Best Benchtop Jointer & Wood Jointer In 2023/2024

Wood jointers come in a few different types and models.

It makes sense that you might be trying to figure out what the best wood jointer, or best benchtop jointer is for you.

If you are really stuck – you might like to read this guide about 17 tips for buying the best jointer for you.

This guide should help you pick the best wood jointer for you.

We discuss brands like Shop Fox, JET, Powermatic, WEN, Delta, and PORTER-CABLE & more.

Although this guide is about jointers, if you are looking to read about joining (biscuit joiner) power tools, you can read more in Best Biscuit & Plate Joiner: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews.

If you are running short on time, you can check out the top jointer list below, or read the guide in full.

 

(*Friendly Disclosure – links to retailers or brands on this page may include affiliate links, and we may receive a commission when you purchase through these links)

 

Top Rated Benchtop Jointer List

 

Best 6 Inch Benchtop Jointer – Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer (on Amazon)

Best Straight Cutterhead 6 Inch Jointer – Powermatic 54a Jointer (on Amazon)

Best Helical Cutterhead 6 Inch Jointer – Powermatic 54hh 6 Inch jointer (on Amazon)

Best 8 Inch Standard Cutterhead Jointer – Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Jointer (on Amazon)

Best 8 Inch Helical Cutterhead Jointer – JET JWJ-8HH, 8″ Helical Head Jointer (on Amazon)

Best 12 Inch Jointer Planer Combo Machine – JET JJP-12 Jointer Planer (on Amazon) (Straight Cutterhead), and JET JJP-12HH with Helical Cutterhead (on Amazon) (Helical Cutterhead)

 

Best Benchtop Jointer Reviews

 

Cheap Benchtop Jointers

 

Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer

This jointer is for those who want an affordable, small, mobile, spiral cutterhead 6 inch benchtop jointer.

Check Price – View the Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Price is quite affordable
• Overall size and weight means it won’t take up much room in a garage or workshop
• Easy to transport
• Motor is 10 AMP/115 V AC, 11,000 RPM
• Table size is 30″ X 6 3/16″ – total length of the tables is 30″ or 2.5 feet
• Table are made of aluminium alloy
• Fence size is 4 1/4″ X 19 3/4″
• Quite light at only 40lbs in weight
• Max depth of cut is 1/8″ – fully adjustable tables
• Cutterhead is 2″ diameter with 12 x Two-sided Inserts HSS (high speed steel)
• Fence can be adjusted/tilted from 90 to 135 Degrees (can perform mitre cuts)
• Dust port is 2.5 inches
• Includes push blocks and cutterhead changing tools

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here –  Cutech 6 Inch 40160H-CT Benchtop Jointer.

 

Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop Jointer, 6-Inch

This jointer is for those who want an affordable, small, mobile, standard cutterhead 6 inch benchtop jointer.

Check Price – View the Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop Jointer, 6-Inch on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Affordable 6 inch jointer
• Doesn’t take up much space
• Easy to move around
• Capable of performing surface planing, edge jointing and bevel cuts
• 1-1/2 horsepower, 110V, 12 amp, single-phase Motor
• Cuts at 10,000 RPM, 20,000 cuts per minute
• Two-knife HSS cutter head
• 2-1/2-inch dust port
• Fully adjustable fence 45-degrees inward, 90-degrees, and 45-degrees outward (135-degrees) 
• Fence size is 22-7/8″ x 4-3/8″
• Cast iron table size is 28-1/2″ x 6-1/4″ – consider this for length and width of lumber you want to feed through
• Depth of cut easily adjustable with table adjusting knob
• Comes with orange push blocks

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop jointer.

 

WEN 6560 10-Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer with Filter Bag

This jointer is for those who want an affordable, small, mobile, standard cutterhead 6 inch benchtop jointer.

It’s one of the cheapest small benchtop jointers on the market.

Check Price – View the WEN 6560 10-Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer with Filter Bag on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Extremely cheap
• Easy to move around – fairly portable
• 6-1/4 x 28-1/2 inch table
• Cast iron base
• 10 Amp Motor
• Will do 20,000 cuts per minute
• Two-blade 6-1/8 inch Cutterhead
• 22-3/4 x 4-1/2 inch fence bevels up to 45 degrees in either direction (can perform mitred cuts)
• Infeed table can be adjusted anywhere from 0 to 1/10 of an inch to adjust depth of cut
• Includes dust port, filter bag, push stick and push block

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – WEN 6560 6 Inch Benchtop jointer here.

 

Delta Power Tool 37-071 6 Inch MIDI Benchtop Jointer

This jointer is for those who want an affordable, small, mobile, standard cutterhead 6 inch benchtop jointer.

If there is one advantage this jointer has over the other 6 inch jointers, it’s that its made mainly of cast iron and not aluminium.

Check Price – View the Delta Power Tools 37-071 6 Inch MIDI-Bench Jointer on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Affordable jointer
• Easier to move around than the bigger production models – doesn’t take up too much space in a workshop
• Cast iron construction and cast iron fence
• Has a 12 Amp, 120 Volt, 1 Phase, 60 Hz, Universal motor
• Cutter head speed is 10,000 RPM
• Maximum number of cuts per minute is 20,000
• Maximum depth of cut is 1/8 in.
• Cutterhead dimension is 1 7/8 in.
• Simple jackscrew arrangement offers easy adjustment when changing knives in cutterhead
• Maximum width of cut is 6 inches
• Fence dimensions are 4 5/16 in. D x 22 7/8 in. W
• Fence has positive stops at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
• Has a standard 2 knife cutterhead
• Table dimensions are 6 1/4 in. x 28 1/2 in.
• Has a 2 1/4 inch wide dust collection opening
• Weighs 76 lbs
• Base dimensions are 11 1/2 in. D x 21 in. W
• Includes a pair of pushblocks

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Delta 6 Inch Benchtop Jointer here.

 

PORTER-CABLE 6 Inch PC160JT Variable Speed Benchtop Jointer

This jointer is for those who want an affordable, small, mobile, standard cutterhead 6 inch benchtop jointer.

We would probably prefer the Cutech or Delta though.

Check Price – View the PORTER CABLE PC160JT 6 Inch Benchtop Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Affordable
• Small, light and mobile compared to more expensive jointers
• 10 Amp, 120 volt motor
• Has a variable 6,000 to 11,000 rpm Speed Range
• Two knife cutter head with jack screw knife leveling arrangement for easy replacement and adjustment of knives
• Cuts up to 6 inch wide boards, and table length is 30 inches
• Has a centre mounted fence for better support through out your cut
• Fence is 19.75-in L x 4.25-in W, and is aluminium
• Fence is adjustable and tilts 45 degrees for mitre cuts
• Max cutting depth is 0.125 inches
• Weighs only 35lbs

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – PORTER CABLE 6 Inch benchtop jointer.

 

Grizzly G0725 6 by 28-Inch Benchtop Jointer

This is another cast iron benchtop jointer like the Delta.

It’s a dual cutterhead, 6 inch, mobile, affordable jointer.

Check Price – View the Grizzly 6 Inch G0725 6 Inch On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Affordable compared to a closed stand jointer
• Small and mobile compared to the heavy steel closed stand and ground stand jointers – weighs only 80 lbs
• Motor is 1-1/2 HP, 110V, single-phase – make sure your powerpoints are rated for this type of voltage
• One good thing we will say about the Grizzly, like the Delta benchtop jointer, is that it has a cast iron table and fence – unlike other benchtop jointers which are aluminium. This cast iron makes for a sturdier construction than the aluminium models.
• Table size is 28-1/2 inches long x 6-1/4 inches wide
• Fence size is 22-7/8 inches long x 4-5/16 inches high
• Fence is adjustable and stops at 45°, 90° and 135°
• Cutterhead is a dual knife cutterhead
• Max cutterhead cuts per minute is 20,000 – at an RPM of 10,000
• Has a maximum depth of cut of 1/8″

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Grizzly GO725 6 Inch benchtop jointer.

 

Mid-Priced Jointers

 

JET JJ-6CSDX 6 Inch Deluxe Jointer with Quick Set Knives

The JET JJ-6CSDX is a 6 inch, Quick Set knife cutterhead jointer with a grounded enclosed base.

Check Price – View the JET JJ-6CSDX 6 Inch Deluxe Jointer with Quick Set Knives on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• High quality steel construction – especially he enclosed cabinet – very strong and sturdy
• Cast iron table
• Has easy to use handwheels
• Has a 1 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 13 Amp motor
• Motor is 115/230-volt TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled), but pre-wired to 115 volts
• Table size is 56 inches long x 7-3/8 wide
• Has a 3 knife cutterhead where the knife size is 6-1/6 x 3/4 x 5/64
• The cutterhead speed is 6000 RPM
• Can cut timber up to 6-1/16 inches wide
• Can cut up to a depth of  1/2 inch
• Height of the table from the floor is 31-1/4 inches
• Rabbeting limit of 1/2 an inch, and the rabbeting ledge is 3-1/8 x 8-3/4 inches
• Fence dimensions are 32-3/4 (L) x 3-7/8 (H) inches
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees to both the left and right
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 L, 90 R
• Decent sized dust port of 4 inches
• Good for making doors, tabletops, and other furniture pieces
• Includes one stand with motor, one stand cover with mounting hardware, one dust chute with mounting hardware, one bed assembly, one fence assembly, one cutterhead guard, one belt guard, one V-belt, four 1/4-20 x 1/2 pan head screws, four 1/4 flat washers, one lock handle, flat washer and lock nut for the fence, one fence handle, three lock bolts, three 3/8-inch lock washers, two handwheel assemblies, one can of touch-up paint, manual, warranty card, and two push blocks.

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – JET JJ-6CSDX .

 

JET – JJ-6HHDX 6-Inch Long Bed Helical Head Jointer

The JET – JJ-6HHDX is a 6 inch, spiral/helical cutterhead joitner which is ground based.

Check Price – View the JET JJ-6HHDX 6-Inch, Long Bed Helical Head Jointer on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• For woodworkers that want a quality jointer and can be a workshop or production type jointer
• Strong steel stand provides a strong base
• Has a 1 HP, 1 phase, 13 Amp motor
• Has a helical cutterhead that is 2-1/2 inches in diameter with 27 knives in total
• Cutterhead speed of 6000 RPM
• Can cut timber up to 6 inches wide
• Has handwheels on the front of the machine for adjustments
• Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• High quality cast iron table
• Overall table size is 56 inches long x 7-3/8 inches wide
• Outfeed table is 27-3/8 inches long whilst the infeed table is 27 inches
• Height of the table from the floor is 31-1/4 inches
• Fence size is 32-3/4 inches long x 3-7/8 inches high
• Fence has positive stops at 45 L, 45, 90 R
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees to the left or right
• Helical knife size is 6-1/16 x 3/4 x 5/64 inches
• Dust port is a decent size at 4 inches diameter

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – JET JJ-6HHDX.

 

Powermatic 54A Deluxe 6-Inch Jointer with Quick-Set Knives

The Powermatic 54A Deluxe is an electric 6 Inch Jointer Quick Set/Straight cutterhead jointer.

It also has a grounded base, and steel and cast iron construction like the JET, along with a 60+ inch table.

Check Price – View the Powermatic 54a Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• 6 Inch Jointer (means is has a capacity for up to 6 inch wide pieces of wood)
• Has a 1 horsepower, 1 Phase, 115 (can be converted to 230 volt though), 13 Amp motor – with a recommended 20 amp circuit size
• Max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• Quick set straight knife cutterhead – 3 knives which are 6-1/6 x 3/4 x 5/64 inches in size
• Cutterhead speed is 6000 RPM which produces 18,000 cuts per minute
• Table size is 66 inches long x 7-1/4 inches wide
• Height of table from the floor is 31-1/2 inches
• Infeed and outfeed tables are both 32-1/2 inches long
• Fence is 38 inches long x 4 inches high
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees either way
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90, -45 inches
• Rabbeting ledge is 9 x 2-1/2 inches, with a 1/2 inch capacity
• CFM required for dust collection is 600 – 4 inch diameter dust port
• Comes with the jointer unit, one jointer stand, one door with mounting hardware, one dust chute with mounting hardware, one jointer assembly, one fence assembly, one pulley cover, one belt, one cutter-head guard, two hold-downs, one hardware bag, one fence handle, all necessary tools, manual, and warranty card.

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Powermatic 54a.

 

Powermatic 1791317K 54HH 6-Inch Jointer with Helical Cutterhead

The Powermatic 1791317K 54HH 6-Inch Jointer with Helical Cutterhead is essentially the helical head version of the above Powermatic 54A .

If you prefer the helical cutterhead with 40 four-sided indexable carbide knife inserts, over the 3 straight head cutter blades, have a look at this one.

Powermatic’s intent with the helical head was to provide a smoother cut, and quieter operation.

Check Price – View the Powermatic 54hh 6 Inch jointer On Amazon

• 6 Inch (table can fit up to 6 inch wide timber lengths) Helical cutterhead Jointer
• Has a 1 horsepower, 1 Phase, 115 volt pre-wired (can be converted to 230 volt though), 13 Amp motor – with a recommended 20 amp circuit size
• Max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• Has a helical knife cutterhead – 40 knives which are 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches in size – requires no adjustment once installed
• Helical cutterhead is claimed to be quiter and smoother than the straight cutterhead
• Cutterhead speed is 6000 RPM
• Table size is 66 inches long x 7-1/4 inches wide
• Height of table from the floor is 31-1/2 inches
• Infeed and outfeed tables are both 32-1/2 inches long
• Fence is 38 inches long x 4 inches high
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees either way
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90, -45 inches
• CFM required for dust collection is 600 – 4 inch diameter dust port
• Has a massive manual on Powermatic’s website
• Comes with the jointer unit; one stand; one door with mounting hardware; one dust chute with mounting hardware; one fence assembly; one pulley cover; one belt; one cutterhead guard; two push blocks; one fence handle; one manual; one warranty card; and one hardware bag.

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Powermatic 54HH.

 

Higher Priced Jointers

 

Grizzly G0654 Jointer, 6 x 46-Inch

This is a ground set jointer, with a built in mobile base, 3 knife cutterhead, and 7-1/2 x 46 inches table.

Check Price – View the Grizzly G0654 Jointer, 6 x 46-Inch On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• You don’t need to buy a separate mobile base – it comes with one in-built, and also a kick stand
• Has a 1 HP, 110-volt, single-phase motor
• Table size is 7-1/2 x 46 inches – consider this when determining size of wood you can cut
• Maximum depth of cut is 1/8-inch
• Maximum rabbeting capacity is 1/2-inch
• Cutterhead diameter: is 2-1/2 inches
• Cutterhead knives are 3 HSS blades
• Cutterhead speed of 4800 RPM
• The height of the table from the floor in 33-3/8 inches
• Fence size is 4-1/2 inches high x 29-3/8 inches long
• Has an adjustable fences with stops at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
• Approximate shipping weight is 240 pounds
• Has a decent sized 4 inc h dust port

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Grizzly 6 inch jointer.

 

Powermatic 1610079 Model PJ882 8-Inch 2 Horsepower Parallelogram Jointer, 230-Volt 1 Phase

A very heavy, strong jointer, with a huge 80+ inch long table.

The parallelogram design is for keeping the tables more closely aligned, and this jointer is for high quality finishes.

Check Price – View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Top quality jointer
• HUGE table for the longer pieces of wood
• Parrallelogram design keeps the table in close proximity to the cutterhead for improved finish and allows for a fast depth of cut adjustment. This design also insures the table remains perfectly parallel
• 3 knife cutterhead with standard knives that are 8 x 11/16 x 1/8 inches
• Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM – which is 21,000 cuts per minute
• Cutterhead diameter is 3-1/16 inches
• Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
• Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• Table size is 82 inches long x 8 inches wide
• Table is 31-5/16 inches from the floor
• 44 inch long infeed table
• 38 inch long outfeed table
• 1/2 inch rabbeting max capacity
• Fence size is 38-3/16 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
• CFM of 600 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
• Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
• Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
• Comes with magnetic base push blocks

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Powermatic PJ882 Parallelogram jointer.

 

Powermatic 1610082 PJ-882HH 8-Inch Parallelogram Jointer with Helical Cutterhead

Similar to the above Parrallelogram jointer. This model doesn’t have a rabbeting ledge.

It does have helical cutters for a smooth finish and quiet operation though.

Check Price – View the Powermatic PJ-882HH 8 Inch Parallelogram Helical Head Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Parallelogram design helps maintain table parallelism and eases table raising and lowering
• 54 knife helical cutterhead with helical knives that are 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches
• Helical cuttherhead is designed to provide a smoother cut and operate more quietly
• Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM
• Cutterhead diameter is 3-1/16 inches
• Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
• Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• Table size is 82 inches long x 8 inches wide
• Table is 31-5/16 inches from the floor
• 44 inch long infeed table
• 38 inch long outfeed table
• Fence size is 38 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
• CFM of 450 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
• Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
• Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
• Enclosed steel stand
• Comes with PJ-882HH Jointer; one cutterhead guard; two push blocks; one four-millimeter hex wrench; one five-millimeter hex wrench; two star-point screwdrivers; 10 knife insert screws; five knife inserts; owner’s manual; and warranty card.

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – PJ-882HH.

 

Powermatic 1610086K Model 60HH 8-Inch 2 HP 1-Phase Jointer with Helical Cutterhead

The Powermatic 60HH is for those looking for a high quality, stable, long table, 8 inch jointer.

The helical cutterhead model is better in our opinion than the 3 knife model.

Check Price – View the Powermatic 60HH 8 Inch Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• 54 knife cutterhead with helical knives that are 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches
• Helical cuttherhead is designed to provide a smoother cut and operate more quietly
• Cutterhead has a 7,000RPM
• Can cut up to 8 inch wide lumber
• Has a max cutting depth of 1/2 an inch
• Table size is 73 inches long x 8-1/2 inches wide
• Table is 32 inches from the floor
• 35 1/4 inch long infeed table
• 35 1/2 inch long outfeed table
• Fence size is 38 inches long x 4-3/4 inches high
• Fence can tilt 45 degrees each way
• Fence has positive stops at 45, 90 and -45 degrees
• Has a rabbeting capacity of 1/2 inch
• CFM of 450 required for any dust collection system hooked into the dust outlet
• Dust outlet diameter is 4 inches
• Has a 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volt motor – 9 Amps
• Comes with magnetic base push blocks

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – Powermatic 60HH.

 

JET JWJ-8CS, 8″ Closed Stand Jointer

The JET 708458K JJ-8CS is an 8 inch ground based straight cutterhead jointer. It’s made of cast iron and steel construction.

It has a long bed for the longer pieces of timber, and is definitely a jointer for workshop type wood workers.

Check Price – View the JET JWJ-8CS, 8″ Closed Stand Jointer on Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Very strong steel enclosed stand – makes for stable operation
• Machined cast iron table
• Has a huge 72 (long) x 9 (wide) inch table
• Motor is 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volts and 12 Amps
• 3 knife cutterhead with a knife size of 8 x 11/16 x 1/8 inches
• Cutterhead spins at 5500 RPM for 16,500 cuts per minute
• Can cut lengths of wood up to 8 inches wide
• Table is 72 x 9 inches
• Has a 1/2 inch cutting depth capacity
• Table height is 31-1/4 inches
• 1/2 inch rabbeting capacity
• Rabbeting ledge is 3-1/8 x 8-3/4 inches
• Fence size is 38-1/2 inches long x 4-3/4 high
• Fence can tilt either way – 45 left, or 45 degrees right
• Fence has positive stops at 45 L, 90, 45 R
• You will need a dust collection system with a CFM of 350 CFM – dust port is 4 inches in diameter

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – JET 708458K JJ-8CS review.

 

JET JWJ-8HH, 8″ Helical Head Jointer

The JET JWJ-8HH is an 8 inch helical head ground base jointer, which is made of cast iron through the table and steel through the base.

It’s very high quality and strong (but is also heavy), and has a super long bed for longer pieces of timber.

The helical cutterhead shears the timber instead of shopping it like a straight cutterhead, and is also quieter.

Check Price – View the JET JWJ-8HH, 8″ Helical Head Jointer On Amazon

What’s Good About It?

• Very strong steel enclosed stand – makes for stable operation
• Machined cast iron table
• Has a huge 72 (long) x 9 (wide) inch table
• Motor is 2 Horsepower, 1 Phase, 230 volts and 20 Amps
• 36 knife helical cutterhead with a knife size of 15 x 15 x 2.5 inches – JET’s own helical cutterhead produces a smoother and quieter cut
• Cutterhead spins at 5500 RPM for 16,500 cuts per minute
• Can cut lengths of wood up to 8 inches wide
• Table is 72 x 9 inches
• Has a 1/2 inch cutting depth capacity
• Table height is 31-1/4 inches
• Fence size is 38-1/2 inches long x 4-3/4 high
• Fence can tilt either way – 45 left, or 45 degrees right
• Fence has positive stops at 45 L, 90, 45 R
• You will need a dust collection system with a CFM of 350 CFM – dust port is 4 inches in diameter

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – JET JWJ-8HH.

 

JET JJP-12 & JJP-12HH 12-Inch Jointer Planer Combos

Jointer planer combo 12 inch machines, with parallelogram design.

Available in either a straight cutterhead, or helical knife model.

Check Price – 

View the JET JJP-12 Jointer Planer On Amazon (Straight Cutterhead)

View the JET JJP-12HH with Helical Cutterhead On Amazon (Helical Cutterhead)

Check out the full review and buyer’s guide here – JET 12 Inch jointer planer combo.

 

Best Benchtop Jointer & Wood Jointer: Buyer’s Guide & FAQ

 

Other Names For A Benchtop Jointer or Wood Jointer

Bench Jointer

Wood Jointer

Table top jointer

 

What Is A Benchtop Jointer, or Wood Jointer?

A benchtop jointer is a smaller and cheaper jointer with a cutterhead, that cuts different depths of lengths of timber.

There are also larger wood jointers that have bases which are ground based. These jointers are usually much heavier and more expensive – but can cut wider or longer pieces of lumber.

 

What Is A Jointer Used For, and What Does AJointer Do?

Jointers are used for flattening the face (called ‘face jointing’) of a length of wood – usually 6″- 8″ inch wide timber.

They can square the edges of rough, warped, or oversized lumber.

Any application where you need fine wood finishes make a jointer power tool useful.

For example, making fine furniture is one such use for a benchtop jointer.

 

Types of Jointers

Jointers are almost always electric (always check what power source the jointer you are looking at requires e.g. 120 or 230 volt?)

