Shopsmith Forums

So, I'm thinking it would be nice to have a jointer as I have some projects coming up where it would be nice to have matching edges as best as possible.

The question is this: Considering I won't use it a lot and the cost of the SS Jointer vs. the cost of a small bench jointer. Which is the better purchase? What makes the SS jointer worth the price premium over other jointers in that size range?

Thanks!

Most newer bench top jointers IMHO are under powered and junk in general, now if you can find an old Craftsman or Delta cast iron one on CL I would saw comparable maybe better if 6", but they usually are belt driven with a motor below, so not really a bench top, most I have seen are on a separate wooden stand, with the motor below. Like this.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5367466402.html

To me the key words were "that you won't use it a lot" which makes the Shopsmith Jointer a perfect acquisition for you. Built rock solid and relatively out of the way when you don't need it.

Otherwise you are going to have something that takes up space in the shop that you constantly are walking around.

It is a good jointer and with the auxiliary fence and feather guard retrofit (shown on a stand mounted jointer taken from shopsmith's website), it is very functional. Obviously I would drive it from the headstock and put it away when not needed. If you ever find you need it more, you can mount it as shown on a power stand.

If your needs are so low it might be worth using other ways to do the job. A hand plane can do a lot of work and still be fit in a drawer for example. If you are into just edge jointing that can be done on a router table or even a table saw with jig.

Another option is to get a something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PSP ... 1_1&sr=8-1

The other option that might work for you is to buy the lumber with all edges already finished and then there is less need for a lot of jointer work and one of the other options can fit the bill pretty well.

Ed

Do not over look the conical disc sander!

reible wrote:If your needs are so low it might be worth using other ways to do the job. A hand plane can do a lot of work and still be fit in a drawer for example. If you are into just edge jointing that can be done on a router table or even a table saw with jig.

Another option is to get a something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PSP ... 1_1&sr=8-1

The other option that might work for you is to buy the lumber with all edges already finished and then there is less need for a lot of jointer work and one of the other options can fit the bill pretty well.

Ed

Great idea! Never thought about a hand tool like that. I generally only need to joint a few short boards at a time or a block that I've glued up for a box. I'd buy better lumber that's already S4S but I'm a cheap woodworker and besides, Lowe's doesn't carry the woods I'm looking for!

I've tried the hand plane thing and I'm pretty bad at it. Maybe it's a matter of practice. Let's face it, if it doesn't involve power tools, I'm not interested!

Have you used one of those hand held jointers before? What's it like?

Oh and how do you edge joint on a router table?

Thanks!

I have an electric hand held planer, a Bosh and it came with a fence to help hold it flat when edge jointing, a steady hand is needed but works oka.
Edge jointing on a router table you will need to off set the out feed fence with these, and you use a straight bit, I have done that also and works okay.
http://www.rockler.com/router-table-joi ... ims-6-pack

The least expensive approach is to learn how to use your existing hand plane. Practice with some scrap wood until you get the hang of it.

If you have a router table and want to use it, simply use a straight bit and offset the outfeed side of the fence by the amount you will take off with the pass. If you don't have a split fence to be able to make the adjustment, add a thin shim to the outfeed part of the fence. Again, practice with some scraps before you work with good wood.

The other choice is to watch ebay and purchase a used SS jointer for about $100 to $175. Then you might have to invest some additional money for new blades. While the SS jointer has a short bed, when properly adjusted, it is a really good machine and Nick Engler demonstrated a way to lengthen the bed.

Well, I'll be darned! That router table trick looks pretty good! Off to Lowe's I go to get a bit and some laminate samples for shims.

Thanks!