6" jointer - Good deal?

[Wandere]

The specs seems ok, but low RPM (1750)? Think this would make a decent first jointer? http://madison.craigslist.org/tls/531061008.html (it's a Rockwell 37-600)

The low RPM concerns me a bit but I don't know a darned thing about jointers (yet)

Found a new variable speed Delta from HD for $219 ( http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5X-_-100341730 ) RPM is 6000 - 11000

Thanks much,

-Rob

[Garasaki]

That's a belt drive jointer - the speed of the motor is changed thru the pull ratio so the speed of the cutterhead is (or at least should be ) appropriate for a jointer. So don't let the motor speed concern you.

Personally I'm not a fan of those light duty benchtop dealies - that one seems to be in really good shape and a 6" jointer, with rolling stand, for that price is a good deal.

[ragswl4]

The specs seems ok, but low RPM (1750)? Think this would make a decent first jointer? http://madison.craigslist.org/tls/531061008.html (it's a Rockwell 37-600)

The low RPM concerns me a bit but I don't know a darned thing about jointers (yet)

Found a new variable speed Delta from HD for $219 ( http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5X-_-100341730 ) RPM is 6000 - 11000

Thanks much,

-Rob

I had one of those benchtop jointers and while it was adequate for smaller boards I found that once the length exceeded 36" it was just too difficult to hold the wood on the bed of the jointer. Another problem with the one that I had was that the outfeed table was fixed, no adjustment possible. You might want to just keep looking at craigslist for a used 6" floor model if you have the space. All depends on the projects that you would use it for.

[Wandere]

kk, thanks for the replies gents. I'll admire that one from afar and keep my eyes peeled for a better one to come along.

-Rob

[LCHIEN]

Important spec is not necessarily the RPM... BTW is that the cutterhead or the motor speed???

The most important spec is the cuts per min.
A 3500 RPM induction motor driving a 2:1 belt slowing the cutterhead to 1750 RPM but with three blades (knives) has 5200 cuts per minute.

the more CPM the smoother the cut will be.

larger jointers with induction motors almost always have 3400 RPM motors but are belt driven so the cutterhead speed is a function of the puleys.
benchtop machines have universal motors (smaller and cheaper) and their speed is independent of line frequency, I'm not sure how they drive the cutterhead Altho probably a belt, too).

I regretted my becnhtop jointer purchase eventually, not because of motor or cut smoothness but the length of the bed vs. how flat I could get a board.