Popular Woodworking 2000-11 № 118, страница 41

jointer may offer what you need for less than $300.

Floor Model Jointers

Most woodworkers will opt for a floor model jointer, with 6" widths being the most popular models, though we recommend 8" for woodworkers who work with solid lumber.

Six inch jointers cost between $325 and $1,300, with motor sizes mostly ³/4 or 1 hp, and bed lengths ranging from 35¹/2" to 56" . They are available as open-frame units or with enclosed bases. Open frame models are less expensive, but enclosed bases add extra weight to help the machine operate more smoothly.

Eight inch jointers cost between $675 and $2,400, with motor sizes between 1¹/2 and 2 hp, and bed lengths ranging from 64" to 76¹/2". They all have enclosed stands, which offer better dust collection, usually with the addition of a dust port cover.

Table Adjustment

To adjust the infeed table height, you have the option of either hand wheels or levers. Though there is a certain amount of personal preference involved in this selection, in general hand wheels are the more precise method of adjustment. A hand wheel can be turned a half-turn for a V64" increase in depth, while a lever doesn't have the referencing ability, making adjustment more arbitrary. While all jointers include a scale to measure table adjustment, they are useful only for getting you in the ballpark. But to many woodworkers a jointer isn't required to be precise — at least in depth of cut — and a lever action provides smoother control of heavier infeed tables.

Knives

One way to gauge the performance of a

6" jointers are affordable entry-level machines, however most woodworkers who use primarily solid lumber eventually upgrade to an 8" machine.

jointer is the smoothness of the cut, with the least noticeable knife marks on the board. Some of this is a function of the knife height adjustment in the cutterhead, but a larger part is the number of knives used and the rpms at which the cutterhead spins. The higher the rpms and number of knives, the more efficient the performance of the machine, and the smoother the cut.

Benchtop models routinely offer two knives in the cutterhead, giving a ratio of around 16,000 cuts per minute. All 6" jointers have three knives offering between 12,000 to 21,000 cuts per minute, depending on the rpm. Some 8" jointers and all 12" and 16" jointers have four knives with an rpm of4,500 or 5,000. Most machines come with high speed steel knives, but many commercial shops opt to spend some extra money on carbide-tipped knives for their jointers. This isn't a cheap upgrade (in the $110 range for 6" and $250 for 12") but one of the many complaints about jointers is the time necessary to get the knives set correctly. Carbide-tipped knives hold an edge much longer.

Knife Setting

There are a few types of knife-setting jigs available to ease this task. The higher-priced jointers provide a high-quality jig with the machine. In particular, look for a magnetic knife-setting jig. This jig pulls the knife out of the cutterhead to the correct depth, and holds it there while the knife is tightened down.

The other option is to purchase

PW

OmmeMKa

The following jointers have been tested or used by the editors of Popular Woodworking and have earned their recommendation.

Occasional User

While many occasional users gravitate toward the affordable benchtop models, we don't recommend them because (with a few exceptions) they will likely lead to disappointment over time. Instead we recommend an entry level 6" jointer such as the Grizzly G1182 for $325.Available with either handwheel or lever adjustment, this jointer offers many quality features at an affordable price.

Serious Home Woodworker

For the serious home woodworker, our recommendation is an 8" jointer. While price may sway you toward a 6" jointer (prices can more than double for an 8" model), in the end you may regret the loss of that 2" when you want to face that special piece of J/4" curly maple. Many woodworkers end up buying an 8" jointer after a few years anyway so it's cheaper to buy the the larger machine in the beginning.A proven performer that's competitively priced in its class is the Delta 37-380 for $1,100. For the more economy-minded woodworker who still wants the capacity we recommend the Grizzly G1018 for $6J5.

Advanced Woodworker or Professional

When it comes to ultimate precision and performance in a jointer, nothing less than an 8" model will do, and when possible a 12" is a great investment for the future. In an 8" model we recommend the Powermatic Model 60, selling for around $ 1,900. For another $ 1,000 move up to the 12" Bridgewood BW-12JD.