Arguing with myself...

[JSUPreston]

...and need input from somebody outside the me, myself and I circle.

I have a Delta Jointer (JT360 http://www.deltaportercable.com/Prod...roductID=17159) and am debating if I should keep it. I got it several years ago and have hardly used it. I thought I would use it more than I did, and am thinking I may be better off making a jointing sled for the BT and reclaiming the floor space this thing is taking up. I probably have run less than 100 lf of wood through it in the past 3 or 4 years and have never needed to joint something more than 6' long. I figure I could handle that with a sled.

Whaddy'all think? Should I try to eBay or CL the thing for some cash or keep it? If so, what do you think a fair price would be? Except for some surface rust on the table surfaces, it is practically brand new with original knives. It's wired for 110/120 right now, and according to Delta could be wired for 220/240 after replacing the switch. The jungle has it for around $370 + shipping.

Thanks for all the anticipated input.

[LinuxRandal]

Do you have a planer? Do you use planer sleds to flatten one side, then the other (as compared to face jointing)?

Work with finished lumber or by it two sides flat?

Those should be your guide. I haven't used the mine nearly as much, but bought it, because of the price I got it for (Ridgid, NIB for $230).

Also look towards future projects. If your looking at a couple years down the road before really using it, then sell it.

[LCHIEN]

i went the other way, upgraded from a benchtop planer to that model (JT360). I have used it quite a bit, much better than the other methods you discuss. I have the lumberpack from lumber liquidators and have turned several nasty pieces of wood into useable items for quality woodworking.

I wouldn't want to have to part with mine.

but if you do decide to sell it,
1) I don't see much discount of Delta stuff, I got mine on a rare conjuction of rebate+coupon for about $260 but other than that I've rarely seen below $349 in a store.
2) other name brand jointers run around $300-400 for a basic open stand 6" jointer
so i imagine if you polish up that bed you could sell it for $250-300 depending on the relative anxiety of the seller and buyer.

[JSUPreston]

I do have the Delta 13" Planer 22-580 with cutterhead lock. I do make a good bit of shavings with it.

I'm thinking if I sold the jointer, I could possibly upgrade my drill press or get a midi lathe. Thought about a scroll saw, but not sure I would use it either. Then again, I could use the cash to build the sawzilla table and make use of the Bies I got last month. But, my old Skil saw is acting tired, and that Hitachi at Lowe's is calling my name.....

I'm so confused!

[ragswl4]

I could not do without a jointer. I use rough lumber for all my projects so everything must be edge jointed and one face made flat on the jointer. Sleds can be made to edge joint on the TS and another sled for the planer to flatten the face of a board.

I tried both of those and found the jointer to be so much easer, faster and more accurate. If you are working with S4S lumber then maybe you don't need it.

I would not have gotten a jointer while I was just doing this woodworking thing on the weekend but since retiring and spending every day in the shop, I just couldn't see not having a jointer.

[Red88chevy]

I'd hang on to it. I make alot of bookcases and joint every board I use. I've never regretted anything I've kept, but sure have regretted things I've sold!
I always thought the planer was harder to justify than the jointer.

[JSUPreston]

After much advice from you guys, I've decided that I'll keep the jointer. I appreciate all the input, and y'all gave me some good reasons why I should keep it. Thanks to everyone!

I finally got out to the shop last night to do some long overdue cleaning and organizing, and looked at the jointer long and hard. I never really tuned the thing up after I got it assembled (getting the guard on was an achievement by itself), and I realized that BOTH tables are out of level from input to out put. Both are going downhill to the left! Looks like I've got some tuning to do.