When it comes to discussing the best benchtop jointer planer, you have two main options.
One is the JET 8 Inch benchtop jointer planer, and the other is the JET 10 inch benchtop jointer planer with a steel stand that can also allow you to make it a floor operated jointer planer.
Both of these options are much cheaper, lighter and more mobile than the 12 inch jointer planers offered by JET – so they are great for people with limited space or who are on a budget.
Let’s look at each of these benchtop jointer planers in more detail …
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Benchtop Jointer Planers
If you don’t have time to read the review and buyer’s guide, you can check out the jointer planers and prices here…
8 Inch Model – View the JET JJP-8BT On Amazon
10 Inch Model – View the JET 10 Inch JJP-10BTOS Jointer Planer Combo On Amazon
Best Benchtop Jointer Planer: Reviews
Jet JJP-8BT 8-Inch Bench Top Jointer/Planer
- A cheap/affordable option
- Very lightweight and easy to move around – only 58.4 lbs
- Jointer max cutting width is 8 inches
- Jointer max cutting depth is 1/8 inches
- Jointer table size is 29 inches long x 8-1/4 inches wide
- Standard 2 knife cutterhead
- Has a feed rate of 19.5 feet per minute
- Planer max cutting depth is .08 inches
- Planer cutting thickness range is .20 – 4.92 inches
- Planer table size is 10-5/8 x 8-1/2 inches
- Fence size is 4-1/8 height x 21 long in inches
- Not the most accurate or precise jointer/planer
- Table and fence won’t always stay level or precise
Read more about the JET 8 Inch Jointer/Planer here.
Jet JJP-10BTOS 10-Inch Bench-Top Jointer/Planer w/ Steel Stand
- Can be a benchtop jointer/planer, or used with it’s steel stand to be a ground based jointer/planer
- A cheap/affordable option
- Very lightweight and easy to move around – only 73.9 lbs
- Jointer max cutting width is 10 inches
- Jointer max cutting depth is 1/8 inches
- Jointer table size is 36 inches long x 10-1/4 wide
- Standard 2 knife cutterhead
- Has a feed rate of 19.5 feet per minute
- Planer max cutting depth is .08 inches
- Planer cutting thickness range is .20 – 4.72 inches
- Planer table size is 10-3/4 (length) x 10-1/2 (width) inches
- Fence size is 4-7/8 height x 25 long in inches
- Not the most accurate or precise jointer/planer
- Table and fence won’t always stay level or precise
Read more about the JET 10 Inch Jointer/Planer here.
Best Benchtop Jointer Planer: Buyer’s Guide
What Is A Benchtop Jointer Planer?
A benchtop jointer planer is a 2 in 1 combination tool that allows the function to both joint (flatten the face and square an edge) and plane/thickness (cut layers off the remaining edge so the piece of timber is the same thickness across its whole length) a twisted and uneven length of wood.
Benchtop Jointer Planer vs. Closed Stand Jointer Planer
Benchtop jointer planers can be operated from a benchtop or raised surface that allows access to the machine at your working level.
They are usually much cheaper, lighter and more mobile than a closed stand jointer planer.
Some benchtop jointer planers like the 10 Inch JET model above have a detachable steel stand which allows them to operate from a benchtop or the ground.
Closed stand jointer planers are freestanding on the ground without the need for a benchtop.
They are much heavier than benchtop jointers and more expensive, but are made of much better quality materials like steel and cast iron – and are usually much more precise, accurate, require less adjustment and usually give you a better standard of finish.
Types Of Benchtop Jointer Planers
Benchtop jointer planers can mainly be categorised by the width of wood they can joint or plane on the jointer table.
For example – the above jointer planers are 8 and 10 inch jointer planers.
What Are Benchtop Jointer Planers Used For
As we mentioned above, a jointer planer is used to joint (flatten the face and square an edge) and plane/thickness (cut layers off the remaining edge so the piece of timber is the same thickness across its whole length) a twisted and uneven length of wood.
They are good for woodworkers, cabinet makers, furniture makers and carpenters.
Any application where you need to have a flat, square, even thickness and ultimately finely finished piece of wood – a jointer planer would be suitable.
The above models could be used by beginners, or professionals. Although, a professional would strongly consider a better quality jointer planer like the 12 inch machine.
How To Choose A Benchtop Jointer Planer – Which To Choose
From the models above, you’d choose depending on:
1) Table width
Figure out the maximum width of timber you need to flatten or thickness, and get a suitably sized table on both the jointer and planer tables.
2) Table length
Don’t just look at the total length of the jointer and planer tables, but the individual lengths of the infeed and outfeed tables to get an idea of what length timber you can feed into the machine.
3) Feed rate – look at the product brochure, or product technical specifications.
They should give you a feet per minute (FPM) number – which tells you how many feet of timber per minute you can feed through the machine.
A higher feed rate indicates the machine is better designed to be a production type jointer planer.
4) Ground Stand
Do you want the option to operate the planer jointer from the ground aswell as a benchtop?
If so, get a planer jointer with a steel stand.
Features To Look For In A Benchtop Jointer Planer
Fence length and height
Can the fence tilt?
Does the fence have positive stops?
Table length – infeed and outfeed tables
Table width – for determining width of timber you can feed into the machine
Type of cutterhead – straight, or helical
Motor Amps
Motor Horsepower
Motor Phase
Motor voltage – do you have this voltage available in your workshop?
Feed rate of the machine
What depth capacity does the joiner have?
What depth ranges and capacities does the planer have?
Does the machine have a rabbeting ledge on the jointer?
Is the machine a benchtop mounted machine, or can it stand on the ground?
What are the control wheels and adjustment controls like?
What accessories does the machine come with – are push blocks included?
How much does the machine weigh?
Do you need a mobile base to move the machine around?
How big is the dust port?
What CFM shop vac or dust collection system do you need for the dust port?
Best Benchtop Jointer Planer
1. http://www.jettools.com/
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