Northfied 12" jointer

[Steve Mathews]

I've been looking for a 12" jointer, particularly one made by Northfield. They apparently have a belt drive version and one direct drive. Is one preferred over the other. I would think the belt drive advantageous since it might be easier to change the motor. Any thoughts on this?

[Darcy Warner]

Direct drive fans will tell you its because they are so smooth, yes they are. A motor rewind will cost more than a used motor for belt drive machine, but not much more than new motor.

I like belt drive because you can speed them up a bit compared to 3600 DD machines.

I would take either one though.

[Casey Carr]

So how do you speed a belt drive jointer up? And what is the benefit? I have one of these, but I've never used it.

[Zachary Hoyt]

You change the speed on a belt drive by changing pulley size on the motor or the driven shaft.
Zach

[Andrew Hughes]

Steve I reckon it’s worth the drive to Prescott to see first hand. And that’s a very decent price

Good Luck

[Casey Carr]

Okay, I guess I should have figured that one out, was thinking electrically, not mechanically speeding it up. What is the benefit?

[Darcy Warner]

More knife Mark's per inch.
You can feed faster and still get excellent finish.

[Steve Mathews]

Steve I reckon it’s worth the drive to Prescott to see first hand. And that’s a very decent price

Good Luck

Seems I've made this mistake b4.

[Matt Day]

I’ve got an NF12 with a DD motor and it’s been great. It’s 3 phase and I use it with a VFD. In fact it was Miss August this year on the OWWM calendar.

[John Sincerbeaux]

I've been looking for a 12" jointer, particularly one made by Northfield. They apparently have a belt drive version and one direct drive. Is one preferred over the other. I would think the belt drive advantageous since it might be easier to change the motor. Any thoughts on this?

A stock Northfield 12” 3HP belt drive gives a cutterhead rpm of 4500 opposed to 3600 rpm on the stock 3HP DD.

Curious what price are they asking? What condition?

I searched pretty hard and long for my 16HD. I am still amazed at how much certain dealers are asking for Northfield jointers that look to be pretty trashed.

[John Sincerbeaux]

I’ve got an NF12 with a DD motor and it’s been great. It’s 3 phase and I use it with a VFD. In fact it was Miss August this year on the OWWM calendar.

Matt, can you post a pic of your Miss August? Jointer that is.

[Andrew Hughes]

I was referring Steve to a Northfield on Cl in Prescott. Listed at 1500.00
When was on the scout for a quest jointer.
I spend more then a year looking and checking out different leads. I finally found a what I was looking for I’m glad I didn’t settle.
Condition of the tables were the most important part for me.
They need to be inspected in person with a machinist straight edge.
I already did my time paid my tuition using jointers with worn warped tables.

Good Luck

[David Kumm]

Condition and how flat the table are are more important than belt vs direct drive. A jointer is not a finish machine so cuts per inch is less important than long flat tables. Northfield originally spec'd their tables at .002-.004 across the entire 8' of length. Martin might do that but few others and no jointer under 10K new will be that tight in tolerance. Dave

[Steve Mathews]

So how do you go about checking the jointer table for flatness? I would like to include this in my inspection on one in a few days.

[John Sincerbeaux]

I bought my NF 16HD over the phone in less than an hour after it was posted for sale on another website. My inspection was a “walk-around” via FaceTime. To this day, I have never checked the tables for flatness.
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