[jaredhite1]

I'm a novice hobbyist woodworker with limited shop space considering getting a jointer and a planer, looking to spend somewhere between $600-$1000 for both. This jointer caught my eye on craig's list, looks to be in pretty good condition, and the owner says the blades are in good shape and it works well. He said the model is jj-6cst, but I couldn't find any jointers with that model number. Here's a picture:

Would you guys pay $400 for this jointer? Any tips on inspecting it if I decide to go have a look at it? I have never used a jointer or planer before, I mostly want to joint and plane the lumber available at the big box stores, as the lumberyard near me has really inconvenient hours. I think 6" would usually be enough for me, I rarely get a single board bigger than a 2x6. I'm more concerned about the 48" table length, since I do occasionally use longer pieces (75" ish) for beds and such.

Thanks in advance!
Jared

 

[ryan50hrl]

I'd try for 350....but would probably pay 400 for it. Couple that with a dewalt 735 online for 550-600 and your under your 1000 limit.

 

[rrbrown]

I'm a novice hobbyist woodworker with limited shop space considering getting a jointer and a planer, looking to spend somewhere between $600-$1000 for both. This jointer caught my eye on craig's list, looks to be in pretty good condition, and the owner says the blades are in good shape and it works well. He said the model is jj-6cst, but I couldn't find any jointers with that model number. Here's a picture:

Would you guys pay $400 for this jointer? Any tips on inspecting it if I decide to go have a look at it? I have never used a jointer or planer before, I mostly want to joint and plane the lumber available at the big box stores, as the lumberyard near me has really inconvenient hours. I think 6" would usually be enough for me, I rarely get a single board bigger than a 2x6. I'm more concerned about the 48" table length, since I do occasionally use longer pieces (75" ish) for beds and such.

Thanks in advance!
Jared

Price might be ok, a little high for me just in general not brand/model specific..

If your using big box stores there stuff has a straight edge and the lumber is already flat been planed. A planer would still be useful but you can joint on a table saw since you have a straight edge.

Even with that said check it out bring a board to test it on and make a offer.

 

[Steve Neul]

I don't care for it but I think it's worth $400.00. I don't like the way they are putting the elevation knobs on the face of the newer models. To me that would get in the way even though the actual handles probably fold in.

 

[redbirdone]

I bought one of those exact jointers used in 2004 for $300 and it has been worth every penny. It had very little use on it. Very solid machine.

 

[jaredhite1]

Thanks for the replies everybody, sounds like this is a solid purchase assuming I do actually need a jointer. I'm guessing since the ad has been there a while and there's an "OBO" I can maybe get my hands on it for $350 and then spend another $65 getting a mobile base.

If your using big box stores there stuff has a straight edge and the lumber is already flat been planed. A planer would still be useful but you can joint on a table saw since you have a straight edge.

My experience so far is that the 3/4" clear pine, poplar, and oak are all planed and fairly straight, but when you're getting into the cheaper knotty pine or the 2x2/4/6 framing lumber the stuff can get pretty nasty. I just finished a bunk bed for my kids built with 2x4, 2x6 and 4x4 pine and even though I spent several hours picking out the best pieces, many were still twisted enough to give me some problems. I've got to make one more identical bunk bed and that's part of why I started looking for a jointer.

As for the table saw suggestion, I really need a table saw upgrade since I'm just working off a $200 Skill contractor saw with a really poor fence. I had a relatively minor injury a few months ago on it but it was serious enough that I am kind of saving up for a saw stop. I've got $1800ish saved and I was probably going to shoot for the $2500 cabinet saw, but now that my finger has healed up I'm starting to think I should use some of that money for some new and exciting tools rather than a table saw upgrade Ugh...Too many decisions and too little cash.

Edit: Here's a similar Delta Jointer for about the same price in my area, if that changes anything.

 

[rrbrown]

As for the table saw suggestion, I really need a table saw upgrade since I'm just working off a $200 Skill contractor saw with a really poor fence. I had a relatively minor injury a few months ago on it but it was serious enough that I am kind of saving up for a saw stop. I've got $1800ish saved and I was probably going to shoot for the $2500 cabinet saw, but now that my finger has healed up I'm starting to think I should use some of that money for some new and exciting tools rather than a table saw upgrade Ugh...Too many decisions and too little cash.

Edit: Here's a similar Delta Jointer for about the same price in my area, if that changes anything.

Been there lost a finger on a ShopFox cabinet saw because I was worried about the extra money for the SawStop. I had 25 years experience with no accidents which probably swayed my first decision even though I really liked that SawStop. 20k for the hospital and I have a new SawStop.

Do what you want but I would invest in the SawStop 3hp PCS with the long rails. Oh I did.:laughing: It was $3000 but worth every penny. If you get the smaller saw just for cost you lose some serious value in my opinion, especially for resale if you would ever decide to change your mind.

