I'm looking to buy a six inch jointer. It's main use will for squaring up blanks, at most three a year. I'm not looking to go on the cheap but don't need production shop quality either. Locally I can buy Jet, Ridgid, Delta and Shop Fox. I can get free shipping on Grizzly and Powermatic from online dealers, base price is inflated a bit for the "free" part. Any opinions welcomed.

I know they ain't cheep but you CAn't go wrong with Powermatic.
Although Jet would be a decent machine as well

I have never heard of shop fox,cant comment there,any of the other will do for you needs.

Brand is not to important. I have been using a Craftsman for 20 years that my Grandfather used for twenty before me and it works just fine. Just make sure anything you buy has spare blades readaly available for it. I would try Craigslist first, alot of guys buy them and never really use them

I would sure recommend an 8" jointer.

+1 for used; +1 for 8". If buying used just be sure you can buy new blades and the machined surface is flat, motor sounds smoothe.

If I might suggest a used machinery dealer or auction .

Old stuff is generally Excellent quality and Bullet proof but Heavy !.

The following are Nice units . In no particular order and as I have an OLDER Oliver which is HUGE 16"

I'm not pushing anyone's brand I also have a smaller 8" unit I picked up from an auction for less a quarter

of what it sold for new . Purchase what you can afford that's practical for your intended usage .

A tip if I may ; An 8" is more versatile than a 6" and spiral cutters are REALLY NICE , but cost more an

also to sharpen but afford less tear out . Remember keep blades CLEAN AND SHARP regardless and Clean an

check your wood " PRIOR " to jointing !. Oh Yea 2HP on 8" is right less than that is iffy !. BOL ...

http://www.lagunatools.com/used/jointer-platinum8_2

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=228439

http://shop.ebay.com/items/oli...adgroup_id=693740145

http://www.grizzly.com/product...gory.aspx?key=450000

I sorta figured a eight inch would be more appropriate. I think I can pass it by the accountant seeing how I just got shot down on a new motorcycle. Ebay has a lot of stuff but most of it is pickup only. I've heard issues of Jet using green castings in the past but sounds like they cleared that up. I'll take a look at what's out there in an eight inch. Thanks for the advice.

quote:

Although Jet would be a decent machine as well

All of my wood working equipment is Jet.....and It's all good stuff....not the cheapest....but the stuff that works at a reasonable price!

I have an 8" Powermatic which I purchased about 8 years back. It has had several thousand stock blanks over it and has not missed a beat. I believe it would do hundreds of thousands without dramas. I am VERY pleased with it for the money.

I have a couple of JET machines and they are a step down in quality, but still quite good. I wish I had spent the extra and got powermatic, but the JET gear is holding up well enough.

A good secondhand machine is well worth consideration.

Are new Powermatics made in Taiwan?

My father-in-law does a lot of woodworking; nice high end stuff; he uses a Rigid Jointer

Older is better usually, but condition, condition, condition.8" delta, powermatic, Oliver, Walker turner.You can do small job on big machine,lot harder to do big job on small machine.

One thing I've found with Jet and Powermatic is people either love them or received a unit with beds or fences that aren't true and are pulling their hair out. I've read they are owned by the same company and had a run of machines where they used "green castings". Appearently they must sit for awhile before being machined. Not a metal guy, does this sound right? Sorta leaning towards a powermatic but it's a bit tough to throw in the truck and return it if it's a lemon.

Look at used machinery auctions you may be pleasantly surprised at going rates , as A good deal of furniture

business has moved off shore !. Surplus QUALITY commercial machinery is in abundance .

It makes me ill to think about how many people in this great nation , have been affected over the last 20 plus

years with off shore labor sell outs !

As our nation has become an import depot , which is costing every single person far MORE than they can afford

or imagine !. Sorry didn't mean to rant ; Good Luck take a peak ;

http://www.irsauctions.com/ind...s.asp?ind=50&flash=2

http://www.irsauctions.com/ind...h.asp?ind=50&flash=2

http://www.professionalmachine...WD-6ICFQdGagod7ELGgg

http://www.mlsmachinery.com/

Nothing currently on MLS in size category .

http://www.sismachinery.com/CG...T&LOCATION=&x=17&y=9

IMO the very best resource for nearly anything you might need to find regardless of state one resides in .
http://www.thomasnet.com/prods...oodworking+machinery

I also use this outfit http://www.murphyauction.com/

Is there any real advantage to the Parallelogram Jointer? I understand the stated benefit but is it a fix for seldom seen co-planer issues? I'm over thinking this purchase. I'd pull out my hair if I had some.