I'm looking to get a benchtop jointer, and I'm looking at a 6-inch model
at BORG that is made by "Porter Cable/Delta"
I plan to use this unit for light-duty work on thin woods that will be
used for acoustic guitar tops and backs - walnut, spruce, maple,
mahogany. In addition, it may be pressed into service to joint similar
woods up to 2" thick for use as solid-guitar bodies.
Is this a good unit? Is there something better in the price range?
Thanks!
--Steve
toller wrote:
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.woodworking/browse_frm/thread/e1e5f334cf28c8d7/22fcddb3e9effcfc?q=delta+benchtop+jointer&rnum=2&hl=en#22fcddb3e9effcfc
>
> Sorry, 5 weeks ago.
>
> <Steve> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > I've searched all of the messages going back about 3 months--I can't find
> > any mention of the jointer I asked about. Was it on a different
> > newsgroup?
> >
> > --Steve
> >
> > toller wrote:
> >> There was a discussion of this 3 weeks ago. I thought it was a piece of
> >> crap, but everyone loved it.
Not exactly a piece of crap. I don't know that particular Delta model,
but I wrote of the Craftsman, which I still think is a decent jointer
for the bucks and size. I used it yesterday, in fact, and got good
results.
I seem to recall you were hoping the Delta would do more than any
benchtop machine will do. If you expect good things in a smaller range,
then you will be satisfied. If you believe the ad hype, you're going to
almost certainly be disappointed. Maximum lengths on any benchtop
should be held to 3' or less MOST of the time. I've gotten good results
with 4', and even did a couple 6' boards with rollers locked into
Workmates as outboard supports (as an incidental point, this one kind
of work that Workmates truly shine at).
Steve wrote:
> I'm looking to get a benchtop jointer, and I'm looking at a 6-inch model
> at BORG that is made by "Porter Cable/Delta"
>
> I plan to use this unit for light-duty work on thin woods that will be
> used for acoustic guitar tops and backs - walnut, spruce, maple,
> mahogany. In addition, it may be pressed into service to joint similar
> woods up to 2" thick for use as solid-guitar bodies.
>
> Is this a good unit? Is there something better in the price range?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --Steve
Personally, I think they are so small that they are a waste of money.
I've seen 6" jointers on ebay in the 300-400 range. If money was an
issue, I'd look there. Or heck, look at the ones from Grizzly. If space
is an issue, surely a mobile base could be used to push it into the
corner. (Something in the garage/basement could be tossed to gain room
for a floor unit).
The short bed length on those bench top jointers would make them
practically useless, IMO.
A hand held power planer might be more versatile. It is smaller and
less expensive than full size jointers. And with proper technique you
can use it effectively on any size board--face or edge--just as you
would use hand planes.
I would suggest hand planes, but that's neither a simple or
inexpensive way to go when you consider how much a good plane goes for
(not to mention sharpening equipment.) But if you're up for the
expense and the learning curve this could definitely be the most
satisfying way to go.
A hand held power planer might be more versatile. It is smaller and
less expensive than full size jointers. And with proper technique you
can use it effectively on any size board--face or edge--just as you
would use hand planes.
I would suggest hand planes, but that's neither a simple or
inexpensive way to go when you consider how much a good plane goes for
(not to mention sharpening equipment.) But if you're up for the
expense and the learning curve this could definitely be the most
satisfying way to go.
A hand held power planer might be more versatile. It is smaller and
less expensive than full size jointers. And with proper technique you
can use it effectively on any size board--face or edge--just as you
would use hand planes.
I would suggest hand planes, but that's neither a simple or
inexpensive way to go when you consider how much a good plane goes for
(not to mention sharpening equipment.) But if you're up for the
expense and the learning curve this could definitely be the most
satisfying way to go.
"bf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Steve wrote:
>> I'm looking to get a benchtop jointer, and I'm looking at a 6-inch model
>> at BORG that is made by "Porter Cable/Delta"
>>
>> I plan to use this unit for light-duty work on thin woods that will be
>> used for acoustic guitar tops and backs - walnut, spruce, maple,
>> mahogany. In addition, it may be pressed into service to joint similar
>> woods up to 2" thick for use as solid-guitar bodies.
>>
>> Is this a good unit? Is there something better in the price range?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> --Steve
>
> Personally, I think they are so small that they are a waste of money.
> I've seen 6" jointers on ebay in the 300-400 range. If money was an
> issue, I'd look there. Or heck, look at the ones from Grizzly. If space
> is an issue, surely a mobile base could be used to push it into the
> corner. (Something in the garage/basement could be tossed to gain room
> for a floor unit).
>
> The short bed length on those bench top jointers would make them
> practically useless, IMO.
>
I'll disagree with this. ;-)
I have the "Delta 6" Variable Speed Bench Jointer," model 37-070.
The bed length totals only 30", end-to-end. Got it at Lowe's in
September, 2000, for $267.00 (just looked at the receipt).
I use it with great success and am very pleased. In the not-too-distant
past I've posted photos to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking of a
variety of projects, most recently a "tall case clock" and a number of
Adirondack chairs. Some of the parts are around 6 feet long. Straight!
