Steelex ST1001 jointer?

[dbhost]

I noticed that Grizzly has picked up the Steelex ST1001 6" jointer, and with shipping, it would lay me back less than $320.00. Not bad for a floor model jointer, and it looks a LOT better than the Central Machinery model...

As regulars here would know, I am trying to make sure I can squeeze into a shed / workshop, and from all of the drawings I have done, it looks like a 6" jointer will work, but the ultra long bed, or 8" models just won't make the cut fit wise...

Anyway, so I am looking at this Steelex jointer, and realized something, while I have heard the Steelex name, I am not familiar at all with them. So... Realizing the shortcomings of a 6" jointer by nature of the 6" capacity limit, has anyone here used this jointer, and if so, do they like it?

Of course part of me says just keep using the planer / jointing sled. But part of me wants to make the process easier... And I know for wider stock I am back at the planer / sled setup again... Am I really buying much ability by spending the $$ on a jointer?

[drumpriest]

It's a pretty valid question, honestly, if you are really comfy w/ the planer sled, and it's fast enough for you. A jointer will help with edge jointing a bunch, quick, easy, dead on flat. I personally edge joint up to 4' on my jointer, past that I use a router and straight guide, it's just easier for me. I have an 8" Jet, and I use it to face joint too, especially when cutting veneer, but if your planer sled is super easy to use, might do as well.

[dbhost]

Flattening wider stock with the planer sled is okay, but slow... And I am no fan of edge jointing on the router table. I CAN do it, but it is a PITA for me... The main thing a jointer would buy me is quick, accurate edge jointing, squaring stock, and flattening most of my band saw resaw found stock... (most of it is in the 4-6" wide range.. limb cutoffs, firewood quarters and such...)

And YES I would like that new honest to goodness jointer / planer machine, the Jet JJP12, but honestly, that is just flat out of my budget for quite a while... (Hey you never know, I could win the lotto!, oh yeah, I need to buy tickets for that right?)

[drumpriest]

Yeah, router table jointing is ok, but not great. When I do larger stock, I certainly don't use the router table, I do it like this...

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...550#post354550

[ragswl4]

I noticed that Grizzly has picked up the Steelex ST1001 6" jointer, and with shipping, it would lay me back less than $320.00. Not bad for a floor model jointer, and it looks a LOT better than the Central Machinery model...

That jointer appears to be the same as the Delta JT360.

[LCHIEN]

using a good and properly tuned and appropriately sized jointer is a pleasure.
I recommend it over any other method.