JET 708476 Model JJP-12HH 12-Inch Planer/Jointer with Helical Cutterhead

[Michael Ginsberg]

I currently have a Ridgid jointer (6 inch) and planer (12 inch) and wanted to upgrade. This months issue of Fine Woodworking, they compare the Grizzly and the Jet combo machines (12 inch). They liked the Grizzly and Jet, but suggested the Jet with the Helical head is the best for the added $1000.
It seems that you can get this combination unit for about $3000.
Those of you who have this model, do you like it and have any input as to other options like seperate machines?
Am I better off getting a 15 inch Grizzly planer and 8inch jointer, each with their own spiral-Helical heads for about the same price...The drawback is the jointer would not be 12 inches...
I appreciate the input.
Michael

[Dan Bowman]

I have the Hammer 12" combo, but if I had the space, I'd absolutely go for separate machines. And I'm not sure you need a helical head in your jointer - just run a final very light pass on the jointed side with your helical planer. The money you save might allow you to upgrade to a 12" jointer.

[Matt Meiser]

I went from that same combination of sizes to the machine you are looking at and I love it. Changeover really isn't an issue at all and any inconvenience is far outweighed by having a 12" jointer in not much more footprint than either previous machine alone.

[Michael Ginsberg]

Matt,
Is there anything about this machine you do not like?

[Arnold E Schnitzer]

I have the original JJP-12. I thought it was a decent, if underwhelming machine. A few months ago I had the Jet helical cutter head (and new bearings) installed, and the difference was startling. I now think of this machine as top-notch, and would buy another if needed. Performance on all types of wood is outstanding. Changeover takes about a minute and does not bother me. I could not fit separate machines in my shop.

[Bas Pluim]

I made a similar upgrade. While my shop has enough space for separate machines, a shop never really has enough space. Not only is the footprint of a combination machine smaller, I only have to worry about adequate infeed- and outfeed space for one machine instead of two. Having a helical head in both the jointer and planer is wonderful. Zero tear out, and no more fussy jointer knives to set. Changeover is fast, most of the effort goes into lowering the table (to make room for the dust hood) when converting from planer back to jointer.

Jointing long boards (longer than 6ft) can be a challenge. With some roller stands it's doable, but that's the only time I wish the machine was bigger. I tend to cut my pieces to rough size first, so it rarely comes up. I've purchased enough boards that are wider than 8" to really appreciate the extra capacity a 12" jointer provides.

I wrote a review a while back, which you can find here (http://newtoolreviews.com/featured/jet-planerjointer-combo).

[Matt Meiser]

Matt,
Is there anything about this machine you do not like?

About the only thing I could complain about is that the chip collection in jointer mode isn't great and I end up with a pile on the planer bed. My friend's Minimax does the exact same thing though.

[Michael Ginsberg]

Bas...
Wow. I think you have sold me on this... You must work for Jet... LOL...

[jonathan eagle]

I have the grizzly. Quality-wise is is fantastic. I have a Hammer bandsaw. Although it's not a JP, quality wise I see no difference. (I know this riles up the euro JP owners.)
In that same FWW article, you can see that the JET converts faster than the grizzly. It is not a problem for me, as I use the grizzly as a jointer only. But it is a serious consideration. I have seen that the JET SCH can be had for not much more than the grizzly. (toolnut? maybe combined with a JET sale which seems to run every so often). There is a HP difference, weight and jointer length difference. I like the grizzly's 59" table length. I used to have a 6" jointer and it is about the same length. There is nothing that will tip this 600+ pound JP over.
Consider keeping the lunchbox planer for now, and you would still have two separate options. Upgrade the planer later. That's my plan.
I wouldn't buy a non-SCH jointer, myself. Euro or otherwise!

[Van Huskey]

The Jet is a very nice combo for the price especially if you get it on sale.

I would suggest considering the Hammer A3-31, it may actually be the best buy in the 12" J/P category. Most will agree there is a deceent amount of difference between the Austrian built and Chinese/Taiwan built machines. The is a lot of discussion about it lately, I always find it interesting discussions about machines tend to come in groups here, nothing for a few months then ever other thread is about a particular machine.

[Ruhi Arslan]

Be prepared to spare some extra time to "readjust" when you change back and forth from jointer to planer with the Jet J/P combo.

[John Coloccia]

The Jet's a nice tool for $2000. For $3000, I'd be hard pressed to recommend it over the Hammer, even with straight knives.

Do you have one, Ruhi? Mine doesn't drift between changeovers. Mine just seems to drift with time.

[Ruhi Arslan]

I did have one but no longer. A3-31 replaced mine... ;)

It took me a while to figure out that when I did a changeover which was often, it didn't retain the prior adjustment.

