Jim DeLaney
12-15-2006, 11:06 PM
A couple weeks ago, I bit the bullet and called Esta USA to order a Dispoz-a-Blade set for my 6” jointer (Delta 37-190).
I needed a new set of blades anyway, and had long been intrigued by the Esta ads. The very courteous lady who answered the phone told me that they’re having a special this month (December) that includes an extra set of blades with the initial purchase, so I’d be getting four sets of edges (two per blade set) instead of the usual two.
I placed the order on a Tuesday morning, and had the blade setup by Thursday afternoon (NY to Ohio, via UPS).
As advertised by Esta, installation took about ten minutes. The Dispoz-a-Blade setup for 6” and 8” jointers is a bit different than the sets for larger machines. It has little tabs that butt against the top of the blade channel. They work with any jointer head that’s perfectly round (no ledges or indentations at the back of the blade channels). Just drop them in and tighten the gibs. That’s all there is to it.
The Esta knives did sit a few thousandths higher than I’d had the original blades set, so I had to raise the outfeed table a bit. Getting that right took maybe two minutes, and three or four test cuts. After that, the first board thru the jointer was perfect. No indications of a misaligned knife, just a perfectly smooth cut.
Since then, I’ve run quite a bit of walnut, cherry, and poplar – and even some pine – over those blades, with no evidence of dulling yet. With multiple passes per board, I’d guess five or six hundred lineal feet of cutting so far.
Now for the ‘bad news:’ Cost for the knife holders and ‘four edges’ was $169.00 – so it was about $42.50 per set of edges. That’s quite a bit more than just buying four sets of conventional blades, or two sets and having them resharpened a couple times, but there’s a lot to be said for the convenience involved. Also, when I do eventually need new blades, they’ll only cost $24.00 for a double-edged set (two sets of edges), so that will make future blade changes a lot more economical.
BTW, the initial setup for 8” jointers is about $215.00.
All-in-all, I’m very satisfied with the quality and service from Esta USA. In fact, I like the blades so well that I’m going to buy a set for my 15” planer, too.
If anybody’s interested, there’s more info at: http://www.dispozablade.com
Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Esta USA other than being a very satisfied customer.
I needed a new set of blades anyway, and had long been intrigued by the Esta ads. The very courteous lady who answered the phone told me that they’re having a special this month (December) that includes an extra set of blades with the initial purchase, so I’d be getting four sets of edges (two per blade set) instead of the usual two.
I placed the order on a Tuesday morning, and had the blade setup by Thursday afternoon (NY to Ohio, via UPS).
As advertised by Esta, installation took about ten minutes. The Dispoz-a-Blade setup for 6” and 8” jointers is a bit different than the sets for larger machines. It has little tabs that butt against the top of the blade channel. They work with any jointer head that’s perfectly round (no ledges or indentations at the back of the blade channels). Just drop them in and tighten the gibs. That’s all there is to it.
The Esta knives did sit a few thousandths higher than I’d had the original blades set, so I had to raise the outfeed table a bit. Getting that right took maybe two minutes, and three or four test cuts. After that, the first board thru the jointer was perfect. No indications of a misaligned knife, just a perfectly smooth cut.
Since then, I’ve run quite a bit of walnut, cherry, and poplar – and even some pine – over those blades, with no evidence of dulling yet. With multiple passes per board, I’d guess five or six hundred lineal feet of cutting so far.
Now for the ‘bad news:’ Cost for the knife holders and ‘four edges’ was $169.00 – so it was about $42.50 per set of edges. That’s quite a bit more than just buying four sets of conventional blades, or two sets and having them resharpened a couple times, but there’s a lot to be said for the convenience involved. Also, when I do eventually need new blades, they’ll only cost $24.00 for a double-edged set (two sets of edges), so that will make future blade changes a lot more economical.
BTW, the initial setup for 8” jointers is about $215.00.
All-in-all, I’m very satisfied with the quality and service from Esta USA. In fact, I like the blades so well that I’m going to buy a set for my 15” planer, too.
If anybody’s interested, there’s more info at: http://www.dispozablade.com
Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Esta USA other than being a very satisfied customer.