 

[ryan50hrl]

I can't wait until the day comes I can get a sawstop....it's high on my list.

 

[toolguy1000]

Delta planer linked is a better deal and a better jointer. when wood magazine last tested 6" jointers, a griz was top tool, ridgid was the top value and jet (the unit linked above) finished out of the money, even at it's higher price. as you get more into WWing, you'll find that jet doesn't deliver the value that other brands do. long on promise, short on delivery and usually pricey making for a poor value.

 

[WarnerConstInc.]

I just paid that for an 8" machine that has 84" long tables and weighs 1100 pounds, so uh nope.

 

[Wizard1500]

I've had a SawStop contractors for 3 years.....do yourself a favor, and get the SawStop......other than the safety feature, imho, it's just a really good saw......with the safety feature, I think it's well worth the money.....

 

[vinnypatternmaker]

Hi!
If you got the buck, and you run out of luck...you'll be very glad you chose a Saw-Stop! Heard most pro and con's on this saw...it's really simple, your hands do so much for you, love 'em back!
Best,
Marena and Vinny

 

[jaredhite1]

Been there lost a finger on a ShopFox cabinet saw because I was worried about the extra money for the SawStop. I had 25 years experience with no accidents which probably swayed my first decision even though I really liked that SawStop. 20k for the hospital and I have a new SawStop.

Do what you want but I would invest in the SawStop 3hp PCS with the long rails. Oh I did.:laughing: It was $3000 but worth every penny. If you get the smaller saw just for cost you lose some serious value in my opinion, especially for resale if you would ever decide to change your mind.

Sorry to hear about your accident rrbrown. Like I said, my accident wasn't so severe but it cost me about $1,000 out of pocket and most of the feeling in one fingertip (pic for the morbidly curious), so the sawstop is looking pretty economical. I have my eye on this model - The 3HP model just seems like overkill for my needs - I can see myself using the bigger table and fence, but I don't see a lot of need for the 3HP motor. And my garage isn't wired for 220. What cuts are you making when you feel that extra HP is worth the extra $500ish?

Back to the jointer...

Delta planer linked is a better deal and a better jointer. when wood magazine last tested 6" jointers, a griz was top tool, ridgid was the top value and jet (the unit linked above) finished out of the money, even at it's higher price. as you get more into WWing, you'll find that jet doesn't deliver the value that other brands do. long on promise, short on delivery and usually pricey making for a poor value.

Did they review the Delta? I'm surprised to hear that Jet is regarded so poorly. One of the reasons that particular Jet jointer caught my eye was because I saw Charles Neil had a similar one in his jointer video (youtube.com/watch?v=UqVkISnNx0w). And I <3 Charles Neil

I just paid that for an 8" machine that has 84" long tables and weighs 1100 pounds, so uh nope.

That sounds like a pretty nice deal I haven't seen many 8" jointers for sale here, much less for that price. I should mention that I'm awful at machine maintenance, so getting something 20 years old that needs belts and gears and stuff replaced just isn't an option.

Again, thank you for all the opinions fellas. I'm still a little undecided about whether to postpone the saw stop purchase for a jointer and/or a planer, but since the enthusiasm for this particular jointer is mixed I'll probably hang on to my money for now.

 

[ryan50hrl]

Go for this one instead.....

http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/tls/3835715473.html


In all reality, pick a machine that does what you need. there are people on this board that wouldnt admit a jet tool was a good deal if it were brand new and 20 bucks same thing for powematic, grizzly, craftsman, steel city, and delta if its going to do what you need it to do, see what you can get the guy down to on price, and then make a decision

 

[jaredhite1]

Oh baby, this one just came up. Cheaper, looks like better condition, with mobile base and new set of knives. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/3889923680.html

 

[ryan50hrl]

I'd put the two against each other and see how cheap you can get one of them for.

 

[woodnthings]

Oh Yeah

Get it. That's a good price. I have an older, blue Jet it's a fine jointer.

 

[knotscott]

The Jet was made in the same factory as the Grizzly 1182 series, Sunhill, Woodtek, GI, Craftex, Bridgewood and others. Jet offered dealer support and a longer warranty when it was new, which no longer apply to a different owner. $300 is very fair IMO.

You can still buy NOS of the Sunhill with the extended 56" beds for $245 plus s/h (estimated shipping is $100). The castings are the same as the Jet.

 

[jaredhite1]

The end of the story is that I ended up getting the one in the OP for $300, plus I got him to throw in a mobile base, which saved me buying one for $65 off Amazon. He had the model number wrong, it was jj-6csx as I suspected. I'll probably grab a new set of knives for it, the ones that are in there are not in great condition. Other than that, seems to be in good shape.

Again, thanks for the advice and helpful comments everybody.

 

[WarnerConstInc.]

20 years old? More like 113 and if you can't do maintenance work on machinery, you might as well not get any.