6" Jointer Selection

[Trent]

I'm comparing a couple 6" jointers, and I wonder if some are the same and just have different names? Home Depot has Ridgid (I looked one over pretty close yesterday) for about $400. I can buy a used Jet for $325, both machines are 1 HP and have 3 blade cutter head.
The Jet 6" Jointer owners manual shows many good expoded views. The castings on these 2 machines look the same to me. The Jet weighs only about 30 lbs. more and I wonder if it may just be a difference in the stand? One difference I did notice is the way the tables are adjusted up and down, the hand cranks are different. Can someone help me understand if there are any real diffrences? I have a milling machine that looks like others and I think mine was cheaper because it is a different "color"

[Larry]

Anymore all of the jointer's are chinwanese models.  They do a great job of coping but nothing to original.

Your observation on color versus price is also valid many times.  The Taiwan factory Geetech, has a picture on there website showing planers rolling off the manufacturing line.  One side has pretty PM gold while the other side has Geetech blue.

Delta has been making a 6" jointer since the beginning of time.  They are about as good as they get except they don't have a center adjusted fence.  A nice one can normally be found for less than $250.  There is a picture in my gallery of one in the back of my truck.  Gave $30 for it but gonna have to bolt it to the stand and put a new belt on it. ;D : ;D

[brdmkr]

Don't forget to look at Grizzly jointers.  I have an 8 inch grizzly that is pretty nice.  I figure you could get a new 6 incher for under 400.00, but I haven't priced them in a while.  I am a grizzly fan as I think there stuff has really good bang for the buck.

[SwampDonkey]

I've had a DELTA 6" wide jointer for 14 years, came with stand. Has a fence that is adjustable in two planes. They are made in Taiwan to, I'm afraid. But, I've never had any trouble with mine. I love it. Mine even came with two handled push blocks. It also has a blade guard, that can be removed. The up and down is done with a 2" wheel and is quite precise. ;D

[DR Buck]

I just finished reading an article from "Woodworkers Journal" that stated 95% of the most popular stationary woodworking tools are now made in Asia (Tawian & China), including the high $$ European labels.   

[SwampDonkey]

'Trade Master' is a Home Hardware brand, and they've been coming from Taiwan for years now. My Tablesaw, planer and band saw are 'Trade Master'. Can't complain. Now, I didn't buy the cheap flimsy aluminum stuff, she's cast and stainless steel. A good table saw here costs $800 at the very least.

[Larry]

I think your right, DR_Buck.   Most wood workers have never heard of a Northfield planer or an Original radial arm saw.  Both are American companies alive and well, making USofA high quality machinery.  Course most wood workers couldn't afford a Northfield or an Original.  I know for sure I couldn't.

Even though I think highly of the present day Grizzly machines due to there low cost and value I'm still like that old American arn.

[sharp edge]

What kind of mill did you get?  I think keeping track of thing by brand names is a lost art.  The job shop that i used to work at used all foreign equipment and tools .