long bed deluxe 6" jointers, I guarantee it is a completely different machine. Through and through.

Just like the iconic delta 14" bandsaw. MANY a companies have tried to copy them over the years. None of them really succeeded IMHO. As much as I love the style of the delta 6" delux machines, especially if they are on a CI base, the fence leaves alot to be desired. Thus unless the knockoff machine you have has a different style fence, I would go with the jet. Sadly the resell value of the off brand jointer is not going to be very great.

Hi ZK, I can't get a photo of it now - buried too deeply in the garage. It looks alot like the link I gave, but the fence is a little different as you suggested, has a little different appearance and a slight taper to it (not same height of fence from front to rear of jointer bed). Agreed, Rockwell or Delta clones are not the same thing - no questions about that! It is what it is.

I'm getting close to setting up my first real woodshop in my basement, but not there just yet. Got these (and other tools) in anticipation of that upcoming event in coming months. I got both of these jointers at very good prices, so I'm not going to lose anything selling either one of them. Need to know which is the one to keep though and which to sell and about what fair price is. It is the perennial comparison: Old and tried/true design but more use on it vs. newer but perhaps not as good or as "classic" a design choice. Which is better and why? I had no plans to ever part with the clone, and thought I would use it another 20 years or so, but now came along the Jet...

Also, I thought I once needed or wanted an 8" jointer also, but then I found out about methods to use a 6" to joint/plane up to a 12" board! Can be done by removing the guard and making a new guard and running it both ways. Then planing both sides on the planer. Then jointing/squaring the edge after that. Close enough to work just fine. So a 6" I think is all I will ever need after all. - Paul

 

[Givl Reggin]

If one of them has a parallelogram design-that's the one to keep. Also keep in mind you may want to replace the knives with a helical cutterhead, so if one of them has that option available it may help narrow down the decision.

 

[mbatarga]

I doubt either of those are parallelogram designs.

I'd opt for the Jet - as parts would likely be more readily available.

Oh - I own an older model 6" Jet jointer.

 

[woody 73]

My two cents (hope my voice still counts);

when I look at buying used machines, I look more for getting parts the easy way; ie. calling the company and ordering new parts. Now with Jet you can do that.

Not saying you can not call a company on the other machine, but it makes it a whole lot easier if you can, plus down-loading some kind of manual makes it even easier.

There are always exceptions to the above rule, such as the case of buying some great old cast iron machines and either having the parts made by hand, which can set some people back, or by some luck walking into a parts store and praying that they have some parts that just might match up like bearings for example.

Go with what will make you happy, but keep the above in the back of your mind.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[pauls_workshop]

My two cents (hope my voice still counts);

when I look at buying used machines, I look more for getting parts the easy way; ie. calling the company and ordering new parts. Now with Jet you can do that.

Not saying you can not call a company on the other machine, but it makes it a whole lot easier if you can, plus down-loading some kind of manual makes it even easier.

There are always exceptions to the above rule, such as the case of buying some great old cast iron machines and either having the parts made by hand, which can set some people back, or by some luck walking into a parts store and praying that they have some parts that just might match up like bearings for example.

Go with what will make you happy, but keep the above in the back of your mind.

Hope that helps you out.

Thanks all and Woody: Woody, your voice counts with me!

Well, the clone definitely has no company to call for parts - never did actually! But knives are readily available for it. Any motor could go with it that could go on the delta, so short of reparing something in the motor, which I probably would never need or want to do, pretty much as serviceable as the jet practically speaking.

I have to look up what a parallelogram style fence is. This has a taper (fence is like a big triangle more than rectangle). A little odd that way.

Some have complained the Jet fence isn't that accurate too -so could hear from those Jet users on just how good the Jet really is? What are all the flaws in the Jets? There must be some. Also "going with what makes me happy" is great advice! But I don't know what will make me happy with either one! The only jointers I've used were giant monster old Rockwell machines that weighed about 1000 pounds or more, had infinite power, no vibrations, and likely would have survived nuclear attack, from way back in high school shop days of yesteryear. Neither of these are like that, but the clone would be the closer of the two to that "ideal".

- Paul

 

[woody 73]

You don't ever want a machine if the fence is not accurate it makes things very difficult. Wish I could tell you more about the Jet but I own an 8" Powermatic and still I wish it weighed more like your old high school shop machine.

 

[pauls_workshop]

You don't ever want a machine if the fence is not accurate it makes things very difficult. Wish I could tell you more about the Jet but I own an 8" Powermatic and still I wish it weighed more like your old high school shop machine.

Ha ha. Well, Powermatics are very nice. I don't know that you really want my old 80's high school shop machine! Or me either, but do want something good and to make the right choice.

As far as I know, either machine is accurate with good fences. Perhaps I have to do some verifications before making any conclusive decision. but not sure how to precisely measure such things other than a simple square. Would like to see what Jet liablilities may exist though. Anyone have any issues with their Jet jointers? - Paul