Jointer/Planer vs. Thickness Planer

[CManinLa]

I recently purchased a SCMS & TS. Looking for my next big purchase & trying to determine which would be best to buy first; the Jointer/Planer or the Thickness Planer?

I have been researching reviews & opinions on each product. In both the Jointer/Planer & Thickness Planer I've seen positive reviews from Ridgid & DeWalt (as well as others). The price range for both seem to be 350.00 - 400.00.

With a budget between 300.00 - 400.00, only being able to afford either the Jointer/Planer or the Thickness Planer.......which would be the best choice to place in my shop first?

I would hopefully be able to buy the other somewhere down the road but for now can only get 1.

[Pappy]

A jointer and a planer go hand in hand. The jointer creates a flat face with one square edge, the planer cuts the other face parallel to that one.

If you can only get one, I would recommend the planer. There are jigs that can be made that will help make the first face side flat.

[Uncle Cracker]

I think that's gonna depend on whether you think you'll be doing more edge jointing or dimensioning lumber. If thinner boards are what you need, the thickness planer will do that, and at widths up to and above 12", while the jointer is better suited to squaring up lumber for edge gluing. Try and decide which will best suit YOUR needs, not ours, then go buy BOTH...

[LinuxRandal]

Do you have access to either via a friend? That could make a difference (you have one, they the other).

You can edge joint with a router.

But if you find a bargain on one or the other, that can make a difference to.

[LCHIEN]

all the preceeding were good replies... I would concur.

[Cheeky]

I would hopefully be able to buy the other somewhere down the road but for now can only get 1.

Heed "Bargain Alerts"; you may be able to get both sooner, rather than later. That is, if you can practice patience

[drumpriest]

I am going to agree with the above guys, mostly depends upon the kind of work you envision doing, but I would get the planer first. I was able to edge joint very nicely with a router, a flush trim bit (or pattern bit), and 5$ piece of MDF from the BORG.

I wrote an article on it here...

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...outer+jointing

[Knottscott]

A jointer and a planer go hand in hand. The jointer creates a flat face with one square edge, the planer cuts the other face parallel to that one.

If you can only get one, I would recommend the planer. There are jigs that can be made that will help make the first face side flat.

I agree with Pappy....a planer can be coaxed into flattening, but a jointer can't reduce thickness uniformly. Plus there are lots of methods for edge jointing.

Planer first by default.

[Garasaki]

You should be able to find a used planer and 6" jointer for well under 400 bucks. Just keep an eye out.

I have bout 230 bucks into a 4" jointer and a 12" planer.

[footprintsinconc]

i concur with all the posts above. especially with john, just start looking hard and be patient. you'll be surprised at what you will get, keep in mind, you need time.

i got a thickness planer first and then the jointer/planer. after i got a jointer/planer, then my wood options just broadened because of all the things that can be done a jointer/planer.

good luck

[ragswl4]

i concur with all the posts above. especially with john, just start looking hard and be patient. you'll be surprised at what you will get, keep in mind, you need time.

i got a thickness planer first and then the jointer/planer. after i got a jointer/planer, then my wood options just broadened because of all the things that can be done a jointer/planer.

good luck

I agree with Omar. I purchased a nice Dewalt 733 planer and Harbor Freight Jointer for under $300 and both work great for me. There are just too many tools out there on CraigsList and other sources. Keep at it and you'll find some bargains.

[messmaker]

I agree with Omar. I purchased a nice Dewalt 733 planer and Harbor Freight Jointer for under $300 and both work great for me. There are just too many tools out there on CraigsList and other sources. Keep at it and you'll find some bargains.

Thats the set-up I have. I paid about the same. I know the jointer catches some flack but mine does just fine.