[BrentNichols]

I'm having trouble deciding between the jet or powermatic 8" helix head jointer. I recently owned the powermatic 8" knife jointer and had to sell all tools during a divorce. I'm in process of getting back all equipment and ready for this next purchase. I bought a PM2000 tablesaw recently and would kinda like to stay with the jet/powermatic brand due to recent experiences in the past. The jet is on sale right now but do not want to rush and jump on purchase then regret not waiting on the sale of the other or saving up a little more for the pm. But if the jet will end up comparing then I would like to take advantage of sale and get now. Any help suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[wapakfred]

The Jet 8" jointer hasn't changed much in many years. I have one I bought one in 1999 (new) and it's still going strong without any problems ( I think I did blow a capacitor on the motor once). I replaced the 3 knife head with a Byrd about 5 years ago. It's a dovetail way jointer, which I kinda prefer to a parallelogram design. It's a lot less expensive, and a very good machine. That said, when I bought it I was drawn to it because of the cost and if choosing between the 2 (without cost as a factor) I'd love to have the PM.

 

[RichardHillius]

Which Powermatic are you looking at? The 60HH looks almost identical to the JJ-8HH in motor, bed length, and weight. The Parallelogram model 882HH is a much larger and heavier jointer that weights about 200 pounds more (shows in larger castings and heavier duty components).

It would be a hard sell on the 60HH at $500 or so more over the Jet for me as I have never had any issues with Jet products but that's me. I know some people prefer the Powermatic name and manufacturing/warranty practices.

 

[BurlyBob]

Brent I just gotta say that's a cold hearted woman that makes a man sell his tools. Did she at least let you keep your Dog? I vote for the Powermatic. I love there tools and only get to use them at my friends cabinet shop. I've been trying to talk him into letting me work for him part time, so I can use his tools the rest of the time. He's not having it for the moment. He's got that 8" PM with the helix head it is totally awesome and significantly quieter.

 

[pintodeluxe]

I vote for one with parallelogram beds. I am a Jet guy, and most of my stationary tools are that brand. However, I sold my Jet jointer to get a parallelogram version. Mine is the Delta DJ-20 but there are several clones out there, most notably the Grizzly 490.

After using a parallelogram bed jointer, the old dovetail style jointers have lost all appeal. The days of shimming the beds coplanar with brass shims or aluminum cans are gone. Very easy to set, and the settings hold firm.

I don't think Jet makes a parallelogram jointer, and the PM parallelogram jointers are sky high.
Something to consider.

 

[buildingmonkey]

I have a Grizzly G0609 with Byrd cutterhead. Like the parallelogram style, perfectly adjusted, no snipe. Wanted to get a 16" jointer, but the price made me stay with a 12". Have had mine several years, excellent jointer. You could always paint it gold.