picking out a first time jointer

Don’t settle keep looking. When I was looking for my quest jointer I had a app that alerted me on Craigslist to new posts.
I eventually bought a jointer off a small local listing called recycler. It was listed as a joiner so I was lucky but I stayed vigilant for more then a year.
I don’t like the sound of a cutech sounds like a toy for a girl
Sometimes letgo has jointers

-- Aj

May be read this:
http://lumberjocks.com/topics/225513
and this
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/11353

-- "It's getting better..." - put this on my RIP stone!

I have been watching Craig’s list for the past few months but all I am seeing are 6’’ Jet units.

There is a reason for that, keep looking.

-- Bondo Gaposis

At less than $500, my suggestion would be a 6”. Better a well-functioning 6” than poor results from a cheap 8”.

-- I dream of a world where a duck can cross the road and no one asks why.

Recently purchased the Cutech 8” with the spiral cutter head.I have a small shop, 12×14 and ideally it was the best choice for my space.It has its limitations but produces a real nice jointed board. If you the space a larger jointer would be best.Keep looking.You could always go new with a Grizzly jointer…

-- Jeff,Tucson,Az.

Thanks torus for the links. I must have set my search filter incorrectly. As to getting a good 6 inch, that has been a real source of frustration for me. Not counting Rikon, from Wen to more expensive units, they all look like they came from the same factory even the grizzly unit looks like a copy.

I was hoping someone would comment on the Jet unit. At least it is a well known brand

I can’t help with the jet unit but I’ve heard good reviews on the Cutech. I have a grizzly and have been very happy, although it is over your $500 budget.

-- I live on caffeine, sawdust and swear words. https://timberandashdesigns.com/

I used to bash Jet jointers till I found out Rich has one. I think we might friends so I don’t to lose my only friend.:)
Two things I know well.
Good barbecue and
Good jointers.
Some people think they know what a good jointer is but they don’t.
And good jointer has very flat tables that are adjustable so they can be coplaner.
A good jointer has a large cutting circle with sharp t1 steel knives.
Jointers made in the USA fit these two basic but important details.
You cannot find good barbecue at a Chinese restaurant
Good luck
What state are you looking in.

-- Aj

I have had my Jet 6” Jointer for almost 20 years and have had zero issues with it.
I have never needed anything bigger and I won’t have room for anything bigger until I can convince SWMBO to stop parking her car in the middle of my shop!! :)

-- A bad day woodworking is still better than a good day working.

... until I can convince SWMBO to stop parking her car in the middle of my shop!! :) – fivecodys

I hate when that happens.

-- A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer.

My first jointer was a Rockwell/Delta 6” with fixed outfeed table, I picked up at a local auction for $100. It served it’s purpose as a beginner jointer and held it’s own. Learned how to sharpen jointer knives, how to set them, and how to remain patient for a more robust jointer :)
All jointers here in Northern Nevada area come in around $250+ regardless of make/model/year.
After 4-5 years, another local auction had the famous 1980’s clone wars for machinery. I snagged a 8” long bed GeeTech jointer for under $100. HUGE difference in quality and control of jointing medium-to-long boards.

The point being…do not wait for a 8” jointer. Run with a 6” (you have learning to do, after all) until (if) a 8” catches your eye later.
As most of my past forum posts reflect… people talk about ebay or craigslist. I hope everyone looks at their local in person face to face auctions for items. 75% of my woodshop machinery has come from local auctions.

-- The Carpenter Bee is derived from the Ancient Greek word wood-cutter "xylokopos/ξυλοκὀπος"

Holbs, you have a point about learning.
I called Jet this morning. Per the tech, about a year ago they had a group of units go out with warped tables. The scary part was he would not say that all the bad units had been found and depending on the supplier, I could end up with a problem unit. As to the ones they are selling now, he said there is a procedure to make the tables co-planer.
I am in western Nebraska and unless you are looking for common items on craigslist, you have to look in the Denver area. That’s a 4 hour drive to see someone’s great deal or ….their junk.

Ok giving up on the 8” unit, anyone have any thoughts about the Rikon 6” bench jointer? Rockler has it for $450

Sorry!! Forgot if I want to ask about a Rikon, I need to search first and then start a new thread. Getting lazy (and tired of flopping around on what to do).

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Charlie

look at the rikkon and look at the cutech. they sure look identical cept for color.

Ok giving up on the 8” unit, anyone have any thoughts about the Rikon 6” bench jointer? Rockler has it for $450
- birdman1charlie

No. Don’t settle for a benchtop jointer. Drive to Denver.

This would last you a long time: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/jointer/6649560021.html

This guy will be lucky to get $200: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/6-rigid-jointer/6649279266.html

You could pay for the gas and get this one, great value, solid machine: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/d/jet-6-long-bed-jointer/6644823882.html

-- A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer.