My first jointer. New or used?

[Jason Buresh]

Hello. I am looking to purchase my first jointer, but could use some advice. I have used a jointer in high school and at my uncle's woodshop, but have never owned one. I went to school to fix industrial machinery, so working on a used machine doesn't intimidate me, as I used to work on machines that were similar to jointers, except the blades were 8ft long and the material went under the cutters. It was almost like a giant thickness planer, except it didn't cut wood.

I am wondering if I am better off buying a used jointer and fixing it up or if I should just buy a new one. I do not have a thickness planer yet and would like to buy one shortly after a jointer and would like to buy a decent machine.. Is it worth the time buying a cheap jointer on Craigslist and getting it all set up or am I better off buying an entry level unit and avoiding the headaches? I am looking at a Craftsman 113.20650 on Craigslist right now for under $100, and it looks to be in decent shape. Otherwise I was looking at the Ridgid floor model for a new jointer. I don't have room for and 8in or bigger right now, so looking for a 6" until I can hopefully move to a larger space in the distant future.

What are your opinions? Should I spend time trying to make something out of nothing or money on a decent unit and be done with it?

[Andrew Hughes]

Stay away from the craftsman jointers with a fixed outfeed.
Look for a something in the 8inch range it’s a good starter jointer.
Bring a reliable straight edge to check the tables for humps or hollows.
If you post your general location we might be able to help with any good choices.
Good Luck

[Jason Buresh]

I am in the Northeast Wisconsin area, near Green Bay.

I would love to get an 8" jointer but I just don't have the room in my workshop right now.

And I respect you saying to avoid the fixed outfeed table jointers, but may I ask why? I only ask to learn as I have used jointers, but have never really worked on one.

[Matt Day]

A fixed outfeed table jointer has no adjustment in it, therefore adjustments to make the cutterhead parallel to it are done with shims, which can be a pain.

If you like woodworking you’ll want to upgrade on the sooner side, so getting an 8” jointer makes more sense. They really don’t take up that much more room, so make sure you really consider it.

Definitely buy used whatever you do.

[Matt Day]

Sometimes you have to drive a bit, but there are some good options out there around you.

Get this one:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/d/shawano-12-jointer/6939625350.html
Or this:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/d/janesville-delta-rockwell-6-jointer/6923774747.html

And get this to help set it up:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/d/milwaukee-veritas-steel-straight-edge-24/6952977880.html

Or this one if you really want a jointer:
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/d/shawano-12-jointer/6939625350.htm

[Mike Kees]

I agree with both Matt and Andrew on this one,look for an 8 inch machine and buy used. One thing that seems to trip up people looking for their first jointer is not understanding completely what this machine should accomplish. The jointers job is to flatten one face of a piece of lumber and then to make a square edge. Some people miss the flatten part. This is why you will outgrow a 6 inch jointer very quickly.

[John TenEyck]

Used. And a fixed outfeed table makes it a little harder but not that much, so I wouldn't shy away if you get a good deal. Especially on a 6" which you will like upgrade from anyway. If the tables are flat and parallel and it runs smoothly it will serve your needs.
If space is a real issue you might want to look for a used combo J/P instead if two separate machines. I've been using one for 30 years.

[Jason Buresh]

Matt, I appreciate the suggestions, but there isn't a snowballs chance down under that the 12" jointer will fit down my stairs and I'm not afraid to drive, but is that delta really worth over $200? I'm not afraid of a project, but that's over a 6 hour round trip from where I live and it looks like it's in pieces.

[michael langman]

Jason, Buying a used jointer is a good way to save yourself some money that you could use for other things.
I think differently then others in that I think a 6" jointer makes a good first choice. There are plenty out there and they don't cost that much considering the labor saved in having one. Take your time and buy a good one.

[Matt Day]

I know you won’t get the 12”, just fun machines to look at. I started with a 6”, then 8”, now I have a 12” Northfield. By the way, my shop is in the basement with a turn in the stairs.

The vintage cast iron base one is worth the money if it’s all there. It’s a sought after style and those bases are rare. The open stand one is an easier project.

[David Kumm]

There are lots of used jointers in Wis. If you need cheap and want to learn before spending a lot, find a 6" but don't spend over $250 as you will shortly want more. An 8" is more like 450-850 range. Lots of choices too. Don't be afraid of old names like Yates, Boice Crane, Rockwell, etc. The old cast iron is usually good and you can bring a long straight edge to check the tables. Jointers are all about flat tables and used are as likely to be flat ( or more so ) than new. Dave

[Jason Buresh]

Matt,

They are indeed fun to look at. My shop also has a bend in the stairs, and makes heavy equipment and interesting workout to get downstairs. Lol.

I did not realize the old Delta's are sought after. If I didn't know any better, which I don't, it looked like a giant pile of scrap metal

[Alex Zeller]

The real question is do you want to be able to flatten wood? I know a friend who make cabinets who only uses a 6" jointer. He's able to get by because he only buys flat s4s lumber. But that can be a pain as wood moves and the longer it sit the more it can move. I like rough cut wood. I can let it sit at my house until I'm ready to use it. Usually it's adjusted to my shop so once I flatten it it stays that way. My friend only buys enough wood for about a few days worth of work while I like to buy enough for the project and some spare to just have on hand. With a 6" jointer you can get by but you will learn to do tricks to work around the limitations. There's a reason why more than half the used jointers for sale are 6" ones.

Another neighbor does woodworking commercially. We have an agreement where he allows me full use of his shop in exchange for favors I do for him. He loves old equipment. The last time I had a pile of rough cut to flatten and square up it was on a 20" jointer that had babbitts vs bearings. It was a huge machine but could flatten a 12' board better than a pool table. If you look at used equipment you may come across one with these. You don't need to shy away but you should read up a little as you make find a great deal.

[Randall J Cox]

I started out with a used 6" craftsman jointer, used it for prob 20 years. Then upgraded to a used Powermatic 8". Realized then that the Craftsman never really worked - not a typo - it never really worked. I was blown away at the difference. I love the Powermatic. I took a full day to carefully dial it in with a dial indicator. Also, after a while, I replaced the cutter head and motor bearings and had the knives sharpened. I'm convinced that it will be working just fine for many years to come. What a joy to use. Most of my big stuff is used that I have totally rebuilt. Saves tons of money and I enjoy doing it. No formal training, just follow my nose and am careful to document how it comes apart. Good luck with whatever you buy but, please only buy quality stuff, then you won't have to replace it later on. My two cents. Randy

[Chris Denzler]

I’ve got an Inca 570 jointer for sale in Duluth, MN. Could meet you half way or something

[John TenEyck]

I had an Inca J/P for 25 years. Awesome machine, especially for someone with limited space but not limited ambition. That little machine punches way above its size.

[Dave Cav]

I have had two 6" jointers, an 8", and now a 12". There are a lot of cheap, flimsy 6" jointers out there; that's why that is mostly what you see for sale used. 8" jointers are more serious machines. Just save yourself a lot of trouble and find an 8", preferably with a Byrd head, or inexpensive enough to retrofit one.

[Jason Buresh]

I’ve got an Inca 570 jointer for sale in Duluth, MN. Could meet you half way or something

Is it on Craigslist? I could email you through that.

[Marc Jeske]

Matt, I appreciate the suggestions, but there isn't a snowballs chance down under that the 12" jointer will fit down my stairs and I'm not afraid to drive, but is that delta really worth over $200? I'm not afraid of a project, but that's over a 6 hour round trip from where I live and it looks like it's in pieces.

There are enough Delta / Rockwell 6" on the market that are not basket cases.

Marc

[Marc Jeske]

Delta 6" Jointer - $400

Probably too far to drive, but an example of what can be found.

Marc

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/tls/d/alsip-woodshop/6946218997.html


https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/d/milwaukee-grizzly-g-jointer/6949263496.html

[Marc Jeske]

I have had WAY more luck selling on Facebook marketplace than C list this year.

Be aware of it Guys... it IS taking over.

Here's search results for Jointer Green bay ws within 100 miles.

