Jointer and Planer Suggestions Needed

Is there a reason you want a combination jointer/planer? The DeWalt 735X planer is ~$600 or less, and a decent Grizzley jointer can be had for about the same amount.

-- Earl "I'm a pessamist - generally that increases the chance that things will turn out better than expected"

Is there a reason you want a combination jointer/planer? The DeWalt 735X planer is ~$600 or less, and a decent Grizzley jointer can be had for about the same amount.

- EarlS

I’m open to just about anything. I’ve been drawn into the combo units simply for the footprint. 1 machine vs. 2 gives me a little more room. I know it’s not a big difference.

If you’re a one man shop and you are pretty good about organizing your milling, the combo machine makes a lot of sense. The only reservation for the combo is if your machine is down, your jointer and planer are down.

It’s been said so many times but it’s worth repeating…. get an 8 inch jointer or wider if possible. if your budget brings in a 6 inch don’t fret, jointer is better than no jointer…. but having that few extra inches is nice especially with plain sawn stock which tend to come in wider dimensions.

My current set-up is a rigid jointer and grizzly benchtop planer… I can still get fabulous results, so it important to realize that while machine quality is important, tuning the machine, having sharp blades and technique are almost as important. I am building a 900 sq ft garage this fall, so early next year probably going to do a spiral combo machine… but start slowly, don’t dump a ton of money into this if you don’t have to.

Is there a reason you want a combination jointer/planer? The DeWalt 735X planer is ~$600 or less, and a decent Grizzley jointer can be had for about the same amount.

- EarlS

My shop is small in my basement, I can only joint, plane stock that is 60” of less, and need about 10 feet of space on both sides of the machine…. that’s a spade eater, the combo would save a tone of space for me.

I m open to just about anything. I ve been drawn into the combo units simply for the footprint. 1 machine vs. 2 gives me a little more room. I know it s not a big difference.

- clschaffer

If you re a one man shop and you are pretty good about organizing your milling, the combo machine makes a lot of sense. The only reservation for the combo is if your machine is down, your jointer and planer are down.

It s been said so many times but it s worth repeating…. get an 8 inch jointer or wider if possible. if your budget brings in a 6 inch don t fret, jointer is better than no jointer…. but having that few extra inches is nice especially with plain sawn stock which tend to come in wider dimensions.

My current set-up is a rigid jointer and grizzly benchtop planer… I can still get fabulous results, so it important to realize that while machine quality is important, tuning the machine, having sharp blades and technique are almost as important. I am building a 900 sq ft garage this fall, so early next year probably going to do a spiral combo machine… but start slowly, don t dump a ton of money into this if you don t have to.

- Logan Windram

Great Advice!!! Thank You I appreciate it.

I have the ridgid and like it, but got it for $225 new (HD close out) It was $449 full retail. I would shoot for $200. I have seen the Grizzly used in very good shape in that range too.

I picked up a dewalt 733 (earlier version of 734) and it works quite well. I have missed out on some $300 735’s on craigslist.

I would say with a $1000, you could buy the grizzly new and the 735 new. You could also likely find both used for closer to $500

-- -Paul, South Carolina Structural Engineer by trade, Crappy Woodworker by choice

I have a Jet JJP-12HH combo machine now but I used the Ridgid jointer and TP1300 lunchbox planer for many years and I had no complaints. In some ways, I liked the lunchbox planer better than the heavier iron that I am using today. I wish I hadn’t sold it. I changed directions with my woodworking about 3 years ago and needed a 12 inch jointer. The Jet has been very good and I would recommend it but with a few caveats. It is pretty far past your current budget though.

I have the ridgid and like it, but got it for $225 new (HD close out) It was $449 full retail. I would shoot for $200. I have seen the Grizzly used in very good shape in that range too.

I picked up a dewalt 733 (earlier version of 734) and it works quite well. I have missed out on some $300 735 s on craigslist.

I would say with a $1000, you could buy the grizzly new and the 735 new. You could also likely find both used for closer to $500

- PaulHWood

Shoot that was a great price on the Rigid new. Currently HD is selling them for $599. I hear a lot of good about the 735. The negatives I hear regarding it is it eats blades quick and snipe is an issue. I understand snipe is what it is and there’s only so much you can do. I’ve heard of a few tricks that seem to minimize it considerably if not completely. I currently own a Grizzly table saw and absolutely love it, so I’ll definitely look into getting a Grizzly jointer.

I have a Jet JJP-12HH combo machine now but I used the Ridgid jointer and TP1300 lunchbox planer for many years and I had no complaints. In some ways, I liked the lunchbox planer better than the heavier iron that I am using today. I wish I hadn t sold it. I changed directions with my woodworking about 3 years ago and needed a 12 inch jointer. The Jet has been very good and I would recommend it but with a few caveats. It is pretty far past your current budget though.

- ArtMann

Yes Sir it is. I’ve actually drooled over the JJP-12HH. A buddy of mine knows a guy that has one. He’s the one who got me thinking about an all in one. The Rikon 25-210 I’m keeping an eye on is intriguing, but I can’t seem to find any reviews on it. Reviews for the 25-210H is positive. Same machine just has the helical cutters.

Since you are considering a CL find, keep an eye out for a Makita 2030 or Hitachi F1000A combo unit… built like tanks, easiest knife changes of any machine on the planet, and no swap-over time needed to go from jointer to planer.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

It has been my experience, and I have no experience with these particular jointer planers, that machines that do multiple things never do them as well as dedicated machines. I tried a shop smith, and after a month I couldn’t wait to get rid of it.
I have a 12” lunch box planer from Wood River with helix cutterhead that I got on closeout at Woodcraft and a Jet 6” jointer and manage just fine. If you look around on Craigslist, Offerup, or Letgo, you can find some pretty good buys on 8” jointers.
Im thinking about the Woodgears Jointer project, in that its a 12” Jointer that has a footprint comparable to an 8” jointer.

-- A good day is any day that you're alive....

I have had some combos and like them. Sure,
they are a hassle sometimes, but almost everything
in woodworking is a hassle sometimes.

i was looking into the combo units for a short while and iirc, the adjustability of the tables were a concern on some

• i see a inca combo unit with motor on side, locally for $500

-- “Facts don't care about your feelings.” ..., Ben Shapiro

I have an inca 560 sitting in my garage. I got it off OfferUp from a guy whose father in law gave to him. I paid $100 for it on the condition he’d get another 100 when he found the outfeed table. 4 months later he can’t find it under his father in laws mountains of crap. Works great as a planer, motor runs great, but I’m probably going to wind up parting it out.
I haven’t had great experiences with combo machines

-- A good day is any day that you're alive....

I would get two machines and look real close at grizzly.they are outstanding machines for the money