Jointer/Planer Question

[Izzy Charo]

I have an 8 inch DJ-20 jointer (with Byrd head) that I've had for 30 years, and works well. I also have the Grizzly 15 inch planer with spiral head, which after much time devoted to adjustments, now also works well. But I'd love a wider jointer, and the MiniMax FS41E 16 inch J/P looks attractive, and could replace both of those machines. For those who have that machine (or the comparable Felder version) my question is whether the tables stay co-planer as you switch back/forth between jointer and planer functions? I spent a long afternoon getting my DJ-20 tables co-planer (or as close as I could get them) I would not want to be doing that frequently on a combination machine, if that is the trade-off for having a wider jointer...
Thanks!
Izzy

[Erik Loza]

Izzy, I've sold plenty of both Euro brands you mentioned. In my experience, unless the owner is abusive or does things like drag/move the machine around by the jointer tables, they will not go out of alignment or need further adjustment. It's one of the reasons you spend bigger bucks: So you're not having to mess with the machine all the time. Hope this helps,

Erik

[Phil Gaudio]

I have the FS41e and the table do stay in alignment. I do make sure that there is no saw dust on the contact points for the infeed/outfeed tables each time I set them down. Seems to work for me. I have not moved the machine since I planted it in its current position two years ago.

[Jim Becker]

What Erik said...these are all fine machines and are designed to stay dead on over time. I've had to do ZERO adjustment to my J/P purchased in the mid-2000s. And that was "right out of the crate", as it were.

[Phil Gaudio]

I am fairly confident that you won't have to worry about the J/P staying in adjustment. Getting it in alignment in the first place is a whole different issue. I believe that there is a significant chance that the alignment "out of the crate" may not be up to your standards: it wasn't for me.

[Curt Harms]

Izzy, I've sold plenty of both Euro brands you mentioned. In my experience, unless the owner is abusive or does things like drag/move the machine around by the jointer tables, they will not go out of alignment or need further adjustment. It's one of the reasons you spend bigger bucks: So you're not having to mess with the machine all the time. Hope this helps,

Erik

This is why I never cared for mounting casters directly to the machine or most mobile bases. How else am I supposed to move the machine without some sort of handles? This was my solution:
Attachment 441378

The downside is that I can't 'spin' the machine, I can turn it but it takes room. I never have to touch the machine to move it though.

[Jim Becker]

This is why I never cared for mounting casters directly to the machine or most mobile bases. How else am I supposed to move the machine without some sort of handles?

My SCM/MiniMax J/P has two integrated casters and a "Johnson bar" that both lifts and swivels the machine. The bar is the handle. There's no touching the machine bed. It's not the most elegant method relative to movement for sure to get something placed exactly (I very rarely move my machine and have marked the floor for the exact position it has to be if I do move it out for maintenance, etc.) But the system works. The commercial base I use for my lathe (again very rarely) works the same way.

[Curt Harms]

My SCM/MiniMax J/P has two integrated casters and a "Johnson bar" that both lifts and swivels the machine. The bar is the handle. There's no touching the machine bed. It's not the most elegant method relative to movement for sure to get something placed exactly (I very rarely move my machine and have marked the floor for the exact position it has to be if I do move it out for maintenance, etc.) But the system works. The commercial base I use for my lathe (again very rarely) works the same way.

It depends on how the machine sits relative to the wall. I'm familiar with the 'Johnson bar' system. I have the short end of the machine against the wall so the lifting/steering bar needs to be on the other short end. The 'Johnson bar' system is optimum if the machine's long side sits against a wall.

[Jim Becker]

Yes, that's true, Curt...parallel to the wall is pretty much required with enough space in that direction to accommodate both the bar and the manuvering. If I had to move my JP with any frequency, I'd want a different solution. But for folks who place the machine, leave it in that spot and only move it for maintenance that requires accessing the back, the solution works just fine.

[Erik Loza]

...parallel to the wall is pretty much required with enough space in that direction to accommodate both the bar and the manuvering...

The reason for that is that the mfr. (doesn't matter, Italian or Austrian) wants the machine resting on it's frame when not being wheeled around for maximum stability. Obviously, if the customer's floor is not level and they had a dolly-type mobility kit, the machine could rock during use. That being said, pretty much any of these already have holes in the frame that could accept some type of caster. if I wanted wheels at every corner and budget was not a concern, I would put Zambus or Great Lakes leveling casters on it. A universal dolly-type base would be the budget option but like Jim mentions, if a mobility solution already comes with the machine, save yourself the $$$.

Erik

[Jim Becker]

The reason for that is that the mfr. (doesn't matter, Italian or Austrian) wants the machine resting on it's frame when not being wheeled around for maximum stability. Obviously, if the customer's floor is not level and they had a dolly-type mobility kit, the machine could rock during use.

Yes, I neglected to mention that I like that my J/P is sitting with the cabinet directly on the floor. It. Doesn't. Move.

[Erik Loza]

This is why I never cared for mounting casters directly to the machine or most mobile bases. How else am I supposed to move the machine without some sort of handles?...

I've not personally had an issue with caster-type mobility kits on J/P's (a million customers with Portmate/HTC-type dollies). The worry is more when trying to move the machine off the pallet or pushing it across a concrete floor by itself. I guess if you had casters and were worried about it, you could always drill a couple of holes in the cabinet and mount some generic handle(s) on there. That's pretty much how the Felder AD's are. Just thinking out loud.

Erik

[Mark e Kessler]

i had a portamate on an ad941 with 4 swiveling wheels it was a nightmare to move around but in the end i kept banging my ankle on the wheel which is why I took it off. Narrow pallet jack is they way to go or the Felder mobility kit.
4B770DAA-0323-462A-8577-E21895E45372.jpg

I've not personally had an issue with caster-type mobility kits on J/P's (a million customers with Portmate/HTC-type dollies). The worry is more when trying to move the machine off the pallet or pushing it across a concrete floor by itself. I guess if you had casters and were worried about it, you could always drill a couple of holes in the cabinet and mount some generic handle(s) on there. That's pretty much how the Felder AD's are. Just thinking out loud.

Erik

[Erik Loza]

...Narrow pallet jack is they way to go or the Felder mobility kit...

I agree but interestingly, 99% of customers would rather buy the mobility kit than buy a pallet jack.

Erik

[Jim Becker]

I agree but interestingly, 99% of customers would rather buy the mobility kit than buy a pallet jack.

I've often thought about getting a pallet jack...and what's kept me from doing it is...space to store it and infrequent use. The two times I needed to move the slider (when new and when I cut it down) I rented one, however.