Scholars of Sawmill Creek - I am hoping to get some opinions on "what would you do" from those more knowledgeable than I:
Background: Been a hobby woodworker on a budget for 20 years. Have a well-equipped shop, but with limitations (ex: 6 in Jet Jointer, 13 inch lunchbox planer, 14" PM bandsaw, 10" Jet Tablesaw, a few RAS, etc). I have been venturing more toward the neanderthal end of the pool for a while, but still enjoy power tools. My biggest limitation in what I try to do has always been the jointer. I've made it work, but I have been planning for 15 years to upgrade once I got my first real job. Which I have recently done (yes, took 15 years). So, #1 item on my to-get list is a big jointer. I finally have the space (30x80), power (but no three phase, and naive about conversion), funds. So help me spend my money. Budget ~ 12k. With projections to have a decent yearly budget moving forward. But I want a jointer first
Options:
1. Felder 741 + bells/whistles (spiral head, power drive height adjustment). Pros - obvious. Cons - somewhat shorter table, not completely sold on combo machine etc etc. Despite (barely) being within budget, it is a big chunk of $. Oh, and a 40+ week waitlist.
2. Grizzly: I can pickup a 16" jointer with spiral head for 7k (this), and a 20" planer with spiral head (something like this) and be under budget and add more capability. Pros: Separates, more capability, probably? sooner delivery. Cons: Perhaps less quality, but this ain't a production shop. Takes more floor space, but not really an issue.
3. Something like a Hammer A3-41, and take the savings and buy something like this.
4. Something else???
I would appreciate any and all thoughts. Curious to what you say. Thanks.