Jumping up to an 8" jointer is a big step, size, weight and money-wise. I'd LOVE one, but can't afford it, size-wise, weight-wise or money-wise.

I do have an old Rockwell/Delta cast iron 4" jointer gifted to me by my grandfather that is only suited for small projects under 3' in length and narrower than the 4" capacity. It's extremely handy for projects of smaller scale so for larger boards, I've either gone with a planer sled with shims under the high areas or I've used a router sled. They are both a bit of a pain to use, but there is a tremendous amount of youtube videos and magazine articles devoted to getting around not having a wide jointer at your disposal.

I don't have any experience about the particular jointer you mentioned, but I do know that running long boards over short jointer wings often leads to boards that aren't nearly flat along the entire edge. When I first got the tool, I messed up quite a bit of lumber chasing flatness, especially when there is a bow along the length of the board and it isn't supported.

Hope my comments are helpful.

 

i started with a table top model years ago but quickly realized it was not going to do what i needed,it was just too short to handle long boards.i do a lot of furniture but if you mostly do short pieces under 4' it might be fine.a 6" jointer might work it's what ive got now and it does the job but id like to upgrade to a 8".

 

Dive into a 6" model. You will quickly outgrow the desktop model unless all you do is small boxes, birdhouses and the like. The 6" models can be found cheaply on Craigslist. I got one and thought I would move to an 8" soon after. seven years later, still have the 6". My dream is to find an old 12" jointer, but we will see. I'm in no hurry.

 

I have a Cutech 8" bench top model-probably this now https://www.wahudatools.com/product-p/50180cc-whd.htm
Its what I could fit in my small shop.If you can make a full size standing jointer fit I would do so. I like mine but it is limiting.

 

Are you doing bench top size or full size projects? That will decide what jointer you need. A micro jointer may work if you only plan to build cutting boards and boxes. It sure won't joint a 6-8' long board without significant struggles.

I say get a full sized 8" jointer. Cry once and let your woodworking capabilities expand as needed. I wouldn't limit myself to only small projects only.

 

The Wahuda has less than half the cutterheads of a typical stationary Jointer like any of the Grizzly models. It is only a 2" cylinder and in my opinion under powered. I wouldn't buy a benchtop jointer for myself but you may be completely happy with it. If you can swing it I'd look the G0656X as the 8" spiral cutterhead entry point but the G0490X would be my likely choice if I were buying an 8". I personally have a 12" Grizzly G0690X which is now discontinued. Just buy the biggest jointer you can afford now or save up and wait a little longer to get what you really want.

 

My advice, go with 8" jointer, new or used. Can't do better than Grizzly for the money. Nothing wrong with straight knives. Love my Shopfox equivalent of the 8" Grizzly. Don't mind sharpening/setting knives. In fact I enjoy it. Recently jointed a lot of Birdseye maple with no tear out.

 

I would think you are asking the wrong question maybe. Asking does anyone have a Cutech jointer near (your zip code, or area) Go look at one in action, and see if it will do what you want done.

If you buy based on what others think, and ends up you don't think the same, I do know one truth here. Table top tools DO NOT hold their value worth a darn, so you are gonna take an expensive bath if it turns out you want to flip it to buy a full size, which does hold value better, brand name not important.

 

I have a craftsman bench top jointer and it is very limiting. If I did it over again I would go bigger and I'm tight on space but would still go bigger.

 

I have a benchtop 6". Its ok. But when I need wider even a 8 isn't wide enough. Because when I need bigger I am using like 10 or 12" wide boards. So i guess it really depends on what you are going to make the most.

 

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the thoughtful and detailed responses. I think I'm going to do a bit of re-organizing in my shop and see if I can fit a full-size 8" jointer. It sounds like I'll probably regret purchasing a bench-top model unless dictated by a space limitation and a full-size model will be worth the money in the long run.

 

Don't rule out a nice used jointer. I paid $650 or my 3hp, 8" Grizzly G0490 parallelogram jointer a year ago and it has been an awesome addition to my shop, receiving much more use than I originally anticipated.

 

++1 on used machines, especially for the hobby type shop like me. I rarely buy new. You can not be in a hurry, but must be ready to buy immediately when found.

 

Get a floor standing unit, even if you can only afford a 6". The added mass and size make a huge difference,

 

I found my 8in Grizzly G0593 on Craig's List years ago. I got lucky and found it just an hour away from home. You never know, until you at least search for used equipment in your home turf/area.

 

If space is a premium like it is for me. You might consider looking at that Jet 12" combo joiner/planer. It's been a game changer for me. I roll it out to use it and roll it back to park it out of the way.

 

for small projects the small table top is great, but once you start joint boards thirty inches or longer, your better off with a the longer bed, even if only if it's only a 6" jointer. I do use a Grizzly G1531 6"x80" edge belt sanders for a lot of jointing, a nice multi function machine (sanding, squaring edges and jointing).

Grizzly G0813, 6×48 is $625 plus shipping. if your jointing boards over 5', then I like the 70" or longer beds.

 

Like most machinery bigger is better. Imho get the biggest jointer you can fit / afford.

Used is your friend. My 16" jointer was less than the cost of a new 8" spiral head grizzly jointer.

 

Got a jet 6" model with the spiral cutter heads. Would like an 8"model but can't quite justify it yet.