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6" jointer

3K views 27 replies 14 participants last post by  ruger 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm in the market for a good quality used 6" jointer with at least a 48" (??) bed. I've been checking Craigslist without much luck unless you're into old Craftsman jointers. I'm in the Harrisburg PA area if you know of any leads. I'd also appreciate any advice on what specs are best/preferred - motor size for instance. My projects smaller in nature - small tables, spoons, kids chair. Nothing much longer than 4-5' normally. I have access to an 8" jointer if I need one. This is my first post so here's to hoping I got it right,

Steve
 
#3 ·
#4 ·
this ridgid jointer is over in York area. Not sure I would pay that price. They go a little cheaper on the west coast.
I have the older ridgid 6" jointer. (closed stand model). It has served me well for several years now.
https://york.craigslist.org/tls/d/york-ridgid-6-1-2in-jointer-planer/6813646037.html

Ad says that it is firm on the price. But the ad is also a month old, I'd take a $100 off and see what happens.
 
#5 ·
Good eye John and I appreciate your help. As it turns out I talked to the owner just yesterday. He lives 40 miles from me. It was apparent he wasn't going to budge much. Had it listed for $450 and wanked to me that he was going to drop the price to $425. I offered $350, no go. I saw another Ridgid nearby for $400 but I'm not sure how I feel about a Ridgid.
 
#7 ·
I'm very pleased with my Ridgid- no problems (bought used several years ago)- It didn't come with a manual, but Manuel (might have been seller's name) helped me load it :) Quality wise, the Ridgid is comparable with other Asian sourced clones. It's much better quality than the old C'man I had. Hard to say what a reasonable price is, but $350+/- sounds realistic- just depends on how motivated (desperate) the seller or buyer is.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ridgid jointers are decent tool. Can be had cheap usually?
When the BORG decided to stop carrying Ridgid large power tools in stores, they slashed prices to 45-50% of retail. Each store did it on different schedule, so there was never a formal 'orange' rush to buy them. I picked up both Jointer and bandsaw for less than $300 each ~10 years ago. Due the BORG closeout of several machines from 30+ local stores, Ridgid has a tendency to have lower resale prices on CL .vs. same 'made n China' machine from Jet or even Grizzly. Random Ridgid jointer shows up on CL every couple of months for $200-300, and sell very quickly. Mine sold in 4 hours when I upgraded.

Jointers are pretty simple machine. If the beds are flat, fence is square, no broken broken handles; they work just fine. 6 inch machine runs well with only 3/4HP motor, unless you plane full 6" cuts with max cut depth in hardest woods. I clogged the dust collection chute on my 6" several times with too big of a cut, and motor never complained. :)

Used prices vary by region, but I wouldn't spend more than ~$350 for used any 6" jointer. Unless maybe it was an almost brand new Powermatic with receipt in hand to show price paid? Even a new model Grizzy will sit on CL for weeks looking for buyer if priced more than $400.

Remember this in world of used tools:
There are hundreds of people just like you searching for cheap used tools. The great deals are gone in less than 1 hour after ad is posted. Tools with near market pricing last maybe a day or three. Overpriced tools sit on CL for weeks.
Note the the hunt for cheap tools is a hobby for some. They grab anything well below market, clean it a little, and re-list short time later trying to make a quick buck.
So set some alerts on CL, FB market place, Letgo, and any local used online market place; and be ready to jump like your arse is on fire when tool in your price range hits the market. Can't tell you how many times I was caller #2,3,4, or even #5; when I called about a used tool in less than 15 minutes after the ad was posted. It tool me over 5 years to get my hands on sub-$300 Unisaw, thanks to retired folks who rebuild tools in this area always beating me in response time to the ads.

Good luck on your tool hunt.
 