My "technique" begins with keeping pressure on both the infeed and
outfeed sides OVER THE BED (not over the edge of the jointer).
If used with "skill/care," you can take the bow out of the edge of a
board, working one end then the other, until you can make a single
pass and get that edge straight. I've used it on shorter pieces to remove
warp on the face, too.
And I store it out of the way, not taking up any space when it's not
used.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
Jim Stuyck
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.woodworking/browse_frm/thread/e1e5f334cf28c8d7/22fcddb3e9effcfc?q=delta+benchtop+jointer&rnum=2&hl=en#22fcddb3e9effcfc
Sorry, 5 weeks ago.
<Steve> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I've searched all of the messages going back about 3 months--I can't find
> any mention of the jointer I asked about. Was it on a different
> newsgroup?
>
> --Steve
>
> toller wrote:
>> There was a discussion of this 3 weeks ago. I thought it was a piece of
>> crap, but everyone loved it.
"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> toller wrote:
> >
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.woodworking/browse_frm/thread/e1e5f334cf28c8d7/22fcddb3e9effcfc?q=delta+benchtop+jointer&rnum=2&hl=en#22fcddb3e9effcfc
> >
> > Sorry, 5 weeks ago.
> >
> > <Steve> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > > I've searched all of the messages going back about 3 months--I can't
find
> > > any mention of the jointer I asked about. Was it on a different
> > > newsgroup?
> > >
> > > --Steve
> > >
> > > toller wrote:
> > >> There was a discussion of this 3 weeks ago. I thought it was a
piece of
> > >> crap, but everyone loved it.
>
> Not exactly a piece of crap. I don't know that particular Delta model,
> but I wrote of the Craftsman, which I still think is a decent jointer
> for the bucks and size. I used it yesterday, in fact, and got good
> results.
>
> I seem to recall you were hoping the Delta would do more than any
> benchtop machine will do. If you expect good things in a smaller range,
> then you will be satisfied. If you believe the ad hype, you're going to
> almost certainly be disappointed. Maximum lengths on any benchtop
> should be held to 3' or less MOST of the time. I've gotten good results
> with 4', and even did a couple 6' boards with rollers locked into
> Workmates as outboard supports (as an incidental point, this one kind
> of work that Workmates truly shine at).
>
I have to agree with Charlie, I have the Craftsman 6" and works great up to
4' lengths. Its the only bench top I found that has a cast iron top and
fence for $200 (Canadian). So far used on spruce and white oak and the
results are perfect. Technique is probably more important than the jointer
itself. Setup is still important to get excellent results.
This jointer is solid and no frills. No rabbets or depth of cut gauge, but
not an issue for me. Most others can't cut rabbets either. You can make a
depth gauge from a stick of wood a dial indicator and some small magnets for
about $15.
On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 09:55:49 -0500, "Jim Stuyck" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>"bf" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Personally, I think they are so small that they are a waste of money.
>> I've seen 6" jointers on ebay in the 300-400 range. If money was an
>> issue, I'd look there. Or heck, look at the ones from Grizzly. If space
>> is an issue, surely a mobile base could be used to push it into the
>> corner. (Something in the garage/basement could be tossed to gain room
>> for a floor unit).
>>
>> The short bed length on those bench top jointers would make them
>> practically useless, IMO.
>>
>I'll disagree with this. ;-)
>
>I have the "Delta 6" Variable Speed Bench Jointer," model 37-070.
>The bed length totals only 30", end-to-end. Got it at Lowe's in
>September, 2000, for $267.00 (just looked at the receipt).
>
>I use it with great success and am very pleased. In the not-too-distant
>past I've posted photos to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking of a
>variety of projects, most recently a "tall case clock" and a number of
>Adirondack chairs. Some of the parts are around 6 feet long. Straight!
>My "technique" begins with keeping pressure on both the infeed and
>outfeed sides OVER THE BED (not over the edge of the jointer).
>
>If used with "skill/care," you can take the bow out of the edge of a
>board, working one end then the other, until you can make a single
>pass and get that edge straight. I've used it on shorter pieces to remove
>warp on the face, too.
>
>And I store it out of the way, not taking up any space when it's not
>used.
Second that. I got the same (or similar) model last year for $199 :-).
It's not the tool I'd want to use to straighten a 8/4 bed rail, but
big whoop. Not all of us are into building large-scale furniture.
As far as mobility is concerned, it's mounted on one end of a 24x48"
cart, with a benchtop drillpress on the other end and a 12" Delta
planer on the lower shelf.
Lee
Lee DeRaud wrote:
> Second that. I got the same (or similar) model last year for $199 :-).
I've got a Delta Shopmaster 6" benchtop jointer which superceded that model I'm
looking to sell. The first $100 gets it and for another $30, I'll include a
universal stand along with a Delta mobile base. Prefer direct pickup from
Charlotte, NC rather than shipping....
I bought an 8" Bohemoth Jointer some months ago to replace it and don't need it
anymore.
--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN
[email protected]