Opinions on HF 7" jointer

[dewi1219]

I'm looking for opinions from anyone who has experience with this jointer. I think I can get the guy down a little more, and he says it includes a "few" sets of blades and a blade setter. I believe it goes on sale at HF regularly for under $200.

http://bham.craigslist.org/tls/800213561.html

I know how some people feel about HF tools, and I've had mixed results with them myself. But my main two concerns are 1) Will it do the job ok, and 2) Will I have trouble finding 7" knives anywhere other than HF? I'm just looking for a basic machine, so bells and whistles are not required Thanks.
Scott

[pelligrini]

I don't have that particular one, but I picked up an older 6" import version recently.

The end attaching fences leave a lot to be desired. From what I've read it's based on an old Rockwall design. I get about a 3/16" deflection at the end of my fence. I will probably never use it for rabbeting unless I brace the fence somehow. The fence attachment is different on mine, and one of the iron clamping pieces has a harline crack. I've also read that those long fences like that can warp too.

[dbhost]

I've been looking into an HF jointer myself. Several members here have had the 6", of various vintages...

The 7" appears to have a different motor (still rated at 1HP, but lower amp draw somehow?) than the 6".

The reports are that the fences are okay, but a little squirrely to get set up.

I can honestly say that is kind of typical of HF equipment from what I can tell. Works well when set up, but a PITA to get set up...

If you can put your hands on the circular that has it listed for $219.00 and hurry up and get it on the 15% off coupon (expires Sunday) I would say it should be a good bargain.

I am probably going to pass on the jointer for a little bit, as I want to finish up my upgrades to the band saw, and get some goodies from MLCS this payday... But I WILL be watching for the 7" or 8" HF jointer to go back on cheap sale...

[dewi1219]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I am wondering if I can get the guy down to $100-120 is it worth it?

Part of my dilemma is that I have a neighbor who has a very lightly used 6" Craftsman stand jointer that he will sell me for about $200, but that is just out of the budget right now due to some other recent tool purchases He isn't advertising it and doesn't appear to be in a hurry to sell. He only offered it because I told him I was looking for a jointer. I should probably just wait until I can get the Craftsman, but the HF for ~$100 is pretty tempting...

[pelligrini]

I would think it would be worth it if you got it down to $125 or better. It looks to be in good shape from the photo.

[JR]

I guess I am wondering if I can get the guy down to $100-120 is it worth it?

Yes, at that price it's worth it.

I'm not sure I'm a typical jointer user, but I never make adjustments on mine. I just use is to make square stock. This jointer does the job. I wouldn't worry too much about the 7" blades. They can be found at HF, or I'm pretty sure you could use 6" blades in a pinch.

As has been mentioned, it's a pain to set up. I think jointers are probably all pretty tricky to get going, but the HF doesn't offer any of the modern conveniences, like newer center-aligned fences.

HTH,
JR

[dewi1219]

I'm not sure I'm a typical jointer user, but I never make adjustments on mine. I just use is to make square stock.

I am in the same situation, and this is why I thought the HF will work for me.

[dbhost]

If you can snag that HF for $125.00 in good shape, it is well worth the $$...

And you guys are in the same boat I am in. If I want to run rabbets, I do that on the TS or the router table depending on how many / how fast setup I want... (The router is easier to set up, but a PITA to use rabbeting compared to the TS...

[pelligrini]

One nice thing about the end mounted fence is that the jointer doesn't take up as much floor space, especially nice is a small shop. The back of my base will go flush against the wall. When I was doing dome research I noticed that a lot of the better fence mechanisms hung off the back a fair distance.

[dbhost]

According to the sticker on the jointer, that is a 7", but it appears to be an older model. The current 7" is silver, and the base is tapered, not dead square...

He is asking a bit much for a used HF jointer to be honest as this model goes on sale for $199.00 to $219.00 frequently, paired up with 15% - 20% off coupons, if you shop right and wait for sales it can be had new for $160.00. You might offer him $125.00 and see if he bites... of course this one is already assembled / set up which is a plus...

A Craftsman 6", as long as it is not the bench top model, is worth the $200.00 asking price your neighbor wants for the Craftsman is pretty reasonable. However, I am not sure from a function stand point, it will offer you any additional value...

[dewi1219]

He is asking a bit much for a used HF jointer to be honest as this model goes on sale for $199.00 to $219.00 frequently, paired up with 15% - 20% off coupons, if you shop right and wait for sales it can be had new for $160.00. You might offer him $125.00 and see if he bites... of course this one is already assembled / set up which is a plus...

A Craftsman 6", as long as it is not the bench top model, is worth the $200.00 asking price your neighbor wants for the Craftsman is pretty reasonable. However, I am not sure from a function stand point, it will offer you any additional value...

I offered him $100 and am waiting to hear back from him. If he doesn't take it I think I will just wait until I can get the Craftsman...

[pelligrini]

Good plan.

I hate waiting though, I waited a few years until I finally got myself a thickness planer. I really, really wished I would have got it a whole lot sooner.

[ragswl4]

I have had that jointer for about 1 1/2 years. The fit and finish is nothing to get excited about, the base is pretty flimsy and I would like the table to be a little longer. That said I have jointed a lot of lumber with it and it has worked pretty good. The input/output tables are flat, it has sufficient power to joint hardwoods and seems to stay setup well with extended use.

I didn't have much trouble setting up the fence. One thing I don't like about the fence is that once a board is about 5/8" or less in thickness it can slide under the fence on the output table. Not hard to deal with after you realize its happening. I rarely move the fence so once set it has stayed at 90 degrees. The adjustments are a little clunky. The knives are a PITA to set. I now remove the belt when setting the knives and that makes it a little easier. I use a couple of dial indicators to set the height, tedious but works.

All in all I am satisified as it does what I need, yields a smooth surface and I got it for $100 brand new and assembled from a guy who bought it, assembled it and then never used it and was moving out of state. I think $100-125 is the right price.

Oh yeah, you'll need to do something for dust and chip collection. It pretty much sucks with this machine.

[dewi1219]

This was his reply to my $100 offer:
"The Jointer is in excellent condition and works perfectly. I must stick with the listed price since I paid $249 for it and it works as well today as it did when I brought it home. I believe the listed price is very fair."

I thanked him and passed.

I also noted what a brand new one could be had for

[messmaker]

I would hit him with $120. It is not your fault he paid retail for something that is on sale every other month(6"model). With a coupon it can be had for $170 + tax. Time is on your side.