#11 ·
It is an older Jet, what I found came up as a long bed jointer. So that is good.
I think it is priced a little high for its age, but Jet in general will hold a higher price than the ridgid, or a craftsman. And some of the other ads in your area are just nuts. Like the $850 Delta Rockwell.
You know, the long bed will have a higher value too.
If the bed is flat, and everything in good order. I suppose it may be a deal in your area.
Another example, is $200 for that 6"h/d. That's a $50 machine at best out on the west coast.
 
#12 ·
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
I thought older machinery would be cheaper on the East coast due to the larger population centers?
I see 6" jointers in Nevada for $200 range on Craigslist. I'm sure it boils down to cost & demand. Just figured, the market would be saturated along the East coast.

Oh…do keep in mind local auctions. I see TONS of auctions I really wish I could visit in person along the East coast, as compared to NV. I would say 50% of all my machines are from auctions :)
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ok, I just got back from looking at the Jet jj-6cs, $450. Very clean machine in good working condition but I have two concerns:
1 - the fence is bowed about .005" as you look down on it. It is square to the tables but the bow is obvious when you lay a straight edge against it, left to right. The gap is greatest at the cutter head.

2 - the infeed table has a .0015" sag in the middle, roughly midway btn the cutter head and the right hand end of the table.

I want to buy this machine but, as a rookie jointer (never owned one), I want to make sure I'm not getting a lemon. The guy selling it said he never had any issues with it but he used it for guitar building and didn't use dimensional lumber. My guess is it's a good machine, just want to know if those numbers are tolerable.

So - BOTTOM LINE - are these issues legit or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? As always I surely appreciate advice of those with experience. Thanks Gang
 
#18 ·
Well that's the deal breaker for me. Fence and tables must be flat.
The rest of a jointer is so simple that fixes come pretty easy.
I would pass on it.
Tung oil post shows the machines in philly.
That PM looks like it could be good if the price was down a bit. Looks like it's missing the blade guard. Simple fix, and price negotiation point.
The ridgid is a more accurate price for that machine too.
 
#20 ·
I already checked into 2/3 CL listings referenced by TO. I have talked to the Ridgid owner. Seems like it would be a good machine but I was hoping to avoid a 2-1/2 hour drive and get something more local. The PM is a little $$ for me and the Delaware unit sold.

So Tung Oil says "no biggie" and Big John says "na". Here's my final thought: I'm calling Jet Technical Support tomorrow morning to see what they have to say. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks and will update tomorrow
 
#21 ·
I agree. Pass.
at $450 range, being 6" and used and fence not initially square (can fix it possibly)... I would go for a $200 Craftsman jointer instead if seeking a beginner jointer.
 
#23 ·
I just got off the phone with Jet Tech Support. He told me that my numbers were nothing to worry about, Jet allows for .006" on wood jointers. "We are not trying to get to zero with a wood jointer as we would a metal working tool" was his basic msg. The bow in the fence was absolutely NOT critical - bend it back just if you want but not a concern. He stated that new-production jointers aren't perfectly flat either, they don't need to be. When I asked him why there seemed to be so much concern about "warped or non-flat" beds/fences, he said it was due to a lack of understanding about jointers. As long as the machine can be properly aligned with a sq fence and "flatness" is within .006" it will function as designed.

BOTTOM LINE - I am going to buy this machine. I'll provide comments once I have a little experience.

I surely appreciate your input and advice.
 
#25 ·
It's been a while but I wanted to let you know I finally found a good used jointer. The Jet machine I looked at for $500 was too warped for me and I didn't trust the seller, so I passed on that one. I eventually found another 6" Jet in St Michaels MD, a 3 hr drive for me. They were asking $600 but were negotiable. It was owned by the MD Boat Donation Program and they had replaced it a couple years earlier with an 8" jointer. Turns out it was manf in 2008 and was an "50th anniversary edition", whatever that means. It was in good shape other than moderate table rust. I ended up buying it for $325, got it home and cleaned it up and it works great. Just saw the same unit at Woodcraft for $1200. I feel it was a good deal so I'm a happy camper. Thanks all for your help
 
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