Marc

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/greenbay/search/?query=jointer&latitude=44.513333333333&longitude=-88.015833333333&radiusKM=161&vertical=C2C&sort=BEST_MATCH

[Myk Rian]

I have had WAY more luck selling on Facebook marketplace than C list this year.
Same here. Sold my 8" Rockwell on FB Marketplace. CL is getting to be a pain.

[Bill Lyman]

As a hobbyist I try to buy good used standing equipment. I purchased a 8" Powermatic Jointer and a15" Powermatic planer from a listing on Craig's list 10 years ago and they both are still working as designed. I also have a used Delta 6" belt/12" disc sander and drill press that work well. All were about 1/2 the price of new and they work as well.

[lowell holmes]

I would go shopping and put my hands on machines I like and then go from there. I would go on line to see the best price of that machine.

[Anuj Prateek]

I have a Delta Rockwell 37-220 6" jointer. Bought it used for ~ $300. Has enclosed bottom (less mess) and came with mobile base (these things are heavy). I changed the knifes twice so far ($14). It is serving well from last one year. Overall, I see it as VFM.

Now, the bad part.

- Fence has slight twist. So I don't get perfect 90° faces. This does not bother me much as hand planes take care of remaining 5%. Learning: Take a straight edge and a square when you go to check a used jointer.

- 6" works for 70% boards (for me). My bench top planer handles 13" width. So for rest 30% boards I end up using hand plane to true the wide face. I find hand planes easier than sledge. Learning: Should have spent $150 more and bought the 8" used jointer. If I had unlimited space I would buy a 12" model.

- I checked new jointers when I was buying. Loved the Powermatic long bed jointer. Looking back, it was also 6". Feature wise these are simple machines so don't know (apart from fence) what it would have done better.

tl;dr;

- If buying 6" then buy used. Check fence and bed before buying.
- If 8" is available used then buy that.
- If you have space (and money) buy as wide as you can.
- Have not seen many used 8" and above on sale at reasonable price. This is the only case in which I will buy new.

Edit:

Of of curiosity checked 12" jointer price. I can't buy it even if I had space :(. Well if only I find one used :)

[Pete Staehling]

A lot depends on what you will be building and what kind of stock you are using. For me even though the wood comes in as big slabs it gets broken down into shortish lengths (<5') and usually fairly narrow widths so I am happy with a little Shop Fox bench top jointer. I don't even lust after bigger jointers. I don't think that is true for many of us though.

If you will be happy with a lesser machine don't be talked into something you don't need. If you really need more buying it up front is a good idea. On the other hand it isn't a huge deal if you have to sell a small machine that doesn't work out to trade up especially if it is a used one. At least it is easier to move in and out and you didn't tie up a lot of money in it.

I love my little bench top jointer, but if you really need a big jointer you'd hate it. The same may or may not apply to a 6" floor model vs and 8" one for you depending on your work. Think about what you really want to do and buy accordingly.

[Mark Daily]

I have been using a 6” jointer from Grizzly for about 15 years now and have had no problems with it. I build cabinets and furniture and it has worked fine for me. I rarely need to joint wood wider than 6” but there are ways to joint wider wood if you also have a thickness planer.
An 8” jointer would be nice for longer pieces of wood but I make do with what I have. I don’t have room for an 8” either.

Dont know what your budget is but I found this on the Grizzly website. It is a newer model of what I have.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-6-x-48-Jointer-with-Economy-Stand/G0813

I also use this blade system with it. It eliminates the need to manually set your blades which is a great time saver. I’ve tried different jigs & techniques but they just don’t seem to work as well for me. The only downside is you can’t sharpen the blades- you just turn them around to use the second side then toss them. If they get nicked, you can just loosen one and slide it sideways a bit so you don’t end up with raised “lines” on your wood.

The 6” blades are about $25 for a set of 3. The system itself has gotten a lot more expensive then when I bought mine.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Dispoz-A-Blade-Self-Set-System-for-G0654-G0452-3-Knife-6-Jointers/T21146

(The catalog shows this fitting 2 jointers that are discontinued but I think it just hasn’t been updated yet. It should fit any of their 3 cutter head models but I would check with them 1st before buying)