Jointer on craigslist

[Eagan]

Greetings, anyone

I'm looking at a jointer I've fiound listing on Craigslilst and thought that ask for suggested things to check before I made the plunge. All I know about this is that it was available this morn and the seller says it runs great. I've never used a jointer; not sure that I really need one, but this appears to be a good price. I think running boards through a jointer would be better then trying to use my router.

The picture makes it look as if there is a layer of rust on the top. If this is true, would that be hard to remove?

What are the big things to watch out for?

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/tls/736352697.html

[Hellrazor]

That's not rust, they just joined redwood


If the rust is light surface rust, without pits, it isn't that bad to remove.

[LCHIEN]

probably a good buy at that price. Rusted top should clean up OK with some elbow grease and then you need to trat it with Boeshield T-9 or at the very least wax.

Things to make sure of:
1. top is pretty flat when the two sides are leveled... it can be adjusted a small bit with shims. A big misalignment indicates a big problem. Bring a good level.
2. Outfeed table adjusts smoothly up and down.
3. motor runs smoothly, no serious vibration or bad noises - (bearings etc)
4. Fence adjusts in and out, and for vertical to 45 degrees.
5. no broken bolts holding the knives in place. or not more than one - you'd have to repair by using a broken bolt remover.
6. no serious pits in the table, uniform rust as i said is fixable.
7. No cracks in the castings (e.g it hasn't been dropped.)

[poolhound]

before you pull the trigger on this did you check around your local Lowes' to see if any had any of the now heavily discount JT360s. Last known price was $92.25 and with the $10 off with Visa coupon you get a new 6" jointer for around $90 out the door.