[Curt Harms]

I have the grizzly. Quality-wise is is fantastic. I have a Hammer bandsaw. Although it's not a JP, quality wise I see no difference. (I know this riles up the euro JP owners.)
In that same FWW article, you can see that the JET converts faster than the grizzly. It is not a problem for me, as I use the grizzly as a jointer only. But it is a serious consideration. I have seen that the JET SCH can be had for not much more than the grizzly. (toolnut? maybe combined with a JET sale which seems to run every so often). There is a HP difference, weight and jointer length difference. I like the grizzly's 59" table length. I used to have a 6" jointer and it is about the same length. There is nothing that will tip this 600+ pound JP over.
Consider keeping the lunchbox planer for now, and you would still have two separate options. Upgrade the planer later. That's my plan.
I wouldn't buy a non-SCH jointer, myself. Euro or otherwise!

Jonathan, if you're going to continue using a separate planer, why get a combo machine? Why not a 12" jointer? Just curious. One thing for those considering a combo machine to keep in mind. With a separate planer you can leave the planer set for depth so that if you need to plane an additional piece after planing most of the stock for a project, the planer's depth may still be where it was for the other pieces. With a combo machine lowering the planer table to use the jointer will change the planer's depth setting. I would recommend a digital readout on the planer bed. That way you can plane to say, .75", lower the planer bed to use the jointer and move the planer bed back to .75" repeatably. Might save some fussin' and cussin'.

[Van Huskey]

Jonathan, if you're going to continue using a separate planer, why get a combo machine? Why not a 12" jointer? My guess is cost, the least expensive (new) 12" jointer on the market is more expensive than the Grizzly 12" J/P. IMHO it as false economy since the bit population on the Grizzly 12" J/P is VERY low (32 bits) the G0609X has 60 bits and the cost is not that much different. More bits = better finish. Those are the two biggest issues with the Grizzly 634 J/Ps: low bit population and the Rube Goldberg changeover. The Jet has it beat on changeover, 56 bits vs 32 bits and has a shear vs straight cutterhead, but it is more expensive by about $650 ($400 over the 634Z) unless it is on sale.

[Kent Chasson]

I have the JJP-12 with HH. If you are looking to save space and money, it's a great way to go. If you are looking for something solid and precise, I would not recommend it. The jointer tables are designed to be lightweight and make the change over easy. Mine were far from flat to begin with and they do not stay true.

That said, it is good enough for 98% of what most people probably use it for. And I love the HH. Change over is very quick.

Dust collection is not great but some mods can help.

[Alan Lightstone]

About the only thing I could complain about is that the chip collection in jointer mode isn't great and I end up with a pile on the planer bed. My friend's Minimax does the exact same thing though.

My Laguna does the same thing. :(

[Rick Prosser]

I also have the JJP-12 with HH. I had nothing, and this seemed to be the best bang for the buck in my price range.

I have had to replace the motor (overheating), and a capacitor after replacing the motor. Jet was quick to replace the motor at no cost, and I swapped out the cap. Seems to be working fine now.

I looked at reviews comparing with the Griz, and although most of them seemed to be evenly rated, most went with the Jet.

The thing that helped me finalize my decision was the removal of the Griz fence for changeover, and the guard for the jointer. I never liked the operation of the pork-chop design, and the euro-design works well for me.

[Matt Meiser]

The thing that helped me finalize my decision was the removal of the Griz fence for changeover, and the guard for the jointer. I never liked the operation of the pork-chop design, and the euro-design works well for me.

That was the deciding factor for me as well.

[jonathan eagle]

Jonathan, if you're going to continue using a separate planer, why get a combo machine? Why not a 12" jointer? Just curious. One thing for those considering a combo machine to keep in mind. With a separate planer you can leave the planer set for depth so that if you need to plane an additional piece after planing most of the stock for a project, the planer's depth may still be where it was for the other pieces. With a combo machine lowering the planer table to use the jointer will change the planer's depth setting. I would recommend a digital readout on the planer bed. That way you can plane to say, .75", lower the planer bed to use the jointer and move the planer bed back to .75" repeatably. Might save some fussin' and cussin'.

These are good questions. I prefer separete tools as many do. The size of the beds for a "real 12" jointer would have been just too large for my shop. (I would have prefered a standalone jointer with SCH). I felt that if I had an important piece of wood I would use the planer on the JP, rather than the straight blades on the planer. I am firmly in the SCH court having used both the stright blades and now the SCH head of the grizzly. FWW has also reviewed the heads of various SCH and found by head to head testing that the grizzly SCH to be virtually as good as the others. Having tried the JP planer and having to lift the fence on the grizzly, I wouldn't want to do that all the time. I find that this would be a real problem without a nice setup with a shelf nearby. The tables on the grizzly are wonderful, smooth and flat. The 5HP is a real plus as well. (Nothing is perfect. My Hammer BS with a non-standard miter slot for instance. But I happened to have an old benchtop TS whose miter fit!)
Jonathan

[Seth Runkle]

While I am picking up on an older thread here, I find the discussion equally as relevant today. A question for anyone who's had different models -- what about customer service? I continue to hear that Grizzly is about as bad as they come, and Jet is, conversely, very customer oriented. Look, I get the sale folks are nice in all companies, but if I have a real problem that can't be solved by myself or with the help of one of their technical experts after I already have bought it, I expect a solid company to make things right. The horror stories with Grizzly are palpable. Any thoughts on this topic?

[Prashun Patel]

I do not share the grisly grizzly stories. I experience their tools and service to be fine.