8" Jointer recommendations

[Rich Riddle]

Any recommendations on a 8" jointer? Thanks.

[Anthony Whitesell]

G0490X. Definately a spiral, helix, or shelix head. Ixnay the straight blades. (I wish I had)

[Paul McGaha]

Hi Rich,

I'd recommend a Powermatic PJ-882. Combined table length about 7 ft. Good Power. Good Dust Collection. Easy set up as it comes almost entirely assembled by Powermatic.

It is pricey compared to other 8" Jointers.

I've had one since about 2004. Really no complaints at all (Other than maybe it's not a 12" Jointer).

Good luck with it.

PHM

[Van Huskey]

I agree with Paul, the PJ-882 is my favorite 8" jointer that you can buy new. However, the price is kind high especially if you don't get it on sale and the current sale ends today.

The Grizzly 490 is a copy of the Delta DJ20 and is the go-to budget 8" jointer.

Then there is the great world of used.

I prefer a carbide insert head at this level of jointer.

[G Douglas Fowler]

I do not recommend the Grizzly. I bought one recently a 8" polar and am very disappointed with the fence adjustments ( it won't stay aligned) the dust collection is spotty at best, the deck pits easily and despite my best efforts, there is what I consider excessive vibration. Oh, if you need to tighten the belts, you need to fashion a tool to be able get access and lossen one of tensions bolts. Then manual does not properly indicate this and when I brought it to Grizly'ds attention it was sort of "ho hum."

[Cary Falk]

I have the Shop Fox 1741 which is the same as the Grizzly G0490 and a clone of the Delta DJ20. I put a Byrd head in mine and couldn't be happier..

[Cody Colston]

G0490X. Definately a spiral, helix, or shelix head. Ixnay the straight blades. (I wish I had)

+1 on the griz and the spiral head.

[Matt Day]

I've got the Shop Fox 1741 as well and have been very happy. Currently I have straight blades on it, and will upgrade to a spiral cutting planer before I even thought about doing so on my jointer.

[glenn bradley]

Another happy G0490X owner here.

[Jim Foster]

A used Delta DJ20 would be a good solid start. I have one and it's pretty good. Issues for me, pain to adjust belt, fence could be a little more solid, I'd like to add the Byrd-Shelix head, but I think I should save the money for a combination J/P machine to make some room in my shop. The Powermatic 8" looks really nice, but comes at a really nice cost.

[trevor adair]

Grizzly G0656P for over a year, 2 sets of knives later still very pleased with it..

[Dave Zellers]

For whatever it's worth, I have the Griz 0490 without the 'X' and am very happy with it.

It helps I'm sure, that I sharpen the knives myself.