Apart from that, they can be loosely categorised into the following types:

Benchtop jointer, or ground based jointer

Different types of cutterheads – straight, spiral and helical cutterheads

Different width tables – 6 inch, 8 inch and 12 inch jointers mainly

Shorter or longer tables (in length)

Capabilities of the tool – Single jointer, or 2 in 1 jointer/planer

 

Another way to categorise them might be:

Benchtop jointers

Ground based/enclosed jointers (with, or without a mobile base)

Thin or wide table jointers – for wood 6 inches wide up to around 12 inch wide

Short or long table jointers (longer tables are for longer pieces of wood)

Standard 2 or 3 knife cutterhead jointers

Helical/Spiral cutterhead jointers

Jointer Planer Combos

 

Jointer Bits & Accessories

Cutterheads – blades are usually interchangable

Table extension – some jointers allow benchtop extensions for longer pieces of wood

Mobile base – the more pricier jointers can be very heavy – so a mobile base can help you move them

Push blocks

 

How To Choose A Jointer – Best Jointer For…

• Best Jointer For The Regular User

A 6 inch benchtop jointer will be fine for most casual users, or users who will only use the tool sparingly

 

• Best Jointer For A Professional Or Long Term User

An 8 inch jointer will be better for you if you are a professional or are looking for a long term jointer.

You will get better quality and the ability to cut a wider range of pieces of wood

 

Features To Look For In A Jointer

Benchtop jointer extension/longer tables

What sort of cutterhead does it have – spiral cutterheads? straight-knife cutterheads? NOTE: straight-knife cutterheads generally deliver the flattest face or edge

built-in mobile bases, or do you have to buy one separately? (helps moving the jointer because they can be heavy)

Is it just a jointer tool, or is it a 2-in-1 jointer/planer tool?

Is there a pedestal mounted power switch?

Can you adjust the height of your infeed and/or outfeed tables (which adjusts the depth of the cut? How fine can you adjust the table? What can you adjust them with – lever, hand wheel, switch?

If you cut pieces of wood greater than 6 foot or 6 inches wide, its best to consider getting a table extension for the outfeed table with you benchtop jointer, or consider an 8 inch jointer

Note that spiral cutter head models need more power than a straight cutter model – because of how often the blades are in contact with the wood

Helical head cutters, and spiral blade cutters leave small grooves on the wood after cutting – which means more planing is required than wood cut with a straight bladed cutter

 

What Size Jointer Should I Get – 6 Inch or 8 Inch?

If you are a homeowner, a DIY’er, or you don’t plan on using your benchtop jointer extensively, a 6 inch tool will be fine for you (as long as you are ok spending a little extra time and effort on bigger and wider boards to cut them).

For a professional, or someone planning to use their benchtop jointer regularly and sees it as a long term investment, get an 8 inch jointer.

The bigger jointers by default will make it much easier to cut both the bigger and smaller stock pieces of timber – saving you time and making you more efficient with your effort and materials.

 

Should I Get A Straight Blade Cutterhead (Quick Set Knives), or Helical/Spiral Cutterhead Jointer?

So, straight cutterhead vs. spiral and helical cutterhead…

The main difference between apart from the way they cut (spiral and helical cutters are either shaped or arranged differently), is the aftermath of the cut.

Our preference is a straight cutter head for the following reasons:

Generally deliver a flatter face/edge (there are some markings on the wood even with straight cutters at higher feed speeds)

Require less planing, scraping, or sanding of the edge after cutting (less time and effort)

Need less horsepower to perform the same cut. There is more load to move on a spiral or helical cutter because 2 or 3 of the cutters are in contact with the wood at a time, compared to one straight cutter which strikes very quickly in alternating fashion. What this means is you might have to feed the wood slower, and you may have to do two thinner/shallower cuts with a helical cutter, compared to one deeper cut on a straight cutter. This takes more time and effort.

 

In our opinion, spiral and helical cutterheads are better for certain types of wood and wood grains, like bird’s-eye maple, red oak, and poplar for example.

Some people also report their spiral or helical head machines are quieter.

 

Safety Tips For Using A Benchtop Jointer

Use the following safety equipment:

Push blocks

Ear Protection

Eye Protection

 

Best Benchtop Jointer Resources

1. https://www.woodstockint.com/ (Shop Fox)

2. http://www.wenproducts.com/

3. https://www.cutechtool.com/

4. http://www.jettools.com/us/en/home/

5. http://www.powermatic.com/us/en/home/

 

 

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